Free Captured By You: A One Night of Passion Novella by Beth Kery Page A

landscapes around here, he thought I’d like your book. He was right, by the way. Your talent amazes me.”
    “Thanks,” he repeated with a warm, natural grace that appealed to her just as much as his careless male sexuality. “What kind of camera do you have?” he asked, sitting down on the sofa situated before her bookcase and fireplace. He nodded with interest when she told him. “Can I see some of the photos you’ve taken?”
    Heat rushed into her cheeks. “Oh, no. I don’t think so. I’m such an amateur, Chance.”
    “Did you take that one?” Chance asked, pointing at the framed photo of spring flowers in a meadow, in-focus bluebells and goldenrod and daisies in the foreground, the background a blur of wild, vibrant prairie.
    “Yes,” Sherona admitted, suddenly wishing she could melt into the sofa and disappear.
    “It’s really good. You’re a natural,” Chance said so matter-of-factly that she blinked.
    “You’re just saying that.”
    He gave her that devilish Aussie grin, his hazel eyes sparkling with amusement, and took a sip of his tea. “You mean to get you into bed?”
    She snorted and rolled her eyes. “You already did that.”
    “Not really,” he said, reaching out and touching her hand. She turned it over and watched, mesmerized as he stroked her palm with a long finger. “I’ve never been to bed with you, and I haven’t spent anywhere near the time and attention I want to, making love to you. But that’s not the point. Your photograph is good, Sherona. You have a natural understanding of light and perspective.”
    “Thanks,” she said, genuinely flattered. She’d entered a sort of dazed trance, watching him stroke her palm, feeling it with every cell in her body. “I think I’ll make you dinner for saying that.”
    “Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any better.”
    She gave him a knowing glance, but grinned. He was an effortless charmer, to be sure. Still . . . it was nice to allow herself to be charmed for once. Chance was right. A day like today didn’t come around but once in a lifetime.
    Chance took a shower while she washed up and whipped together a chicken, wild rice and vegetable casserole. He came strolling out of the bathroom at the same time she was popping it into the oven. He looked more edible than her casserole, still buttoning up his shirt, his damp hair falling on his forehead.
    “Something smells great,” he said.
    “Well, it’s not me.” Sherona smirked. “I’m going to jump in the shower, too.”
    “Okay. I’ll set the table.”
    “Are you always this agreeable?” she asked, glancing at him sideways as she left the kitchen. He surprised her by reaching out and grabbing her hand. He pulled her back to him and suddenly she was in his arms, looking up into the amber, brown and green points of color in his eyes.
    “I’m making it my mission to be agreeable to you.”
    Her eyebrows went up in a wry expression. “Well you’re not doing a bad job, considering what happened in that meadow earlier. I’ve never done anything like that in my life,” she said in an impulsive burst of honesty.
    His eyelids narrowed as he studied her. Her pulse began to throb at her throat. “Then I really am the luckiest man around.” She laughed and started to break free of his arms, but he pulled her back against him. His clean, male scent filled her nose. “How come you never think I’m serious?” he asked.
    “I don’t want you to be serious. I want you to be honest.”
    His expression sobered. She tried to ignore the disappointment that went through her when he dropped his arms, freeing her.
    “What if they’re one and the same, Sherona?”
    She couldn’t think of how to respond, especially when he seemed so genuine.
    “Why did you?” he demanded suddenly.
    “Why did I what?”
    “Why did you agree to something so risky with a stranger?”
    She licked at her lower lip nervously. “I don’t know for sure,” she prevaricated.
    He stepped