Free Reckless Destiny by Teresa Southwick Page B

went from puppy-dog eager to the sorriest-looking excuse for a soldier Kane had ever seen.
    Cady crossed the room. “I saw you looking at your watch, Kane. Are you ready to go?”
    He’d been ready three hours ago.
    “Are you?” He studied her. Her undamaged eye paled in comparison to the purple one, and it was hard to tell if he saw shadows of fatigue beneath it. But he thought he did. “You look tired.”
    “I am, a little.”
    “Doesn’t surprise me.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “Nothing.” He realized there was a sharp edge to his tone he hadn’t intended to put there.
    “Oh, for pity’s sake. Tell me what’s eating you.”
    “Nothing.” He shrugged as casually as he could. “Just that with all that dancing, you’re bound to be tired.”
    When she slid him a questioning look, he realized his tone was still a little sharper than he’d intended.
    “If you’re ready,” she said, “I’ll just say good evening to the major and his wife.”
    “I’m ready.”
    He watched her go. When she joined him again, the other men looked envious. He also saw what he could only describe as hunger in their expressions. He didn’t blame them. He’d reacted the same way to Cady at first. He’d managed to control his feelings. It was a damn good thing he’d been the one to escort her tonight. She had nothing to fear from him.
    But then he remembered the violence that had flashed through his mind as he’d watched the men dance with her. Maybe it was him she should stay away from.
    Outside her quarters, Cady pressed her back to one of the cottonwood poles holding up the ramada. A pleasant breeze sent the smell of mesquite and desert sand to her as it cooled her cheeks. She looked up at the night sky and sighed. The sight was breathtaking: stars twinkled brilliantly on a midnight-blue background.
    Kane stood beside her, his arm nearly brushing her shoulder, so close she could feel the heat of his body. For half a second, the masculine scent of him pulled at her, urging her closer. She swayed toward him, then stopped herself. She’d made a fool of herself once over him. She wouldn’t again.
    He didn’t seem inclined to leave, but she could feel the tension between them.
    “You haven’t said a word since we left the reception. Is something bothering you, Kane?”
    “No.” He pushed his campaign hat back, and shecould see his face in the moonlight. His mouth tightened, and she knew he wasn’t being honest with her.
    “Something’s wrong. Out with it, captain. That’s an order.”
    He looked at her sharply. “Would you like to tell
me
about this literary society you’re planning?”
    “You heard about that?” She was very excited about the way the men had received her idea. “I proposed the concept of reading books and meeting once a week to discuss them. All the people I met tonight were terribly enthusiastic.”
    “Were these people all men?” His voice was thick with sarcasm.
    His attitude confused her. What if they were men? “Men and women both were excited about the idea. I get the feeling that boredom can be a problem here. Everyone needs activities to keep busy. I expected the women to be receptive to the idea. But even the men seemed eager to read—or to learn to read if they can’t.”
    “You don’t get it, do you?” His eyes were dark with intensity. “Those men would read dress patterns if it meant they could get close to you.”
    “Fiddlesticks.”
    “Cady.” He stared at the sky for a moment as if he was trying to control his temper. “They’re not looking to books to fix their discontent. They’re looking to you.”
    “Well, I
can
help. I can read books and recommend ones I think they’d like. We can talk about them—”
    “Cady, they don’t want books, they don’t want to read, and what they want to do doesn’t require discussion.”
    She gasped and felt her cheeks burn. “If you’re saying what I think you’re saying, you’re wrong. Why would any of them want