Free Angel Gone Bad by Sabine Starr

watched her twine her hair around one hand and lift it up on the top of her head so she could fan the back of her neck with the other hand. The movement pushed up her breasts so he could see the rosy pink edges of her nipples. If he’d been hot and hard before, now he felt like he’d jammed a log between his legs.
    â€œWouldn’t they?” Angel dropped her hair and her arms, leaning forward. “Rune! Are you listening to me?”
    He crashed back to earth, struggling to recall her words. “Let’s see. A deputy’s gone missing and you want to find him.”
    â€œTate Thornton. Nice guy. Verity is frantic with worry.”
    â€œShe ought to be. How long’s he been gone?”
    â€œThree months.”
    â€œOdds aren’t good.”
    â€œI know. But even if he’s not alive, I need to find out what happened to him. He was after the Badger Gang.”
    Rune opened his eyes wide in surprise. “Did you say—”
    â€œThat’s right. Everybody’s heard of that Badger Gang. But nobody’s been able to catch them. Tate went after them.”
    â€œHe could still be alive. If he’s running with them, he can’t just walk away.” Rune felt like a ripe plum had fallen into his hands. This gave him another trail to follow to the Badgers.
    â€œI hope that’s true.” She held out her hand to shake. “So, do we have a bargain? I’ll help you with the V Gang if you’ll help me find Tate.”
    â€œWe already have a deal.”
    â€œWell, I don’t much like that one.” She shrugged, still holding out her hand. “This one’s better.”
    â€œTell you what, I’ll agree to this one, but only if you agree to abide by the first one, too.” Rune had to wonder if what she’d told him was the truth, or if like him, she had other, secret motives. Either way, she’d be easier to handle if she thought she was getting something out of the bargain. Not that his body gave a damn. It wanted what it wanted. Without some relief, he’d be a long time getting cooled down.
    â€œOh, all right. At least I’ll get help finding Tate.” She smiled, tilting up the corners of her pretty pink lips.
    Maybe he could persuade her to take a cool bath on a hot night. That’d get the clothes off her. But he didn’t think he could wait that long. He needed her now, in the worst way. He started toward her, ready to begin with a handshake and then continue up her body.
    â€œCome and get it!” Manny called as he stepped inside. “Mama Lou packed your order herself.”
    Rune jerked around, caught by surprise. He cursed his lack of attention. It could get a man killed in the Bend. Besides that, food was the last thing he wanted right now.

Chapter Fifteen
    T wo days later, Angel sat across from Rune in a train headed east for Paris. Early morning sunlight slanted in through the open windows, carrying the scent of wild flowers and buffalo grass. She listened to the click and clack of wheels on rails as she relaxed in plush comfort, so much more pleasant than buggy or horseback.
    With nobody the wiser, Manny had driven them to the Whites-borough depot, arriving by cock’s crow. That evening, Rune would rent a buggy and drive them back to the Bend.
    Manny couldn’t have been more helpful, especially since he’d never met her until now. Angel would thank Lady for this important contact when she next saw her. In the meantime, since he wouldn’t take payment from her, she was trying to think of the perfect gift for Manny as a thank you for all his help.
    They’d already passed through Sherman, Bonham, Dodd City, and were coming up on Honey Grove, reportedly named by Davy Crockett for the swarms of bees with their highly prized honey he found when he had camped there.
    She’d made several attempts at conversation with Rune, but each had died on the vine. Maybe he was feeling as uneasy