Free Seduction’s Canvas (Crimson Romance) by K.M. Jackson

clear of her dark rider.
    “Yes, anybody. Now, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression back in the alley with that kiss, but like you said maybe there are three of me and you hit up against the wild child tonight. The real me was the woman you met earlier and tonight was a mistake. We’re neighbors, and I do like my space so I think it’s best if you kept to yours.”
    She saw something flash in his eyes as he took in her words. “So space, huh? What are you, some sort of turn on, turn off, split personality? I have to admit I’m kind of confused.”
    She let out a frustrated growl. “What is there to be confused about? I think I made myself perfectly clear.”
    “Well, Miss Leighton, I’m not so sure. Not after the way we responded to each other in the alley. I think I’d better go in again just to be sure you really are who you say you are and not one of the others.”
    And with that his lips were on hers again, soft and hard and all controlling of the situation. And then, just like that, her arms were around his neck and damn it if she wasn’t freaking puddling up right there in the freight elevator. Turning from steel to Jell-O in his muscular arms.
    Hells blasted bells.
    Then, like a gift from above, something rattled, then lurched, sending them both swaying. It could have been the elevator, Sam thought, as it started to move again or it could have been her will as it crumbled to the floor.

Chapter 6
    “Oh, Miss L, I’m so sorry!”
    Samara blinked, eyes fluttering as if coming out of a dream as the elevator doors opened to the sound of the attendant’s anxious voice. When did they even stop? And what was she doing kissing Mark Thorn again? When her senses returned, she noticed that Mark had somehow smoothly pulled back. He’d uncoiled himself from her and was now coolly turned to the attendant.
    Time to get your crap together, Sam. You’re messing up and messing up big time.
She swallowed and cleared her throat. Told herself her lips weren’t still tingling and her nipples weren’t hardened to the point of near pain. She closed her eyes a moment then opened them again, facing forward, her back straight, her ice princess persona firmly in place. “What the hell is up with this elevator?” She paused and softened her tone at the look of fear on the attendant’s face. “I’m sorry, was it Carlos?”
    “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry too. This old elevator has been giving us some trouble lately.” He coughed. “Um, management knows about the problem. I’m sure it will be rectified. But you should be able to go up with no problem now. I’ll have Rick go up with you.” He gestured to a slim guy with sleepy, heavy lidded eyes and a way past five o’clock shadow. He had his tool belt slung over his shoulder and gave her a half nod and a snort that said, yeah, he would go up with her, but he really didn’t give a shit that she was the owner’s daughter, he was pissed about being woken up in the middle of the night.
    “We should be fine going up alone,” Mark rumbled next to her.
    She took a firm stance. “No. I’ve had enough for one night. I’d rather just get to my apartment and pack it in.” She gave the scuffed up elevator guy a nod. “If you don’t mind coming with us.”
    Rick shrugged and entered the elevator, extra close to Sam’s personal space. “I’m here already. No skin off my teeth,” he snorted out.
    Sam bit the inside of her bottom lip, fighting the urge to move back when Mark smoothly took her by the elbow and shifted her, placing his body between hers and elevator guy’s. They stood there for a moment and then Rick turned to them impatiently. “Floor?”
    She startled. “Oh, twelve. Sorry.”
    He turned back to the control panel, turning a master key then pressing their floor with a shake of his head. They whizzed up in silence until the elevator lurched to a jerky stop on their floor, the doors opening. “Thanks,” Mark said, turning in Rick’s