Free The Wild Belle by Lora Thomas Page B

And I’ll have ya know this is how I act all the time, sa don’t go about tryin’ to change it with your fancy-smancy English lord rules.”
    A confused looked crossed Michael’s face. “What on this earth are you talking about?”
    “What? Didn’t your uncle tell you? We’re engaged, so don’t go about tryin’ to change me either.”
    “Engaged?!” Michael rebutted with shock. “I think you have me mistaken for someone else.”
    “Are you or are you not an Earl?”
    “I am not.”
    “Really. So no nobility in your bloodline anywhere?”
    “My father is an Earl, but I am not.”
    “See . . . you’re an Earl,” she angrily spat.
    Michael looked deep into her eyes and could see her fury. She obviously was against this marriage she was referring to. But how was he going to convince this woman that she had the wrong man.
    “Andi, I believe you have mistaken me for—”
    “No, I have not. And let me remind you again that I will not change for you or for any man.”
    “Let’s bet on it.”
    “What?”
    “It’s obvious that you like to make wagers.” Michael walked away from her and headed towards the wooden crate. He bent over and picked up one of the corn-filled sacks. “If you hit the hole, then I will let you carry on as you are accustomed to.”
    “And if you hit it?” she asked cautiously.
    “Then you kiss me.”
    Andi’s eyes grew wide. “What?”
    “Well, it’s only fair, Pixie. After all, you did trick me into getting out of that lake unclothed.”
    “Have you ever played before?”
    “Never.”
    “Deal,” Andi replied cockily. She walked over to Michael and took the sack out of his hand. She walked over to the side of the opposite board and tossed the sack. It landed and slid towards the hole. It did not go in. It stopped barely hanging on the edge but blocking the hole.
    “That’s a perfect blocker if I have ever seen one,” Andi bragged.
    Michael just looked at her and then the tossed sack, unsure of the terminology she was using. He bobbed the corn sack up and down in his hand, becoming familiar with its weight. He stood on the opposite side of the board of Andi and stared intently at the target. Taking a slow deep breath, he tossed the corn sack. It sailed over top of Andi’s and landed straight into the hole. A satisfied grin crossed Michael’s face.
    “Not too bad for my first try.” He turned towards Andi and noticed her face grow red with anger. She did not like to lose. “Now, time to pay up.”
    Andi looked nervously around. “Not here, everyone will see.”
    “Is that a problem?”
    “Well, yeah, my parents would skin you alive,” she replied, storming over to a large pine tree in the far corner of the cleared lot.
    Michael followed her. He watched her backside sway from side-to-side in a tantalizing manner and wondered if she was doing that on purpose. His eyes traveled upward and noticed that her hair was mid-way down her back and was swaying with her hips.
    She looked over her shoulder and ordered, “Well, hurry up and get this over with. Ya think you’d had plenty of kisses with your looks, but I guess not if you’re wantin’ to kiss me.”
    Michael gave a chuckle as he passed Andi and pulled her to the tree. He held her fast in his arms. She tried to pull free, but his muscular arms held her fast.
    “I have had many kisses, but none from lips quite as sensuous as yours.”
    “I think the colonel spiked your drink.”
    “No, my dear. You see, your lips beg to be kissed and kissed often. Have you had many kisses yourself?”
    Andi just stared at the handsome man. Truth be told, no one had ever tried to kiss her. They were afraid of her or put off by her outgoing nature. That thought put sadness in her eyes. She looked up at Michael and her heart began to flutter. This handsome man wanted to kiss her. Before she could respond to his question, he leaned down.
    “Let me show you,” he whispered against her lips.
    His lips gently came to hers, and