Lone Rider Read online

  No one had ever moved her with just a kiss. Left her wanting more.

  So why did it have to be him? And why now?

  His face was turned toward her, and in sleep he looked irresistible. She studied the planes of his cheeks, the shadow of whiskers. She thought about the scar she had spotted on his side earlier, doubting it had its origins in medicine. An altercation, more likely.

  A long strand of his dark hair lay across her cheek. Unbound, it fell thick and straight to his shoulders. His damp hair smelled of shampoo, soap. He must have showered while she slept.

  It occurred to her that she really didn’t feel overly threatened by Dallas. Yes, he was bigger and stronger and could physically overpower her. But she didn’t feel personally endangered in his presence. Quite the opposite, she’d felt safe with him, especially when Snake and the others were around.

  She sighed. Of course none of that took away from the fact she was being held against her will.

  Still, a part of her wondered what had driven Dallas to a life of crime? Was he the product of a broken home? Had one or both parents abandoned him at a young age?

  What did it matter?

  She closed her eyes, clearing those thoughts. The bottom line remained unchanged. She was his prisoner, and her biggest concerns with Dallas remained unanswered. What did he intend to do with her and how would she get free?

  At that moment, Dallas coughed. Then he stretched. His medal, warm from his skin, fell forward against her. His ribs grazed hers, muscles taut. Then she felt the growing hardness -- lower -- and remembered he wore little. Very little. She struggled for air as his head raised.

  “Good morning,” he yawned.

  “You’re squishing me!”

  Frowning, he pushed up on his elbows, allowing her to draw a deep breath. While he was in no hurry to move off her, he didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. This new position brought his groin directly in contact with hers. The fit would be perfect.

  “Sleep well?” he asked, dropping his head back down to nuzzle her neck, as if waking up on top of her was a normal, everyday occurrence. Gently he bit the sensitive skin below her ear, then laved the injury with his tongue.

  Totally unprepared for his action, Tess jerked at the erotic gesture, inadvertently rubbing her lower body along the entire length of him. He hardened instantly, fully.

  Dallas drew a sharp breath, his teeth clenched as he struggled for control. “Don’t move. We’ve got a problem.”

  There was no mistaking the problem. She felt his erection burning against her abdomen, the length and breadth alarming her. He couldn’t really be that big, could he? She froze for what seemed like an eternity. When it became apparent he wasn’t moving, she spoke. “Let me up!”

  “Say please.”

  “Go to hell.”

  “Tsk. Tsk. Are you always this grumpy when you wake up, or is it just me?” He rubbed his nose against hers, Eskimo style, inhaling the delicate rose scent he adored. “Is that why you and Geoffrey broke up?”

  She huffed, twisting her face away. She and Geoffrey had been ill matched from the beginning, but it had suited Tess to maintain the relationship to keep her mother from interfering in her life. Madeline Marsh fancied herself a matchmaker and when she wasn’t busy finding herself a husband, she was looking for one for her daughter.

  Geoffrey was the last person Tess would discuss with Dallas...though she didn’t want him to know that. “Geoffrey and I are still very close.”

  “The man must be an idiot to have let you get away.”

  “He didn’t let me...oh! Quit trying to change the subject. I demand you let me up,” she began. “And you had no right to remove my clothes.”

  He stared down at her, brows raised. He found her defense of Geoffrey irritating. “Right now I have every right. Remember that. Besides, you slept better without them. The handcuffs, too. Though I know you won’t admit it.” He traced a finger lightly over her collarbone. “Holding on to you was the only way I could remove the cuffs and know you couldn’t get free.”

  She stared at him, wanting to disagree. “Let me go, Dallas. Please.” Placing her hands on his shoulders, she shoved but couldn’t budge him.

  He knew she asked for more than her freedom from the bed, from his embrace. A question he needed to deal with -- but not with her. He caught her hands, stretching them over her head and lowering his mouth to within inches of hers. He wanted to grind his hips against her again. Bury himself in her. Instead he grunted.

  “I can’t release you, Tess. You have to know that and accept it. But I promise no harm will come to you while you’re in my care.” Once more he felt torn. God he wanted her, he’d go crazy sharing a bed with her, holding her, touching her. But not taking her.

  Unable to withstand another minute of torture, he moved to get up. “You can have the bathroom first.” Bracing his hands on either side of her, he hovered above her.

  For a moment their eyes met, and she thought he would kiss her. And for a moment she wanted it.

  In the space of a heartbeat, he lowered his mouth to hers, brushing her lips in a soft whisper. Her hands pressed against his chest. Pushing him away...or drawing him closer?

  Then just that quickly he jumped free of the bed. Tess struggled to sit up, grabbing for the sheet. “Go ahead and get up,” he said gruffly.

  Stung by his sudden brusqueness, Tess snapped. “Am I allowed to use the bathroom in private? Or are you a pervert who likes to watch?”

  Too late, she bit her tongue. No sense antagonizing the man. She needed to stay calm and maintain control. She waited for him to retaliate, wondering if the wiser move might be to apologize.

  To her surprise Dallas ignored the remark, slipping a shirt over his head. She caught a brief glimpse of the bulge tenting his briefs before he turned away. “Help yourself,” he said.

  Snagging her jeans from the floor, she slid them on and hurried into the bathroom.

  The first thing she noticed, besides the fact that it was infinitely cleaner than the one at the main house, was no lock on the door. Then she noticed the small window. Her spirits soared. Yes! It would be a tight fit, but she could squeeze through. And then--

  Then she’d get as far away from the cabin as possible. She knew she wouldn’t get much of a head start so every second would have to count. Starting now.

  Moving quietly, she attacked the window pushing determinedly on the wooden sill. It didn’t budge. Damn! She shoved again, then looked closer, spotting the bent nail hammered into the frame. She tugged at it, barely able to grasp it with her fingers, finding it immovable.

  She needed something to pry the nail out. Scrambling back to the sink and turning on the water to cover the noise, she opened the mirrored medicine cabinet.

  To her surprise the cabinet contained her toiletries. He’d undoubtedly unpacked her bag. Shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics. Her razor was conspicuously missing. So were her tweezers. She was disappointed, yet it didn’t surprise her. Dallas struck her as a thorough man. He’d never have let her in the bathroom alone otherwise.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  “Just a minute,” she yelled, quickly splashing water on her face. With no lock he could have simply walked in. She supposed she should have felt grateful, but she didn’t. Opening the door, she found Dallas holding a neat stack of her clothes.

  “Any more dizziness?” he asked.

  “No.”

  He thrust the clothes at her. “Then go ahead and take a shower. The water’s good and hot, but it won’t last long.”

  Her first instinct was to refuse. Except what did that gain her? A shower and clean clothes would feel heavenly. Still she hesitated.

  “There’s no lock on this door,” she pointed out. What’s to stop him from barging in?

  Dallas shifted, leaning comfortably against the doorjamb. “After that pervert remark I ought to make you leave the door open. However, I’m a reasonable guy, and I’ll give you the privacy you need. As long as it’s no
t abused. Just remember that if I want to come in, nothing can stop me. Besides, if you got dizzy and fell--”

  She snatched her clothes from him. “I won’t!”

  He glanced at his watch. “Good. Then you’ve got ten minutes. Take it or leave it.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Even though Dallas allotted her ten minutes for a shower, Tess only spent half that time beneath the water. First she tried again to pry the nail free with her fingertips. Unsuccessfully.

  Damn, what she wouldn’t give for a claw hammer. Or a telephone. And a gun. Frustrated, she threw open the bathroom door.

  A delicious aroma greeted her. Food. Her stomach growled, reminding her of exactly how long it had been since her last meal. She turned toward the kitchen, frowning at the man who controlled too much of her life.

  Dallas looked up, noting her scowl. Most people would have already buckled under the strain. Not Tess. Her moxie pleased him. And challenged him.

  His glance swept to her stockinged feet then slowly traveled up as he recalled his plan. Exploitation. Seduction. The assignment wouldn’t be a problem on his part. He was keenly aware of her. Could still taste her. And fair or unfair, her survival hinged on his gaining her confidence, making her dependent.

  “Feel better?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  His eyes held hers. “Head still hurt?”

  “A little.”

  He grabbed a bottle of aspirin from a shelf and tossed it to her. “Take two. It’ll help.”

  She started to toss the bottle back, then stopped. Her head did hurt. Bad. Moving past him to the sink, she ran a glass of water.

  “Chow’s almost ready. Sit there.” Dallas pointed to a chair, then turned back to the stove. “Eggs, bacon, toast. Nothing fancy.”

  She ignored the chair, leaning instead against the counter. The shower had revived her, left her in the mood to pick a fight. “You cook for your prisoners? How quaint.”

  “Only the skinny ones.” He gave her a quick once-over then looked away again. “Personally, I prefer a woman with a little more cush on her tush.”

  Tess opened her mouth, then closed it, glad to know she didn’t fit his image of an ideal woman. Ignoring his back, she surveyed the cabin, the urge to escape stronger than ever. She studied the brand new dead bolt on the front door. On the off chance it was unlocked, she doubted she’d make it far without a better head start. Besides, where would she go?

  The last thing she wanted was to get away from Dallas only to run into Snake. Or Bogen. For now she needed to be patient and learn the lay of the land. She also needed to make sure no one was around when she made her break.

  “Hello?” Dallas stood right beside her, skillet in hand. “Scrambled okay?”

  She jumped, flustered that he’d caught her lost in thoughts of escape. Needing distance, she took the chair farthest from him. “Yes.”

  Her eyes widened when Dallas set a plate in front of her and slid into the chair next to her. She stared at the plate. There was enough bacon to clog an elephant’s arteries. And it was extra-crispy -- just the way she liked it.

  She pushed the plate away. “I’m not hungry.”

  Dallas’ hand closed over hers, stilling the motion. “Starving yourself won’t change the situation.”

  Tears stung her eyes at his unnecessary reminder. She glowered at him. His tendency to be thoughtful confused her. And infuriated her. “What will change it?”

  “For now, nothing.”

  “Don’t say that!” She snatched her hand away. “You had no right to bring me here. If you’ve got a shred of decency left in you, you’ll let me go.” Her voice lowered in desperation. “Please. I’ll do anything.”

  “Anything?” Dallas looked at her. Fueled by the memory of her beneath him in the bed, his imagination supplied searing images laden with hot potential. Anything... What would she look like wearing only willingness and all that long golden hair?

  He shook himself mentally, yanking hard on his control. Not for the first time he felt the sting of regret over his actions. But that didn’t alter a thing. His path was carved in stone, and now she was part of it. A complicated part. And it was going to get personal.

  Bogen had been right. She’d definitely gotten under his skin. Scrubbed free of dirt and makeup, he found she was even more attractive, her skin flawless, her cheeks delicate. And as he’d originally thought, she did have blue eyes. Dark blue, with long spiky lashes.

  And right now those lashes were trembling as she attempted to hold back tears. She was angry and frightened. He didn’t blame her. She had to be bordering on a breakdown. She needed food. She needed comfort.

  He needed to comfort her.

  “Come here.”

  The silky undertone of his voice caught Tess by surprise. She opened her mouth to refuse, then stopped. Exactly what was she willing to do to gain her freedom? How far would she go? Was she willing to barter her body?

  She swallowed, remembering the kiss he’d given her earlier. A part of her had been gratified by it. Without a doubt the man was accustomed to pleasure. Giving and taking.

  And there was nothing to stop Dallas from taking. As if that wasn’t enough to cope with, Bogen’s threat came back to taunt her. I can take you back if you’re a problem. What would happen if she didn’t please Dallas? Would he hand her over to Bogen? Could she survive that?

  Under the circumstances, she’d do whatever it took to remain with Dallas. To stay alive. To stay alert for an opportunity to escape.

  She peeked at Dallas from beneath her lashes. She didn’t sense the same violence in him that she did in Snake and the others. Perhaps she could even appeal to him without...going all the way. He stared at her openly, his silvery eyes giving away nothing of his thoughts. Or his intentions. He was seated to the right of her, close enough to touch if she stretched out her hand.

  “Come here.” The order was repeated. Softly.

  Swallowing nervously, she climbed to her feet. In two faltering steps she stood directly in front of him. Dallas took her hand, tugging her closer till she stood between his spread legs.

  “Sit.”

  He indicated that he expected her to sit on his lap. She lowered her bottom until it made contact with his muscled thigh. She kept her eyes locked on his, wary, recalling the first time she saw him, when she’d been struck by what a handsome man he was. Potent. Sensual. Dangerous.

  Dallas’ body responded to her nearness, his jeans growing increasingly uncomfortable. She held herself as far away from him as possible, sitting as stiff and rigid as certain parts of his body. He knew she couldn’t be comfortable. And it reminded him that she didn’t want to be there. That he shouldn’t be doing this.

  But he needed for her to get used to him. He needed to establish a strong bond between them, and quickly. Her survival depended upon it. The fact that he wanted her was secondary.

  Yeah, right.

  “Relax.” She couldn’t weigh more than his bed pillow. Reaching forward, he tugged her legs over his, drawing her tightly into his lap. She struggled, accidentally rubbing her palm against his groin. When she recognized the hardness, she stilled, snatching her hand away as if it burned.

  Under different circumstances, Dallas would have taken her hand in his and stroked it up the entire length of him, in an intimate introduction. Did she like it fast or slow? Instead he reached for a piece of bacon.

  “Open,” he commanded.

  Caught off guard, Tess obeyed, automatically biting when he stuck the food in her mouth. It could have tasted like tree bark for all she knew. Her awareness was focused on the ridge pressed against her thigh. It felt hard and hot. Could she really go through with it? Use sex in exchange for freedom? And live with herself afterward?

  “Chew.” Dallas watched her, knew she felt his erection and wished he could read her mind. Did she moan or scream? He’d bet he could make her scream...

  She chewed mechanically, then swallowed. Dallas held up a mug of coffee. “Hot,
” he warned, watching as she took a cautious sip. Blistering hot. Would he melt inside her?

  He offered the mug again. “More?”

  When she shook her head, he set the coffee aside, shifting his position slightly. Pushing her away. He couldn’t take much more of this himself.

  As soon as Tess swallowed the coffee a forkful of eggs appeared. “Open for me,” Dallas quietly urged.

  “You don’t need to feed me,” she whispered, and drew her legs closed.

  “You said you’d do anything. Right now I want you to eat.”

  Right now, her mind echoed. The what about later hung between them. “I can feed myself.”

  “Humor me.”

  Whether she wanted to admit it or not, the food did taste wonderful. And so far his requests had been reasonable. With little choice anyway, she opened her mouth, content for the moment to eat.

  When she’d gone through half the eggs, Dallas grabbed a triangle of toast. She was about to tell him she was full when he put the toast to his own mouth and bit off a corner. Silver eyes held blue ones captive as the piece of toast turned, the already bitten end offered to her. She knew exactly what he was doing. Teasing. Testing.

  The vague sense of well-being vanished. Cold reality set in once more. She would do this. She could do anything necessary to survive. She stared at his lips. He had a perfect mouth. A perfect kiss.

  The toast shifted closer.

  Very slowly she nibbled one edge, in her mind tasting him again.

  The toast dropped, forgotten, as Dallas drew her close. In the space of a heartbeat, he lowered his mouth to hers, brushing her lips in a soft whisper. He kissed her, drawing his tongue lazily, reverently, across her bottom lip.

  She pretended to enjoy the kiss. Or at least that was her intent.

  Her lips throbbed under the tenderest of assaults as his fingers slowly threaded through her hair. He turned her head slightly, positioning her expertly, then drawing her closer. As he deepened the kiss, his teeth gently caught her lip, tugging, demanding entry, his rogue tongue delving deeply into her mouth when she finally opened to him.