Black Hills Angel (Black Hills Series) Read Free

heart.
    ***
    Andy's conversation on her cell phone was distinctly short and from her tone, not at all pleasant. Although Matt was certain that nothing right now was pleasant for her. Had she gone from the frying pan into the fire? She stooped to tuck the baby blanket in tighter around her daughter, but Matt could have bet that it was more for show than the baby's comfort. When she turned, the look she gave him caused his heart to speed up and bump along as it had before the ringing phone. She looked so forlorn, so beat down. Her green eyes sparked with a hidden strength as her chin rose ever so slightly.
    He had always rose to a challenge. Suddenly her happiness seemed to become a priority for him. In reality he knew he shouldn't be here in her apartment alone with her. He was a stranger! Something pulled him to her regardless. He would have to contemplate his honor later.
    Matt cracked a come-on-over-here grin and raised his palm out to invite her closer. He knew she wanted to. She hesitated to the point when he thought she might step away and back into her shell. Feeling his confidence sinking, he began to lower his hand. That did it. It seemed to break whatever inner contemplation she was having and she stepped forward.
    "I don't bite. At least not on the first date." Matt chuckled at her startled expression. She raised a brow.
    "This is a date? I am sorry. I was unaware."
    He smiled at her witty comeback.
    "I thought we were getting off to a pretty good start." His hand slid up the curve of her shoulder to hollow between her neck and chin. She swallowed hard.
    "Do all your dates cry on the first one? Let alone bring their infant daughter who is having a meltdown as well?"
    He laughed loudly at that, wincing as she looked suddenly to Harper's carrier. Still asleep. That was close! Andy looked back to him with a very motherly warning. He chuckled more softly this time.
    "There is always a first time besides I am pretty good at making the tears go away."
    She lowered her eyes at that and he chuckled at her blushing cheeks. There was such a familiarity with her. He couldn't put his finger on it and he wasn't sure he wanted to dissect this. It filled him with an amazement that only seemed to broaden further as they stood there. In the deepest recesses of his mind he wondered what it would feel like to know this woman for years instead of minutes. Honestly he thought he would still be hanging on her every word.
    Matt pulled her hand closer to his lips and brushed them across the back of her knuckles. Grapefruit and honey. There was a sweetness to the tangy scent. He liked it. Raising his chin, he took pride in noting that she held her breath. Her green eyes had grown more intense, more brilliant in the seconds they stood there. It hit him hard and he felt it all the way down to his toes. He wondered if she felt it to.
    ***
    Andy couldn't define the chaos going on inside her. She felt like she was floating, but her body felt heavy. Her breath was locked in her throat while her breasts felt achy. The flesh along her stomach came alive with his breath on her fingers. Their banter had started a fire that licked to her very core. The intensity of the feelings left her panicked and unbelievably turned on.
    Shit! You cannot go there, Andy! You cannot! You swore this would never happen again!
    She swallowed hard and stepped back. She thought she saw confusion in his eyes, but it vanished with something very close to relief. It was difficult not to notice the fast pace with which his chest rose and fell. Matt was as amped up as she was. She gave a weak smile.
    "I am so sorry. I am a mess, obviously and," Andy shrugged her shoulders,” I have no idea what I am doing." She couldn't retreat far without bumping into the back of the couch. The countertop island was behind Matt as he watched her carefully. She swallowed.
    "I can honestly say I understand that feeling. I am a bit out of my depth here too." Matt raised his own shoulders