Dark And Dangerous Read Free Page A

though. But I always
come back here. It pulls at me, like no other place ever has."
      "I know what you mean. I felt it the
first time I came here. I've never felt it before," Kayley said.
      He smiled at her. "What is your favorite
place you've ever traveled to? Apart from here, of course."
      "That's a difficult question. I don't
think I can name just one. My favorite thing about all places is their
diversity."
      "I feel exactly the same," Nathan
said.
      "You should turn right again up
here." Kayley pointed.
    Nathan turned onto a small
dirt road and followed it as it curved it's way through wild vegetation.
      "This is certainly secluded," he
said. The road opened up again and he saw the little house. It looked old and
charming. It had once been painted white, but now the paint was crackled and
peeling. He parked in front of it, and turned off the car. It amused him to see
the worried look in her eyes as he followed her to the front door. She unlocked
it quickly, then reached inside to switch on the lights. Unsure of what to do
next, she looked at him.
      "Good night, Kayley," he said it
lightly, with a hint of something beneath it. She wasn't sure what it was, but
it sounded a bit like amusement.
      "Good night, and thank you for driving
me home."
      "My pleasure." And he meant it. He
walked back around his car, and got in, as she stepped inside and closed her
door. He was very satisfied with the turnout of the evening.
      Inside, Kayley let out a breath she hadn't
been aware of holding. He was an unnerving man. Not like any man she had ever
met before. He practically oozed self-confidence.
    She heard his car drive
off. Tired, she walked straight into her bedroom and stripped out of her dress.
Despite her wish to just crawl into bed, she made herself hang up the dress first.
The old closet was the only other furniture, except her bed, in the bedroom.
Too tired to do anything else, she curled up on her bed and pulled the
comforter over her. She was asleep instantly.

 
                                                                           

 
 
 
    Chapter Three

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      The
light woke Kayley, as it filtered softly through the closed curtains. She
looked at her wristwatch and stretched comfortably. It was nearly nine. She
found sleeping for as long as she wanted, one of the perks of working for
yourself. Yawning, she got out of bed and showered before eating her breakfast
out on the back porch. She loved the view. The little cottage looked over a
small lawn that hadn't been tended in years. Wildflowers grew cheerfully among
the tall grass, before giving way to rough cliffs. At the base of the cliffs
the water frothed and swirled quietly today, but in a storm it would pound
against the land.
      Relaxing, she breathed in deeply, and enjoyed
her quiet morning. The small wild birds came hopping, looking for any crumbs
she might have dropped.
      Giving them the rest of her toast, Kayley got
up and went back inside. It was time to work. She called the tow truck, and
when that was settled, she got her painting supplies and carried them all
outside to set it up in the middle of the lawn. She wanted to paint the way the
lush overgrown land gave way to the sea. Catch the beauty of the Sun casting
its light over green foliage, and the deep blue Ocean. She lost her sense of
time and space as she gave herself completely to the task of painting.
      "That looks good."
      Letting out a squeal, Kayley spun around
lashing out with her paintbrush. Nathan barely caught her arm before she
impacted, and would have splattered him with paint.
      "Easy there. I called your name several
times, but you didn't notice." He smiled charmingly at her, making her
stomach clench uncomfortably. "Been painting all morning, have you?"
He released her arm, and she would have sworn she felt him caress her skin as
he let go.
      "Yes, I got a bit