His Most Wanted Read Free

her. She’d lived with constant fear ever since the sheriff’s death—fear of getting caught, of course—but also worrying that at any time another man might put his hands on her…or pin her in a corner. This attractive stranger reeked of danger and had made her skin prickle and flush with heat when he’d dared to touch her hand.
    Shooting the thief’s foot hadn’t been easy in the dark with a moving target, and Wainwright was barely sober enough to stay awake. Obviously, he wasn’t a man to be trusted in any state, intoxicated or not.
    He moved closer. A red mark stood in relief on the hard edge of his jaw where the crook had struck him.
    His cool blue eyes measured her. “Lovely lady, I aim to sleep, but not before I buy one of those tokens of yours.”
    â€œNot tonight you won’t.”
    He wavered slightly on his feet and adjusted the satchel’s strap on his thick shoulder. “Now you wouldn’t deny my business here just because I stopped that man from stealing, would you? Way I see it, I just did you a favor. You allowed a thief to frequent your establishment until I took care of your problem. I could take my business elsewhere, but I’m willing to put this behind me. No harm was done.”
    â€œI’m sorry about what that man did. He’s never been to the Willows before. But it was no fault of mine.” She braced her feet, preparing for a challenge. “I don’t want any gunslingers—especially drunk ones—around my girls.”
    His mouth twisted in a half grin. “I’m not very drunk. I’m still far too sober, and I’m in need of a bed and a pretty lady to keep me warm. Maybe you could help me with that?”
    â€œGo somewhere else, sir.”
    He ran a hand through his hair. It fell in dark, shiny waves around his forehead. He leaned deeper into the doorway, his face hovering over hers so that she could smell the whiskey on his breath, as well as the smoke and leather from his travels. “You’d send me away…in this condition?” he slurred. “I promise, I’m not dangerous. I’ll let you hold my gun…”
    His cheek dimpled at his words, or perhaps at her reaction. She felt heat surging to her face at his double-entendre.
    â€œBesides—” he shrugged, “—after tomorrow, I won’t need it anymore.”
    She bit her tongue to keep from asking what he meant by that remark. Really, she ought to just shut the door in his face already.
    Intending to do just that, she reached behind her for the handle, but he stayed put, mocking her appraisal of him, inhaling her perfume as his eyelids drifted closed. He murmured, “If it’s your employees you’re worried about, take me to your room. My offer still stands. I’ll pay your fee. Unless you’re afraid…”
    Right now, the only thing she feared was her erratic pulse brought on by the gunman looming over her. Crazy. Drunkards had never unsettled her before. Of course, the sheriff used to keep them out of her establishment, for a price, but now that he was dead, she’d had to work to deter them. Maybe this particular drunk with his baby blues and smirking face couldn’t be too much trouble without a weapon.
    He swayed slightly, his lips coming near as if to steal a kiss. Her heart jumped in her throat. She never took customers herself, and tonight was no exception. She twisted away just in time, but her sudden movement seemed to catch him off-guard. He keened forward, losing his balance to fall face forward onto her rug.

Chapter Two
    Soft feminine laughter broke through the heavy fog in Kit’s head, bringing a smile to his face as he snuggled deeper into a feather pillow that smelled of sunshine. Hearing the women in the next room, he could rest assured he’d enjoyed himself the night before. Whatever pleasure they’d brought him had surely been worth the pain clanging