His Most Wanted Read Free Page B

chair.
    â€œOh.” A startled gasp came from one of the girls as his movement drew her attention.
    One by one, they followed her stare until all six were looking at him and smiling.
    â€œGracious, I must be the luckiest drunk who ever floated the Arkansas River, or—” he bowed slightly to the ladies, offering his warmest grin, “—is this Heaven?”
    His question brought laughter. One of the twins hugged the folded fabric against her chest. “Good morning. We washed your shirt.”
    â€œIt had some blood on it.”
    â€œWe hope you don’t mind.”
    â€œIt’s still a little damp, so we left it on the line.”
    The girls took turns speaking and giggling, their eyes appraising him.
    He pushed away from the doorframe and circled them. He simply had to see the face of the woman in the chair. “I’m much obliged, ladies. And I’m sorry if I made a scene outside last night. I seem to recall having a bit of a quarrel with one of your customers…”
    Reaching the seated woman, his heart sank at finding a younger lady, perhaps eighteen, with a bruise beneath her eye and a swollen lip. Her gaze held his, unblinking and wary.
    It saddened him to see why the lovely girl hid.
    He backed away, pushing his hands in his pockets and putting apology in his expression. This wasn’t the first time he’d seen the aftermath of violence in a brothel, and he was suddenly glad he no longer owned such a business.
    As long as the world held men like him, with money to spend on ladies, there would be those who preyed on the women too.
    â€œWould you like me to see if your shirt’s dry now?” One of the twins stood behind him as he turned on his heel. She batted her eyelashes and leaned into him, resting a hand on his arm.
    His body responded with unexpected urgency. Had the blonde not sated his needs last night? “No, ma’am. I have a clean one in my bag.”
    â€œOh. You’re not getting dressed so soon, are you?” Her twin marched up to stand beside him, frowning.
    Damnation. “Well, I could stay a—”
    â€œWe’re not open for business for another eight hours.” A woman spoke behind the group, her voice icy.
    All six scattered like leaves on the wind, casting longing looks over their shoulders at him as they returned to their housework, leaving him facing the woman of his heady recollections. Only now, a dour expression pinched her full lips, making her disapproval clear.
    â€œI can’t imagine why I locked my door this morning. I’m sure I wasn’t thinking.” He nodded in the direction of his vacant bedroom. “Why don’t we go back to bed? It seems early still.”
    The blonde—why couldn’t he recall her name?—glanced at the others as they piled stacks of linens in two baskets. Her blue-green eyes danced with mischief. “Go back to bed? Um, yes. We could, but…unfortunately, you’ve been summoned to the mayor’s office.”
    She turned and sent him toward the bedroom with a sweep of her hand. He caught the slight frown on her brow before she pasted on a benign smile.
    â€œThe mayor? I don’t even know the mayor. I just arrived in town yesterday.” He padded back into the room while the lady followed.
    In the sunlit bedroom, he could see her better, so he wheeled back, intending to do whatever he might to convince her to warm his bed again. Then he saw what she held in her hand.
    His Colt.
    â€œLady, I—”
    She smiled and extended the wooden grip to him. “You said I could hold it, Mr. Wainwright.”
    â€œ Cora .” He placed a hand over hers on the gun as her name put a new smile on his lips. Now he remembered. The tiny empress reigning over the Willows. Soft, smooth skin that smelled like spring.
    She trembled slightly, her eyes losing some of their confidence. “Go ahead. Take it.” She eased her hand from beneath his,