His Royal Pleasure Read Free Page B

con man and needed help? Katherine was sensitive to unfairness, having taken too many cheap shots from the tabloids over her ex-husband’s affairs.
    But what really affected her was the way his posture screamed confidence while his eyes revealed flashes of something deeper and more human.
    â€œOne week’s trial,” she finally said, and watched him relax slightly.
    â€œYou won’t regret it.”
    Katherine gave a grim smile and prayed.
    Â 
    Katherine awoke to darkness and the sound of someone scratching on her window screen. After a moment of terror she recognized old Mr. Larson’s husky voice. He wanted to borrow fishing lures from her uncle and had forgotten Jasper was gone for the summer. Katherine promised to find them, and Mr. Larson said he’d be back in twenty minutes.
    Pushing her hair from her face, she crept from her room to the hall closet. She shined the flashlight up the shelves to the top one and sighed. There sat the tackle box.
    She tiptoed to the kitchen and grabbed a bar stool. After positioning it in front of the closet, she climbed on top and reached for the box.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” a low voice said behind her.
    Startled, Katherine gave a muffled squeak. The bar stool shifted. She panicked until the stool was steadied and a strong arm wrapped around her waist.
    She took deep breaths to calm her racing heart. “What are you doing?” she whispered.
    â€œThat’s what I asked you,” Al said. “Do you know what time it is?”
    â€œNo. And please don’t tell me. I’ve got to get fishing lures for Mr. Larson. He and Uncle Jasper always go fishing together this time of year.” She moaned. “They’d leave about four o’clock in the morning.”
    â€œYou’re close. It’s actually—”
    â€œI said don’t tell me.”
    His chuckle rumbled pleasantly out of the darkness. His arm felt warm around her. She’d rested her hand on it and could feel his flexed muscles. Her back absorbed the sensation of his hard chest pressed against her. His musky male scent made her lightheaded. The darkness covered them like a blanket, and their hushed voices made the situation feel oddly erotic.
    â€œLet me go.”
    â€œNo. You might fall.”
    She started to argue, then realized it would be faster just to grab the tackle box and get down. She turned around with the tackle box in her hand. Al took it, and before she could bend down, he picked her up. She clutched his shoulders and slid down his body, feeling his bare chest against her breasts. Her hair shimmied over one of his shoulders.
    She looked into his face, and everything stopped. Her mind, her heart, her breath. Somewhere in her conscience the hint of a melody, stirring and poignant, teased her. At that moment all she could do was stand still inside his arms and watch.
    With one arm still wrapped around her waist, he picked up the long lock of hair and rubbed it between his fingers. “It’s so long,” he mused.
    Katherine’s mouth went dry. “I—I keep saying I’m going to cut it.”
    â€œNo, it’s you. Long red hair, slim little body, lots of warm smiles.”
    She sucked in a deep, desperate breath. Laughing nervously, she tried to step back. “How do you know anything about me? You just met me.”
    He released her slowly, and she could make out the intent look in his eyes even in the darkness. “You learn by watching and listening. I’ve done both.”
    â€œOh,” she said. She shook back the distracting hair, relieved to be out of his arms.
    â€œWhy are you managing this place on your own?” he asked.
    â€œMy uncle had a heart attack. I’m the only one he trusts.”
    â€œBut you don’t like it.”
    That stopped her. “Does it show that much?” She sighed. “I teach first grade during the school year and head up the children’s programs for Pirate