Laws of Attraction Read Free

Unzipped her damp jeans. Like ripping off a bandage, she yanked them down and off. She quickly hung her pants beside his. Hiding the can of pepper spray in one hand, she turned and raised the blanket with the other.
    Mirth danced through Dallas’ gaze and a smile flirted around his mouth. He chuckled.
    He was laughing at her? Humiliated, Mia crossed defensive arms over her not-so-ample breasts. She looked down.
    Oh.
    She was wearing her Bugs Bunny “What’s up, Doc?” panties and complementing demi-bra printed with tiny carrots. An early birthday gift from Valerie.
    The humorous moment helped ease the thick tension as she slipped beneath the covers with him.
    They lay face-to-face, gazes linked in the flickering firelight. She tucked the canister beneath her pillow as she breathed in Dallas’ scent … warm man and subtle, earthy pine. His languid smile slid across his mouth, flooding her veins with lava. Damn, the erotic images his scrumptious lips conjured up …
    Get a grip, Mia !
    She did not need a man. Not now, not ever. She would never give up her independence for some guy, and lose herself.
    Already too cynical for her years at age six, with both her heart and her body broken, Mia had vowed never to fall in love. So far, she’d managed to keep that promise with no hassles from Cupid. And the little imp with the bow and arrows had better stay away, or she’d drop-kick his diapered butt right back to Olympus.
    Besides, nothing was going to sidetrack her fight for redemption. Especially not a yummy hunk of man candy.
    A steely forearm encircled her waist, urged her nearer, and she stiffened. Dallas’ palm stroked her rigid spine. “Easy, darlin’. You’re gonna have to come closer to share body heat. I won’t bite.” He winked. “Unless you ask me to.”
    She gritted her teeth. “If you have any desire to father children in the future, you’d better keep your hands—and your fantasies—under control.”
    A deep chuckle vibrated his chest, now far too close for comfort. “You know, you remind me of a hunting hound I used to have.”
    “Gee, thanks. You really know how to wow a girl.”
    “Named her Dirty Harriet, after Eastwood.”
    Mia rolled her eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
    “She was the snappiest critter in three counties. Couldn’t get near her without getting bit. But once I’d earned her trust, she—”
    “Fetched your slippers and gazed up adoringly from between your feet?”
    “Harriet became my best friend. And my most loyal companion.”
    “Sorry to disappoint, cowboy. I flunked obedience school.”
    “Why am I not surprised?” He continued to rub her back in slow, soothing strokes. “You’re safe. Trust me, Mia. Go to sleep.”
    The wind’s gnashing teeth grabbed the cabin and shook it, rattling boards and shingles. But the storm outside was trivial compared to the emotional typhoon whirling inside her.
    Buffeted by the confusing tempest of attraction and wariness, Mia studied the intriguing man in her bed.
    She’d give Dallas McQuade temporary shelter. Give him her body heat. Give him transport to the city tomorrow.
    But she wasn’t about to give anybody her trust.
     
    * * *
     
    When dawn’s watery gray light crept through the windows, Dallas snapped to awareness with stiff muscles, throbbing ribs … and a raging boner.
    He was wrapped around a warm, curvy woman who smelled enticingly like his family’s rose garden in Tyler, Texas. A surge of desire detonated inside him, and he blinked away the sensual daze.
    Hellfire . He’d thought his libido had perished along with his other emotions. Now was a fine time for it to rise from the dead and distract him—when he was finally in position to settle the long overdue score.
    The sexy little Samaritan was a complication he hadn’t expected. A wild card in the lethal long-con he was running. No problem, he could bluff with the best. In his line of work, a player who couldn’t think on his feet had a short life