Mountain Devil Read Free Page A

and hide. Startled, she summoned her remaining strength for the struggle, angry that his hand was again covering her mouth.
    “Stop fighting me!” Ed hissed into her ear, pressing her against the ground.
    Ella struggled to scream, but his hold was firm.
    She was belly down in the forest, with Ed straddling over her, preventing her escape.
    “Hold still right now,” he said into her ear, “or I’m going to have to teach you a lesson.” Although she was outraged, Ella paused.
    Truthfully, she wasn’t sure what teach you a lesson meant, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
    “Good girl,” he said, whispering gently into her ear. “Now, the next time you give me any trouble, you’ll be going over my knee for a sound spanking.” Ella wanted to scream, but logic kept her silent.
    This man—Ed Peters—was the devil. He had no right to touch her, no right to teach her a lesson. It was outrageous, but it was so outrageous that she believed it.

    When Ed lifted her up, the harsh expression covering his face left her shuddering. He was large and handsome, and completely intimidating. A sudden breeze tangled with the short locks of his dark brown hair. But his gold-flecked blue eyes remained unmoving and angry as he glared down at her.
    “Please, Mr. Peters,” she said, as respectfully as possible. “Please listen to me for a moment before we continue.”
    A curious shadow crossed his face, and his hard eyes relaxed gradually. “All right, little lady. Go ahead. Say what you have to say.”
    “Wait and turn me in tomorrow. I don’t want to get married today, please understand…have a heart!” Ella lowered her head, anxiously awaiting his reply. It was unnerving to be at the mercy of a total stranger, especially one as handsome and rough as Ed Peters.
    “And just what am I supposed to do with you for a whole day?” he asked, clearly not amused by her suggestion.
    A brilliant thought crossed Ella’s mind, as sudden as a flash of heat lightning. “My parents are rich,” she said. “If you wait a few days to turn me in, the reward will only increase.” It was the truth. Both her parents and Brandon’s parents had more money than they could spend. The reward would increase and increase.
    A light crossed the bounty hunter’s face.
    Obviously, he understood and was weighing his options. Thousands of butterflies fluttered in Ella’s stomach as she waited.

    “I’m parked on the other side of the bridge, near the welcome center lot. We will walk, normally , toward my car. You will get inside without fighting me. If you can manage to behave long enough for that, I will consider your offer.” Ed released Ella and stepped back, just daring her to run.
    “It’s a deal,” Ella said, reaching a hand toward Ed. When he reluctantly shook her hand, she added,
    “You won’t be sorry, Mr. Peters. The reward will increase.”
    “Just remember, Ms. Emerson, if you try to escape, I will teach you that lesson we talked about.” His eyes smoldered, and he seemed larger and more intimidating than before.
    Ella shivered but managed to nod. She would keep her end of the deal, for now. Even as other hikers passed them on the trail, Ella kept her cool and walked ahead of Ed. But to her surprise, when they reached his SUV, Ed shoved her into the back—
    behind the same wire caging she’d seen in police cars.
    “The back doors won’t open from the inside,” he said as he settled into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up, Ms. Emerson.”
    “You can call me Ella,” she said.
    “Fine. Buckle up, Ella.” His voice was sarcastic.
    But then with more seriousness, he added, “And you can call me sir .”
    An unexpected wave of arousal coursed through Ella’s center. Ed Peters was the most intimidating, most intriguing, and most handsome man she’d ever met. Though she wished to be miles away from him, another part of her ached to be closer. No man had ever threatened to spank her before, and something about that excited her