Sweet Surrender (Mercers of Montana Book 1) Read Free

would wrap around his fingertips where they escaped her careful coif at her temples, and he knew they would feel softer than silk. He had to shake off the thought, but he couldn't take his eyes off her.
    His betrothed. For one wild moment he let the longing flow through him. He could take her arm, walk with her through the streets of Virginia City, and watch as people smiled at her.
    At her, not me , Jackson thought as he crossed his arms tight across his chest. He needed to get her to Mercer Ranch and force his mother to end the agreement. He had to make sure she got out of the betrothal and as far away from Virginia City and him as possible. He would ruin her, and the thought was enough to bury the brief longing deep inside.
----
    P ainfully out of place in the dust of Main Street, Olivia took a deep breath to relax the tightness in her chest. Still, her bright green eyes were polite as she surveyed the crowd. Everyone's avid interest in her was enough to bring a rosy blush to her cheeks, but it was his eyes that made her feel like she was on fire.
    Dark stubble surrounded a full and frowning mouth and accentuated the strong, square jawline. Olivia was lost in the black tangle of his hair, free of any ribbon or leather tie, shockingly wild compared to the carefully smoothed gloss the men maintained in London. Her blush deepened as she glanced across the white of his linen shirt, shocked by more black hair just above the loose top button.
    The man was rough, rugged, and Olivia knew if she got close to him he would smell of leather. The thought stole her breath, and her next heaving inhalation made her heart buck like a mustang.
    The look he gave her showed no manners, none of the calculated class she was used to. Under the bright blue sapphire of his eyes, all propriety melted away and was replaced by a thrumming chord within that she'd never experienced before. It wasn't the mild interest and hope the brown-eyed doctor had stirred, but a quivering need. Yearning.
    Olivia slipped behind Lady Dubuque's parasol. He was different, his wide shoulders cut as rough and ready as the West itself. And that was exactly what she wanted and exactly what she would never have.
    Matilda turned back to walk with them and almost jumped out of her sensible shoes when she saw the man Olivia had been studying. The groom gave her the smallest shake of his head and Matilda swallowed hard.
    Lady Dubuque clapped her hands, starling Olivia from her thoughts. "Come, my dear, let us find your Jackson Mercer."
    The groom stepped forward and gracefully bowed low as a hush rippled through the crowd. "I've been sent to escort you to Mercer Ranch." The townsfolk clung on his every word.
    Lady Dubuque considered him quietly, but Olivia's shoulders slumped in disappointment. "A groom? He sent a groom to escort us?"
    Tossing his wild mane in the wind, the groom's laughter erupted and prevented even the bravest townsperson from correcting her mistake. "Come, milady, your carriage awaits."

2
    O livia pulled down the lace cuff of her sleeves and refused to give the groom a second glance. Still, he loomed so large on the other side of Lady Dubuque that she couldn't help but notice his long, easy stride. He appeared relaxed, his broad shoulders slouched and arms swinging loosely, but for the fingers of his right hand that curled. It seemed he was determined to stop himself from clenching his fist, but the battle was ongoing.
    Perhaps he, too, was afraid of her soon-to-be husband. Olivia recalled the glaze of fear on the highwaymen's faces and Matilda Brown's nervous laugh. Jackson Mercer. Her father knew next to nothing about him, except that Lady Dubuque approved.
    Olivia gave her chaperone a sideways glance and wondered again if her judgement was to be trusted. Lady Dubuque hummed a merry tune as she took in the sights. The younger lady had seen her look the same in the palaces of France and on the docks of San Francisco. Her chaperone always remained smiling