Read Online Running Hot by Helenkay Dimon - Free Book Online Page B

least Ward could do was put the ugly American stuff aside and appreciate that they weren’t crouched in a hole somewhere. “Sorry it’s not a luxury hotel, Your Highness.”
    He turned his frown away from the building and aimed it her. “What is that supposed to mean?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œIt’s sturdy and efficient. It works for me.”
    Maybe she’d misread him but she doubted it. “Doesn’t seem like it.”
    â€œI just thought . . .”
    Whatever came next was going to make her furious. She could tell by his uncharacteristic stammer. “What?”
    â€œYou’ll get pissed.”
    Just as she suspected. It was her turn to put her hands on her hips. Her stance now mirrored his as she prepped for the explanation. “You have nothing to lose. You’re not exactly saying things that make me like you right now.”
    â€œI’ve stayed in worse. Hell, I’ve slept in shanties and in an actual lean-to . . . outside in the snow. In a tree. Once in a net hooked to and suspended from the underside of a mountain.” His eyes sort of glazed over as if he were reliving those moments.
    Except for that last one, she could relate to all of it. “So?”
    â€œI thought you might pick something different.” He shrugged. “That’s all.”
    A red film clouded her vision. She could feel the heat bubble up inside her, and not the good kind. He’d managed to wipe out the need and replace it with fury. “Because I’m a woman and I need comfort?”
    He walked over. Stood right in front of her. “See, now. I knew you’d take that the wrong way.”
    â€œThere’s no good way to take it.” This was a trigger point for her. She’d dealt with so many men in her field who thought she should strip for the job, be quiet, and act as backup or arm candy. Never mind that she’d saved one or two of those twits from being killed.
    â€œLook, you don’t have anything to prove to me.” He reached over and took her hand. Uncurled each finger until she no longer held it in a fist. “You knocked me on my ass—”
    â€œTwice.” Remembering that put a few more points back in his column. The touching helped too.
    He played with her fingers, caressing each one with a light touch. “Right.”
    â€œThen I don’t get your issue with the building.”
    He dropped her hand and stepped back. “I’m going to stop talking about that now.”
    â€œThat would be good.” But it wasn’t. A chill ran over her as soon as he put distance between them. It made no sense in light of the dripping humidity. She refused to believe the feel of his hand could mesmerize her that quickly, that completely.
    The coldness doubled when he walked up the step and into the shack without her. While she watched from the doorway, he spread out a thin blanket over the mats made from pandanus palms and piled up to make a bed of sorts.
    â€œBack to work.” One by one he took out his weapons from behind his back and his pants pockets. Some of them were hers, but most were his. “I have two drop sites with more. Neither is near here, but I can get Ford to load up and meet us.”
    She leaned in the doorway with her arms folded across her stomach, fascinated just to watch the way his lean muscles stretched. That strange kick of interest came back. This time it pounded her, and she had to swallow to keep her voice steady. “Fine.”
    He glared at her over his shoulder. “Don’t do that.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe clipped one-word answers.” He swore under his breath. “It’s like we’re married.”
    That got her attention. Her arms dropped and she moved farther into the small room. “Have you been married?”
    He kept moving around, not giving her eye contact. “For about eight months when I was twenty-five.”
    â€œWhat are you