Reckless Heart by Barbara McMahon Page B

near would lead. Clamping down on those thoughts, she forced herself to keep her stance.
    Josh stared at her and wished he could say the same thing. He didn’t trust her any farther than he could throw her, but he wanted her.
    Suddenly every instinct he owned honed in on the slender woman standing so boldly before him. He hadn’t felt like this since he’d discovered Jeannie’s betrayal.
    He didn’t like it. He had no intentions of getting tangled up with this bit of fluff just to ease an itch. Lust he could control. And there was nothing else between them.
    “—with Lance.”
    “What?”
    “I said there’s no need to show me the ranch on the weekend, I’ll go with Lance.”
    “Like hell you will. I’m the boss of the spread, and I don’t want you and Lance mixing it up. If you need to see the ranch, I’ll take you.”
    “Well, we wouldn’t want to think I’m making a play for you, would we?”
    She smiled up at him with so much mockery in her look he wanted to wipe the expression off her face. His hands fisted at his sides and he found it almost impossible to remain where he stood.
    “I’d know.”
    Her smile faltered for a split second, then she upped the wattage. “I’m sure you would, cowboy. You probably have women coming on to you all the time. Gets old, does it?”
    “Nothing I can’t handle.” Slowly he relaxed his hands, stepped closer, his eyes narrowed with intent.
    She stepped back.
    “Too late, sugar,” Josh muttered as he reached out and slid his hand beneath the silky hair to the nape of her neck. His mouth came down on hers.
    Molly opened hers to shriek a stop, but she was too late, just as he had said. His lips covered hers in a searing kiss.
    Scalding heat swept through her. Pulsating blood pounded, tingling awareness focused on the man holding her for his kiss. His lips moved against hers in an erotic dance that shimmered through every nerve ending. When his tongue made a brief foray into the dark cavern of her mouth, Molly moaned softly in unexpected delight.
    She was greedy, she admitted. She wanted more.
    Moving closer, she was shocked when her body came into contact with his. His other arm encircled her and drew her into the tight embrace against his rock-hard length. His chest was solid against her softness, his legs strong enough to support them both. She put her arms around his back, feeling the heat through his shirt, tracing the strong corded muscles.
    On fire, burning up from within, Molly couldn’t breathe, couldn’t hear anything with the blood pounding wildly through her veins. She could only feel.
    It was as good as the books hinted. Better.
    Josh eased back, his hands on her shoulders now, his eyes hooded and watchful. Molly slowly lifted her lids and gazed at him, knowing her feelings must show, unable to summon the strength to hide them.
    “A scene for your book?” he asked huskily.
    Instantly she dropped her hands and turned away, curiously hurt. Had the kiss meant nothing to him? Had she been the only one to feel anything?
    “Maybe,” she replied.
    Damage control, however late, was definitely in order. She raised her head, threw back her shoulders and marched over to the windows to continue cleaning. She hoped passionately that he couldn’t see how weak her knees still felt, how her heart hammered in her chest, how the blood still sang with the memory of his touch. She licked her lips and tasted him. Cravings filled her. She wanted more. And knew any more would be dangerous beyond belief.
    “I’ll apologize if you want,” he said gruffly.
    “Whatever for? A kiss is nothing. You’ve made your position clear and I hope I have, too. We have nothing each other wants and I’ll stay away from you. You stay away from me.” She was proud of her voice. It didn’t shake.
    After several moments of silence, Molly chanced looking over her shoulder. Josh had gone.
    Slumping down in the nearest chair, she lightly rubbed her lips with her fingertips, reliving