|
*Excerpt*
"I’m trying to tell you about the fireworks.” Stacy deliberately turned away and grabbed a short robe from one of the deck chairs. She slipped it over her swim suit and immediately felt more comfortable. The way Ross was looking at her put her on edge. She turned back around and shrugged. “There isn’t anything you can say to me to make me change my mind. Fireworks are too dangerous, especially in a national forest.” And she had her reasons. His strong jaw tightened. “There are plenty of safety procedures used to keep the danger to a minimum. I’ve been blowing things up for over fifteen years and I’ve never had an incident. I’m damn good at my job, Ms. Jackson. I don’t take chances.” She was unwillingly impressed, but a flash of an old memory shot through her and she shuddered. “It’s too risky. There is no way you can be absolutely sure. You can’t cover every possible contingency.” “Hell, you’re more likely to be eaten by a shark than killed by fireworks. You’re over dramatizing this whole thing.” The rich disgust in his voice fueled her temper. “I don’t plan on swimming with sharks, Mr. Cannon, any more than I will allow you to put this town in danger just because you want to make a few bucks!” She took a step back when his eyes flashed in anger. Adak growled in warning, but then subsided at a snarl from the man. There was a heavy pause, then the dog cocked his head, and his tail thumped briefly. Stacy grimaced. Obviously, there was a whole alpha dog thing going on here and her animal had just come out second. Not that it surprised her. As she’d thought, Ross Cannon could take care of himself. She watched in helpless fascination as he stalked toward her, fury livid on his face. “You think you got everything all figured out, don’t you,” he rasped. His hands shot out and grabbed her shoulders. “Did it ever occur to you I might care about this town as much as you do? The last thing I want is a fire. Jesus, woman…give me some credit.” She didn’t like the way her body wanted to respond to his nearness, so she struggled, but his hands were like vises. Not painful…just unmoving. “Why should I give a mercenary credit for anything,” she shot back. “If something were to happen, you’d just move on. Too bad, so sad. See you later.” Moisture burned behind her eyelids. “And we’re left picking up the pieces.” Ross’ hands tightened at the hint of tears in her voice. Something else was going on here. Something he wasn’t privy to yet. His anger faded to be replaced by a slap of desire so strong he almost staggered under it. He gazed down at her impassioned face suddenly wishing she cared about him as much as she did about saving the town. He had a feeling when Stacy Jackson gave you her loyalty…it would be forever. Without knowing it, his thumbs began stroking up and down her bare arm. “I can’t give you guarantees, Stacy, but I can promise I won’t let anything happen to this town or the people in it, if it’s in my power to prevent it. Can you trust me enough to believe that?” She shook her head wildly, her body trembling beneath his hands. “I don’t even know you! I can’t trust you at all.” The pain from her words was unexpected. Why should she trust him? After all, they just met a few hours ago. But for some reason, he desperately needed it. His grip tightened again. “Your grandfather does.” Stacy tried to pull away. “Grandpa trusts everyone. It’s his way of getting things done. I’m not so gullible.” His control wavered. Anger and desire mixed to form a potent cocktail in his bloodstream. “I’m not asking for gullible, just an open mind.” She tossed her head. “This is as open as I’m going to get. I know your type, Ross. You care only about yourself.” He gave a snarl that sent the cat leaping off the porch rail. Control disappeared in a white ball of frustration and lust. “Fine,” he growled as he pulled her hard against him. “Since you have such a low opinion of me, I might as well give you a reason.” Without another word, his mouth crushed down on hers. *End of Excerpt*
|
