Read Lawless for Free Online Page B

was nothing sexier than a challenge of the
minds.
    He might have out shot her that day, but only
physically.  She leaned forward and unbuckled the leather holster, slipping it
from her waist.  She held it in her lap, caressing the worn belt that had looked
so good on him.  It was obvious the soft piece of leather had spent many hours
riding his hips.  She found that infinitely sexy and nothing like the vile holsters
her father's men wore.
    She took a few moments to appreciate the quiet
outdoors and then stood.  Everything fun and interesting in her life now waited
inside the door, and the flirting games had just begun.
    *        *        *
    Ariana woke with a start like she had every
morning since she'd gone into hiding.  She'd woken in far too many different
beds during the last eleven months, and she wondered if she'd ever have a home
again.
    The previous night had been a disappointment.  She
rolled out of bed and straightened the bedding.  After she'd returned inside,
Milo had buried himself inside a ridiculously large book, something about
honorable men.  He hadn't surfaced until sometime after she'd given up thinking
he might entertain her, and she'd gone to bed.
    She glanced at her closet.  She should probably
toss on something to cover the skimpy pink tank top and short shorts she wore
as pajamas, but there hadn't been room for a robe in her suitcase.  The
irritating sting of being annoyed the previous evening hadn't purged from her
system yet, and she decided if her attire caused him some discomfort, the more
the better.
    She emerged from her bedroom to be seduced by the blessed
smell of fresh brewed coffee.  Her eyes drifted shut as she took a moment to
inhale the lovely aroma.  Having someone to look forward to seeing in the
morning, someone to share a meal with…it was nice.
    Living alone in different safe houses for the past
few months had been difficult.  It wasn't the same as a person who lived by themselves. 
They saw others during the day.  She'd been totally isolated.  She'd had
no one to call, no one to talk to except Quinn, and he couldn't be available
twenty-four seven.  It was no wonder she'd had her weak moments.
    She walked the rest of the way down the hall and
into the small kitchen.  She stopped, the smile slipping from her face.
    Milo stood at the counter whisking ingredients in
a silver bowl.  Something in the room looked extremely good, and it wasn't the
food he prepared.  He wore no shirt, exposing a massive amount of tanned,
muscled chest.  The white bandage stood out on his tanned arm.  His blue
flannel pants rode low on his hips, and his blond locks stood out, as though he'd
done nothing but run his fingers through his hair that morning.
    She had to wonder if he'd had a similar plan to try
and exact some vengeance for her relentless teasing the previous evening while
they'd been shooting targets.  If so, he scored some serious points.
    Milo chose that moment to look up, the whisk
slowing and then stopping as his gaze inched down her body.  A point for her? 
Or two points for him, she wondered as her body reacted to his searing look.  Perhaps
she'd made a mistake offering up so much bare skin in an attempt to tease him.
    "Morning," he said as their eyes met
again.  He gave a slight shake of his head and focused on the bowl in front of
him.
    "Morning."  She approached, achingly
aware of her attraction to him.  "Can I help?"
    He looked at her from the corner of his eye.  "Sure. 
You can wash and cut up the strawberries in the fridge."
    She padded to the other side of the sink,
stealing several glances at him while his back was to her.  A rogue thought
snuck under her radar, daring her to run a finger across the firm skin of his
back.  She resisted, but it was no easy feat.
    The potency of her thoughts surprised her.  She'd
never had a hard time steering clear of men.  But one look at this small-town
deputy, and she couldn't stop thinking about what