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his lips. And the roguish glint of something in his eyes. Laughter? Was this big, rough Texan laughing at her?
    With an oath she started to push away. But before she could break free he lowered his head and nuzzled her lips. It was the merest touch of mouth to mouth. A kiss so gentle, it felt like a dusting of butterfly wings. He held her as though she were a bunch of fragile wildflowers.
    Her lips trembled under his, and she hesitated, unsure how to react. Her mind told her to back away. But her body betrayed her. Her hands crept up his chest and curled into the front of his shirt. A little sigh escaped her lips. And deep inside her, a warm liquid feeling pulsed.
    Now she felt herself bound by something even stronger than his hands. A need. Strange and new. She stood rooted to the spot, unable to move. It was impossible to think. All she could do was feel. And oh, the feelings that rushed through her, overwhelming her with their intensity. Never, never had she known such a kiss.
    There had been many who had tried to steal a kiss from Ruby’s lips. And a few who had succeeded. But they had been clumsy boys, with eager, heated mouths and awkward, hesitant touches.
    This was no boy. This was a man. A man who feasted on her lips as though they were the sweetest taste in the world. A man who drank from her lips as though dying of thirst. A man who knew just how to use his hands to soothe, to explore, to caress. Those same hands that held a gun, and subdued hardened criminals, were skimming her body with the greatest of care.
    She swayed slightly. Just when she thought her legs would surely fail her, his hands tightened at her shoulders. He lifted his head and held her a little away, while he studied her with a strange, intense look.
    “You...” She struggled for breath, all the while cursing the fact that, for the first time in her life, her clever, facile mind seemed to have deserted her. She could think of nothing to say that would cover this moment of awkwardness. “You are too bold, Marshal.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” He took in a deep draft of air. Damned woman had a way of making him feel like a kid with his nose pressed to a candy jar. And a handful of pennies to spend on anything he wanted. And like a kid, he wanted it all.
    “I will remind you, Marshal, that I am a lady.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    She swallowed, playing for time. “I expect an apology.”
    “An apology?”
    She gave him what she hoped was her most challenging look. “For your rude behavior. As well as your ridiculous accusation.” She sniffed. “As if I would resort to stealing cheap trinkets.”
    “You mean these, ma’am?” He held aloft the beads. “That I found in your pocket?”
    She stared at the beads, then at his face. Her mouth dropped open, but no words came out. So that’s what his hands had been doing. Not skimming her body. Searching her pockets.
    With a knowing smile he offered his arm. “Allow me to assist you into your rig, Ruby,”
    She was nearly speechless. But she recovered quickly. “You mean I’m free to go?”
    “Go? Why, yes, ma’am.” He steeled himself against the heat of her touch as he helped her up. The taste of her was still warm on his lips. And the earthy scent of her still filled his lungs, making every breath the sweetest of tortures.
    He surprised her by climbing up beside her and taking up the reins.
    “Where do you think you’re going, Marshal?”
    As he caught up the reins, he realized his hands were none too steady. That knowledge only fueled his rapidly returning temper. “Why, with you, Ruby. To jail.”

Chapter Four
     
     
    “H ere we are.” Marshal Regan drove Ruby’s rig around to the back of the jail, where he tied the horse, then offered a hand down.
    She shot him a hateful look. She’d tried arguing, threatening, even tears, which had now dried on her lashes. Nothing would change his mind. He was determined to humiliate her in front of the entire town.
    “I’ll send Arlo out to