Read Showdown at Lizard Rock for Free Online Page B

about?” She pursed her lips and hoped like hell that he was as affected by her closeness as she was by his.
    He was. She’d gone too far this time. When hereached out and grazed one of her breasts with his fingers, she gasped and felt her nipple react automatically to his touch.
    “Oh, yes,” he said, “it’s the men I’m worried about. And I’m very much a man, too, Kaylyn Smith, a man who responds to a sensual woman.”
    He reached out again, and before she was aware of what was happening, she was in his arms and being kissed. For one glorious moment she gave in to the wild renegade who was assaulting her body and her senses. Then she jerked herself free, shoving him back with all her strength.
    “Get away from me, you … you heathen, and get away from my springs. You’re not going to destroy them. I’ll stay here till hell freezes over, if that’s what it takes to force you to change your mind.”
    King stepped back, his body protesting, his mind racing with frustration at his inability to focus on the issues. Where the springs were concerned, this woman was absolutely undaunted. He could understand that. His project was as important to him. The law was on his side, and ultimately he would win. But the woman … she was another thing entirely. She made him lose control, and that had just stopped being funny.
    Yet there was something right about the feel of her in his arms. He’d known that yesterday. They were built for each other. He was six-feet-five, and she must be at least six feet herself. There was nothing petite about her, but she was trim, and he had felt the evidence of physical exercise in the taut muscles of her long legs and slender arms. From the top of her blond hair to her narrow feet, she was a throwback to some Viking princess. And his body was stiffening with the need to have her.
    “I’ll stay away from you, Ms. Smith,” he said. “Enjoy your occupation of the springs. But it won’t be long before you’re going to see the error of your ways.”
    “Don’t make threats.”
    “You’re welcome to stay. If you intend to camp here, the camping fee is three dollars a night. Or, I’ll give you a special weekly rate.”
    “You’re letting me stay, and you’re going to charge me to do it? Now just a minute, King Vandergriff. This isn’t fun time here. This is serious business.” She forgot her fear and stepped closer, intent on making her point. “I insist that you respect my protest and consider my conditions for surrender.”
    “Ah, darlin’, the only surrender I’m interested in discussing with you is a personal one. I think I’m going to have to kiss you again.”
    “No, please don’t. You can’t keep kissing me every time I try to state my position. You can’t—”
    He could and he did, and she decided about halfway into the second kiss that she might need a mediator for these negotiations.
    “Is this where I’m supposed to be?”
    Kaylyn pulled away, embarrassed by the sound of a familiar voice behind them.
    “Dammit, Harold, what are you doing here?” King dropped his arms and took several deep breaths. Trying to conceal the evidence of his need for Kaylyn was nearly impossible.
    “You told me to come,” Harold said plaintively. “You said you’d give me a job. Remember? Hello, Katie. I’m glad they didn’t put you away. Did King break you out too?”
    “You got Harold out of jail?” she asked. She washaving a hard time comprehending the town drunk being part of King’s work crew.
    “It didn’t seem fair,” King said to her, “to let you go to prison and leave him to grieve alone. Come on, Harold, let’s find you something to do to earn your keep. Do you think you can work the coffeepot? We have a supply of
good
water over at the construction trailer.”
    “Fine,” Kaylyn said. “Brew him up a pot, Harold. But I’d use the spring water if I were you. It contains lithium, a very calming mineral. And your new boss badly needs to be calmed