Luke (Armed and Dangerous Book 2) Read online

  The man—Luke—placed a possessive palm on her waist and took her other hand in his. Before she had gathered her thoughts, what few she had left, Luke drew her into the crowd of people dancing at the center of the room. “Do you two-step?” he asked, even as he led her.

  “Uh, yeah.” Brilliant, Trinity. “It’s, ah, been awhile.” She glanced down at their feet as they moved, and promptly imbedded her three-inch spiked heel into the leather toe of his boot, bringing them to a halt. Her gaze shot to his and to his credit he didn’t even flinch. “A really long while.”

  He grinned, a dimple appearing in one cheek, and she instantly became a dithering idiot. Again.

  A-duh-duh-duh.

  “Well, then,” he murmured, moving his mouth close to her ear, “we’ll just have to keep at it till it all comes back to you. All right?”

  “O—” Trinity shivered and almost moaned at the feel of his warm breath along her cheek. “Okay.”

  And can I have your babies, too?

  What the heck was the matter with her, she wondered, as Luke drew her smoothly into the throng of dancers. Sure, she’d gone gaga over guys before—when she was a teenager for goodness sake. And those had been the ones in Teen People and Bop magazines. The adorable and unobtainable.

  But this was a man. And God what a man. Certainly just as unobtainable as her childhood crushes. Including the fact she was spoken for. More or less.

  Er, good ol’ whatshisname...

  Her pulse rate zoomed past the legal speed limit as they two- stepped to a country-western tune that had been popular back when she’d lived on the Flying M. Funny how she could still remember all the words. Yet right now she had a hard time remembering what her almost-fiance looked like. All she could picture in her mind was this sexy hunk of cowboy whose mere presence had fried all the circuits to her brain.

  Cowboy. Jeez! She didn’t do cowboys. Well, not to mention she shouldn’t be doing anyone but the man she’d been with for the last couple of years.

  “Are you going to tell me more about you?” Luke’s baritone rumbled as the tune came to an end and a much slower song started. “Or am I gonna just have to keep making things up in my imagination?”

  Trinity’s whole body went on high alert as he brought her into his embrace for the slow dance. She placed her hands lightly on his shoulders—like she was afraid to touch him. His jeans-clad hips moved so close to hers that she felt the brush of denim through her silky skirt. She gulped and her gaze shot up to his. That couldn’t be his... he couldn’t be... it had to be her imagination. He wasn’t aroused, was he?

  Amusement glittered in Luke’s blue eyes as he guided her in a slow and easy turn to the music. “Did you drop your voice into that incredible cleavage?” he murmured.

  Trinity blinked and then smiled. “Now that’s one I haven’t heard before.”

  “Well, what do you know?” He gave her that sexy grin again. “The beautiful woman does remember how to speak.”

  Beautiful. Sheeee-yeah.

  “I—I’m Trinity.” Trinity gave her “new” name, her Europe name, wishing like hell she could find that newer, confident version of herself.

  “Nice.” Luke moved one hand to rest on her hip, but she didn’t know if he was referring to her name or her body. His palm felt so hot that it was like he had it pressed to her bare skin, rather than against her dress. “Where have I seen you before, Trinity? You’re not from ’round here, are you?”

  She caught her breath as he twirled her to the song, and he somehow managed to bring her body even closer to his. “I used to live in this area, ages ago. I’m visiting.”

  “Very sexy.” Luke brought one hand to her left ear and lightly ran his thumb down the row of earrings. His expression turned thoughtful. “Your eyes... I never forget a woman’s eyes. Hell, I’ve never forgotten a face. So why are you so familiar, yet I can’t place you?”

  “We’ve definitely never met.” Trinity managed a smile. “I’d remember you.”

  “Yeah?” He moved away from her and took her hand, his palm hard and callused against her softer skin. “And why’s that?”

  With a start Trinity realized Luke was drawing her through the open doors of the sunroom. “I really should get back to Nevaeh,” she said, her words rushed and her heart beating furiously as he led her toward the Christmas tree in the corner. “She’ll wonder where I am.”

  Chapter 6

  Luke’s cock strained against his jeans as he brought Trinity to a stop beside the decorated tree. Lights twinkled, the soft glow playing upon her delicate features and reflecting in her eyes.

  He took both her hands in his, resisting the urge to grab her hips and press himself tight against her, letting her feel how badly he desired her. He wanted to dispense with the time it would take to get to know this beautiful woman, and get her straight into his bed.

  But everything about her told him he’d have to take things a lot slower than he’d like to. And he found himself wanting to do that—take his time. There was something about Trinity, something that told him that this was a woman he’d have to possess on more than a casual basis.

  Damn.

  That instinct alone should have made him turn her loose, but turning her loose was the last thing he planned to do.

  “Really, I should get back.” Trinity avoided his gaze, looking instead toward the rec room.

  Luke released one of her hands and caught her chin, forcing her to look at him. Her soft peaches-and-cream scent eased through his senses. “What are you afraid of?”

  She licked her lips, her eyes focused on his. “You,” she whispered.

  The corner of his mouth turned up. “Not ten minutes ago the most dangerous criminal in Douglas was cozying up to you. Why would you be scared of me?”

  “I—I shouldn’t be here.” She tried tugging her hand away, but he held on and raised her hand to his chest.

  He pressed her palm against his shirt and rubbed his thumb over her fingers. “No ring.” He frowned as he studied her jade green eyes. “You’re not married, are you?”

  “No.” She swallowed, her throat visibly working. “But I’m in a long-term relationship. Two years now. I’m practically engaged.”

  The freight train of jealousy that slammed into Luke took him completely by surprise. “So where’s your boyfriend?” he asked in a tone that was too calm for the fury churning his gut at the thought of another man with a claim on this woman.

  “England.” She brought her other hand up to his chest and pressed, as though trying to push him away. But the feel of her palms through his shirt only made him want her more. “We’ll be seeing each other soon, though.”

  Nope. Wasn’t happening. No way in hell was Luke letting another man have this woman. If she’d been married, he would have walked away, no matter the bitter regret that would have chapped his ass. But as far as he was concerned, if the guy in England hadn’t staked his claim with a ring and a wedding vow, then the bastard wasn’t man enough to keep her.

  But he had to make sure.

  Luke gritted his teeth. “Practically engaged?”

  A fine blush tinted her cheeks. “He hinted that he’s planning to ask me when we get together for Christmas.”

  Luke released his hold on her fingers and slid his palm onto her hip at the same time he cupped the back of her head with his other hand. “If the man hasn’t made you his by now, then he doesn’t deserve you.”

  Trinity’s entire body vibrated, her skin alive in a way that she’d never felt before with—with, er...

  Luke brought his face closer to hers, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath on her lips and she could almost imagine how he would taste. His spicy scent saturated her senses, his male presence hard and solid.

  Everything about him was virile and sexy, dark and dangerous. Definitely dangerous, and definitely not part of the carefully arranged hand Trinity planned to play out, meticulously and cleanly, to win the stakes she’d set her sights on years ago. Good job
, nice home, stable family a million miles away from faithless cowboys like the one who broke her sister’s heart and her dreadful past as Meaty MacKenna—a man like this definitely wasn’t part of the draw she needed. No, he was... a wild card.

  An unexpected, unpredictable wild card who could win the game instantly—or wreck it forever.

  He was waiting. Waiting for her to tell him no. But all she could think about was how badly she wanted him to kiss her.

  No, Trinity. You can’t do this.

  Just one kiss. One little kiss.

  Luke made a noise like the rumble of a bull, and a whimper slipped from Trinity. A sound of longing and desire.

  His mouth crushed hers, his lips firm and possessive. She opened up to him, but he didn’t slide his tongue into her mouth. Instead he nipped at her lower lip, small, untamed bites that made her burn in a way she’d never imagined.

  Trinity moaned and clenched her hands in his shirt as she reached up, begging for more. Part of her couldn’t believe what she was doing, couldn’t believe what he was doing to her. And a part of her didn’t give a darn. She just didn’t want it to end.

  Luke separated his mouth from hers, but kept his lips close to hers. “I’ve got to taste you, sugar. All of you.”

  Omigod. By the tone of his voice and the look in his eyes, he didn’t just mean a kiss. He meant every part of her body. Her skin seemed to catch fire at the thought of his face pressed against her belly, his rough hands tracing every inch of her flesh.

  What was she doing? She didn’t even know Luke—she’d just met him what, twenty minutes ago? And now here she was, thinking of spreading a little Christmas cheer by making out with him in front of a roomful of people.

  What about her plans, the man she thought she was going to marry?

  I am a calm, rational software designer. I’m a project supervisor. A businesswoman. I am not a call girl at a Christmas party.

  She gripped his shirt so tightly her knuckles ached. “Luke, I—”

  He cut her off with another hard kiss. Only this time he plunged his tongue into her mouth, demanding and insistent.

  Everything melted away. All thoughts of anything outside the feel of his stubble chafing her skin, the taste of him... a heady male flavor combined with a hint of malt beer.

  Small purring sounds echoed in Trinity’s ears, and she realized it was her making the sounds. A low Mmmmhmmm rose up within her, as if she was sampling the finest of chocolates and she couldn’t get enough.

  Right then she knew the kiss would never be enough. If she didn’t put some distance between herself and this man right now, she’d never be able to walk away from him.

  She tore her mouth from his, her breathing hard and uneven. Luke’s chest rose and fell beneath her hands, and she knew he was as deeply aroused as she was.

  “I, ah...” Trinity unclenched her hands, releasing his shirt, her knuckles aching with the sudden flow of blood. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  Luke ran the back of his hand along her cheek and smiled, his blue eyes dark with sensuality. “I’ll get you something at the bar.”

  “Rum and Coke would be great.” The conversation seemed inane considering the kiss they’d just shared and the wild lust pulsing between them in tangible waves. Impulsively she reached up and lightly kissed him. “I’ll be right back.”

  She slipped away, refusing to look over her shoulder at him one last time, her lips still tingling. As she entered the rec room, she suddenly realized how she must look—her lipstick kissed off, her mouth red from the scrape of his stubble, her lips swollen from his kisses and bites.

  He’d bitten her for cripes sake.

  In her state of total freak-out, she bumped into another woman carrying two beers, and the woman dropped both bottles. They made a thud and a fizzing sound as they hit the carpet.

  Trinity’s gaze shot up to meet the brunette’s furious ice-gray eyes, and the apology died in Trinity’s throat. “Joyce Butler?” Trinity said almost reflexively.

  “Yeah.” The woman’s frown deepened. “Who the hell are you, a roller-derby queen?”

  Madeline. The name almost popped out, but Trinity choked it back.

  Madeline. Don’t you remember?

  It’s me. Meaty MacKenna.

  “Excuse me.” Trinity dodged past the person who she’d once considered her worst enemy in high school. Joyce Butler, the vivacious beauty who had been one of the most popular girls in school.

  And the bitch who’d given her the nickname she hated more than anything in life.

  Joyce Butler had considered it her mission to make Trinity’s life miserable all four years of high school, and even on into college. She couldn’t even take satisfaction in the knowledge that Joyce hadn’t recognized her.

  No. If Joyce found out who Trinity was... crap. The woman would no doubt work to learn all about Trinity’s existence now. Then make sure Race found out she had been kissing another man, or whatever other trouble she could stir up in Trinity’s life.

  The irony in the fact that Trinity had finally remembered Race’s name almost made her burst into hysterical laughter.

  Her face burned as she blindly rushed through the crowd. She stumbled over Killer, but regained her balance, sidestepped the dog, and hurried up the stairs.

  She had to get out of here, as far away as she could get for the moment. But where—

  Skylar. Of course. Her sister would hide her out until she could get her thoughts together.

  Keep moving, she told herself, even though her body wanted to fling itself back through the bed-and-breakfast until she found Luke.

  “Not happening,” she said aloud.

  She had to get to the Flying M, and now.

  Chapter 7

  Luke fisted his hands at his sides, lust raging through his body. He watched Trinity as she left, a gentle sway to her hips and a little wobble to her walk, like she wasn’t entirely used to wearing shoes with heels the size of nail heads.

  The corner of his mouth quirked into a smile. He could just picture those ankles around his neck as he slid into her... damn.

  As he tried to clear his mind enough to have a thought not involving hours of steamy sex, Trinity bumped into the brunette with the big tits, Joyce Butler. Luke noted the beers in Butler’s hands, and he watched them slip to the carpeted floor.

  Oh, yeah. She went to get me a beer. Well, good. Now she’ll have to go back for more.

  Joyce Butler looked pissed, like she’d just swallowed an anthill.

  Luke heard Trinity say, “Joyce Butler?” in a surprised tone, followed by a snappy, snarky question from Butler that Luke couldn’t hear and that Trinity didn’t answer.

  A moment later, Trinity turned and slipped into the crowd, vanishing from his sight.

  Right then his gut told him that she didn’t intend to come back.

  He’d see about that.

  The way she’d kissed him, the way she had trembled in his arms, her passionate purr... all had made it clear as an Arizona sky that she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. Problem was she didn’t know how to handle those desires.

  He was just the man to teach her.

  Since he was several inches taller than most of the folks at the party, Luke was able to search the crowd for the petite strawberry blonde, and spotted her at the top of the stairs just before she disappeared from view. Damn she was fast. He started after her, only to find Joyce Butler blocking his path. She already had fresh beers, and two servants were busy cleaning up the spill she had left behind.

  “Thanks,” he said, waving off the beer she offered. “I appreciate it, but something’s come up. I’ll have to get back to you.” He tried to sidestep her.

  She placed one hand on his bicep and deliberately moved in his way, her perfume as brazen as she was. “Not so fast, handsome.”

  Even though the woman was keeping Luke from going after Trinity, his upbringing and professional instincts kept him from being outright rude. His mama had raised h
im to always be polite to a lady. Besides, he still needed as much information as he could get from Joyce Butler on the Guerrero operation.

  “Okay.” He nodded and tried to move, but her hand tightened. “What can I do for you?”

  “You at least owe me a dance, cowboy,” she said as she brushed her breasts against his chest.

  “I’d be obliged if you’d save a dance for me later.” He gave her another slight nod and a tight smile. Before Joyce Butler could respond, he took her by the shoulders and gently removed her from his path.

  Well, gently enough.

  Luke barely heard Joyce’s gasp of annoyance above the Christmas music as he walked away.

  In a few strides he made it to the stairs and took them by threes. When he reached the B & B’s front room that served as the lobby, he saw Nevaeh standing in front of the registration desk with a slip of paper in her hand.

  “What the—” she said as her gaze cut to the desk clerk. “This is it? All she left?”

  Luke didn’t stop. He headed straight to the front door and yanked it open.

  December’s chill air rushed in, but outside all he could see were cars parked up and down Old Bisbee’s Main Street. The rain- soaked blacktop reflected red, orange, blue, and green Christmas lights strung down the silent street—but nothing else. Not even a pair of taillights.

  Ah, hell.

  The click of Nevaeh’s heels against the tile and her powdery perfume alerted Luke to her presence, even before she spoke. “I saw you with Trinity. Do you have something to do with her leaving? What’s your name, anyway?”

  “Luke.” He shut the door a little too hard as he clenched his jaw and pivoted to face Nevaeh. “Where’d she go?”

  “Her sister’s.” Nevaeh shook the note at Luke. “I’d told her to go meet you, but I sure never thought you’d scare her off like this. I haven’t seen her in years.”

  Luke snatched the note from Nevaeh’s hand.

  Left for Skylar’s. I’ll call. T.M.

  “Skylar...” His gaze shot up to meet Nevaeh’s frustrated expression as it finally hit him. Where he’d seen Trinity’s eyes before. Eyes that had been hidden behind glasses in pictures taken years ago. Photos he’d seen countless times at the Flying M. Eyes that had captured his attention the first time he’d seen them. Had made him wonder about the girl... the woman.