A Case for Calamity Read Online Free Page A

slippery material down over her hips, then put his arms around her and flicked open the button at the back of her skirt. The zipper held no challenge for his talented fingers. Skirt and blouse floated to her feet on a whisper. Taking her hand in his, he propelled her forward so she stepped clear of the puddle of silk. “And I promise to handle your trust like the gift it is. We’ll slow this down, if that’s what you need.” His gaze dropped to caress the flesh above the lacy barrier of her bra. “Just, please, don’t change your mind.” His desire-darkened eyes lifted to meet hers. “If you do, you’ll make me cry.”
    The smile teasing the corner of his mouth contradicted his claim. She tugged her hand free. Never one to dismiss a dare, which his smile surely was, she crossed her arms, purposefully plumping up her breasts until her flesh threatened to spill from its lacy covering. She smirked when his eyes followed the action.
    Take that , buster!
    His Adam’s apple bobbed on an audible swallow, and the last of her nerves scattered like fallen leaves on a brisk breeze. “I’ll make you a deal.”
    He matched her stance, arms crossed; his heated gaze slid up to meet hers. “I’m listening.”
    “You have me at a disadvantage.” She jerked her chin in his direction and let her gaze climb from his glossy boots to the Stetson covering his dark hair. “Lose the hat and suit, and I promise not to change my mind.”
    The hat flew across the room, ripping a delighted laugh from her. The suit jacket followed. Before it hit the floor, he reached for his tie. She’d never seen a man move so quickly. In less than ten seconds, he dropped to the edge of the bed to pull off his boots, then peeled off dark socks and rose to his bare feet. The socks, along with his dress slacks, joined the heap of clothes on the floor. Tight, dark blue briefs failed to hide his interest in the game.
    He stepped close. “Better?”
    Oh, yeah . And oh my!
    She dropped her arms to her sides and stared. Gabe Sutton was drool worthy in a thousand-dollar suit or in those ranch duds he sported in his bio picture, but the body the clothes covered belonged on a canvas. Trim, without an ounce of fat, his limbs were cleanly muscled with understated strength. As for the core of his body…marketing teams would kill to use his wide shoulders, broad chest, tapered waist and rippled abs to sell their products.
    “Uh-huh,” was the best she could manage.
    He grinned and palmed her neck, massaging the tightened tendons until she wanted to purr. “This is me slowing down. Shall we have a drink?”
    The purr rumbled up and out of her throat. Her eyes slid shut on a rush of pleasure, and she rolled her head against the pressure of his magical fingers.
    “No drink.” Roughened by desire, his words barely registered in her fevered mind.
    Pleasure burst into flame as his mouth returned to hers and flesh met flesh. She wasn’t conscious of movement, wasn’t conscious of anything but the press of his muscled body, of his talented mouth sipping at hers. The cool sheets at her back were her first indication she’d left her feet.
    When he broke the kiss, she sighed at the loss and opened her eyes. Her dazed mind wasn’t the least bit curious why he was padding across the room to disappear into the bathroom. She simply wanted him to come back. Reality intruded a moment later when he returned from the bathroom with a small box of condoms clutched in his hand.
    “I always practice safe sex. Without exception.”
    Well, hell. She was glad to see his promise wasn’t just a line, and one of them still had the presence of mind to think of safety.
    The shadow of reality faded, blocked out like the light of the bedside lamp by his wide shoulders as he lowered his body over hers. She shivered at the contrast of all that heated skin meeting her bare belly and chest. His hair-roughened thigh slid between hers and his fingers, after peeling away her bra, brought a