Blue Velvet Read Online Free Page B

familiar mockery. “As for the rest, don’t worry about it. I’m not particularly kinky and I won’t do anything you won’t enjoy.” He reached out and touched his index finger to her cheek. “And I’m sorry, but I’m not going to set a limit on the times I’m going to make love toyou. I have a hunch it may go on for a long, long time. It may even develop into a full-scale affair. I’ll require you to stay with me as long as I want you. Period. Is your friend Jeffrey’s safety worth that degree of commitment or does that change the picture?”
    Her cheek felt as if it were burning beneath that light touch and her heart was accelerating crazily. She tried to hold her voice steady. “He’s worth it.” She edged away so that his disconcerting hand no longer touched her face. “And no, it doesn’t change anything. I just wanted to know.”
    “Well, now you do.” She could sense the tension ebbing out of him as he relaxed. “And we can get on to accomplishing this little task you’ve set up to test my mettle.” He made a face. “I can’t say it wasn’t a clever move. If I get killed by these charming gentlemen you’re associated with, you won’t have to pay off.”
    “Don’t say that,” she said sharply, her eyes wide with fright. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I’d never have insisted you come if I’d thought there was really a chance you might be harmed. I only brought you along because I needa lookout. I’ll do everything myself.” She drew a deep shaky breath. “You needn’t be afraid. I’ll take care of you.”
    She meant it. He’d started to chuckle but the laughter vanished as he met that childlike earnestness in her eyes. He supposed he should have been a little insulted that she’d presumed he needed her protection. Somehow, though, he wasn’t. He was touched and moved and suddenly feeling that inexplicable tenderness once again. “Thank you,” he said with grave courtesy. “I’m sure you could protect me very well, but I never did like a bystander’s role. Perhaps I can find something to do to make things a bit more interesting.” As she opened her lips to protest, he asked quickly, “How close are we to the warehouse?”
    “We’re almost there. It’s just around the corner and down a few buildings. It’s set off by itself, thank heavens. We don’t have to worry about anything else catching on fire.”
    “I’m sure the citizens of Mariba will be grateful for that,” Beau drawled. “They may even put up a statue in the city square in your honor.” His tongue moistened his lower lip in mock lasciviousness.“In fact, if you’ll promise to pose in the nude, I’d probably commission it myself.”
    “Oh, be quiet.” She couldn’t keep a little smile from tugging at her lips. The man was completely impossible. “This isn’t funny, Beau. I wouldn’t be here if it were.”
    “No, you’re angry at Despard for trying to victimize your friend, Brenden, and you want to get some of your own back. A rather dangerous form of revenge, don’t you think?”
    “Revenge?” She shook her head. “I’d be pretty stupid to run this kind of risk for revenge.”
    “Then, why?”
    “The drugs,” she said simply. “I hate them. I’ve seen what they can do.” Her eyes were haunted. “Drugs are cheaper here and in South America, you know. Dealers aren’t able to get the high prices they can in the States. That’s why they export them.” She shivered. “And if they can’t export them, they sell them to whoever will buy. Have you ever seen a nine-year-old junkie? I have, and I never want to again. If I could burn every cache of heroin and cocaine in the whole damn world, I’d do it.”
    That streak of maternal protectiveness again,Beau thought. First Brenden, then himself, and now the whole damn world! That tenderness he’d known before returned with poignant intensity. What the hell was she doing to him? He forcibly pulled his gaze from those disconcertingly