Donovan's Bed: The Calhoun Sisters, Book 1 Read Online Free

position of his wife. Now he crossed her off his list. No wife of his would take pleasure in another’s misfortune.
    Emmaline gave her sister a knowing look. “Those Calhoun girls are nothing but trouble.”
    Calhoun. Donovan flinched as if a snake had bitten him. They couldn’t be talking about Sarah, could they? Miss I-Don’t-Need-A-Man-The-Newspaper-Is-My-Reason-For-Living Calhoun? Miss Buttoned-Up-To-The-Neck-Not-A-Hair-Out-Of-Place Sarah Calhoun? No, he must have mistaken the name.
    “How could June let her come out like that?” Juliana sniffed.
    “Every man here will be wanting to follow her home,” Emmaline warned sagely.
    Curious, Donovan moved to see past the two sisters. Gone was the prim and proper newspaper editor, and in her place stood a vision of golden seduction. The blue dress Sarah wore defined her womanly shape in a way no man could fail to notice. The low-cut bodice showcased her full breasts and a waist that appeared no wider than the span of his hands. He’d always thought she was fine-looking, but tonight her beauty stunned him. Add guts and brains to that lovely package, and here was a real woman.
    Something primitive uncurled inside him, making his muscles tighten and his loins stir in hunger. She was the one .
    No! He jerked his thoughts from that track. The last person he should be considering for a wife was nosy Sarah Calhoun. Smart Sarah Calhoun. No way, no how, could he ever consider her for a bride—no matter how tempting she looked in that dress.
    The Tremont sisters continued to malign Sarah, each insult another log on the fire of their malice. His protective instincts warred with his survival instincts as he resisted the urge to defend Sarah. But it was the word “whore” that finally decided the matter. Survival be damned. He could handle the sassy Miss Calhoun, but he couldn’t stand by and listen to her be called names she sure as hell hadn’t earned, even though he’d given her ample opportunity. Donovan cleared his throat, and the two women turned to face him.
    “Good heavens!” Flirting for all she was worth, Juliana patted her dark hair and smoothed her hands over her skirts. “Mr. Donovan, you gave me such a fright! I surely didn’t hear you come up behind me.”
    “Sorry, Miss Juliana.” He noticed for the first time the lines that bracketed her mouth. While he had known she was past the first bloom of youth, he had not realized that the harsher planes of her face came from her spiteful character.
    Emmaline asked, “Have you just arrived, Mr. Donovan?”
    “Nope. I’ve been here a while now.” Donovan watched with satisfaction as Emmaline’s pleased expression faded.
    “Really?” Juliana cast a nervous glance at her sister.
    Donovan bared his teeth in a smile. “Yes, I’ve been standing right here, staring at the most beautiful woman in town.”
    Juliana blushed. “Why, Mr. Donovan…!”
    “I guess I’ll have to get up the gumption to go talk to her. Pardon me, ladies.” With a polite nod, he pushed past the Tremont sisters. Their indignant gasps added to his amusement as he skirted the edge of the dance floor and went to stand before Sarah.
    Her blonde hair was swept atop her head, leaving wispy ringlets to brush over her ears and neck. In the lamplight, her skin looked like fine porcelain.
    She looked up at him with eyes the same shade as a Montana sky. For a moment, he couldn’t look away. Something, a challenge met and answered, compelled him to stay when he should have walked away. A becoming blush crept into her cheeks as his gaze slid approvingly over her, from top to toes and back again.
    “Well, Miss Calhoun,” he said. “You wanted my attention. Looks like you’ve got it.”
    Sarah’s skin rippled with gooseflesh beneath that dark, compelling stare. “I seem to have everyone’s attention,” she replied. “Have you come to confirm the rumors?”
    He didn’t answer, merely held out a hand. “Dance with me.”
    Sarah hesitated,