Last Promise Read Online Free Page B

hadn’t noticed his wavy raven black hair when he was brawling in the street. Once he removed his hat, she noticed he wore his hair a bit longer than most men, but on him it somehow seemed fitting. With his dark bronze complexion and black hair, she thought it most unusual his eyes were bright blue. A very attractive combination, she grudgingly admitted.
    Luke waited for an answer, but when none was forthcoming, he turned to her. “Did you travel a long way?”
    â€œWhat would give you that impression?”
    Ignoring her frosty tone, Luke pointed to the luggage. “That much luggage says either you’ve been traveling for some time, or you’re planning to stay awhile. Plus your accent is a dead giveaway.” He gave her a smile, hoping something about him impressed her. His smile always worked with the ladies.
    â€œHmm.”
    So much for trying to engage her in conversation. Once the fire was blazing, Luke stood and grabbed his Stetson from the bed and his eyes lingered on her hat. He really wanted to pick it up and look at it. He wasn’t sure why, other than it was so feminine, and well . . . pink. One of his favorite pastimes was watching a woman at her toilette. He prided himself on being a man who appreciated the time women took with their appearance. It was all of the little things women did that he treasured, whether it was the way they fixed their hair, or how they applied perfume in strategic places, or how they pulled on their stockings. He loved watching them dress and undress, and all of the various stages in between. He liked how they chose their hats to match their dresses. Actually, he loved everything about the opposite sex. That was one of the reasons women were drawn to him; he made them feel appreciated. Right now, he admired one particular pink hat worn by one particularly beautiful woman. He slowly sauntered to the door. “That’s a beautiful hat.”
    It surprised her a scoundrel like him even noticed her hat. How unexpected. “Thank you.”
    Standing just a foot from her, Luke smelled her subtle perfume. He had the urge to nuzzle her neck like a dog and get a good whiff. Looking down at her he realized she was just a little thing. He figured she couldn’t have been over five feet tall, but it was hard to tell because she had her head lowered looking for something in her reticule. Luke wasn’t sure, but he thought the bag she was digging through might have been designed by his sister-in-law Victoria. He’d never really paid much attention to the little bags before he’d seen Victoria’s artistic designs. The intricate detailed work involved in creating them gave him a whole new appreciation for her creations. He was really surprised to learn that some women paid more for those little things than a man did for a good horse.
    He lingered, trying to think of something else to say to her so he could hang around a little longer. It was unusual for him to be so tongue-tied around a woman and he didn’t know why it was happening now. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. He thought he’d start with the basics and not try so hard to impress her. “I’m Luke McBride.”
    â€œMr. McBride.”
    â€œCall me Luke.”
    When she found what she was looking for she looked up at him and their eyes met, and his brain stopped working again. Everything about her face was flawless; smooth pale skin, a small straight nose, even her pink lips were perfectly formed, and her silver eyes sparkled like stars. Don’t stand here like a dummy. Say something, impress her . He nervously twirled his hat in his hands. “So are you staying a long time?” He hoped so.
    Standing so close to her, she found his size most intimidating, and the display of fisticuffs in the street earlier didn’t help matters. And she certainly didn’t understand his interest in her