Free Novel Read

Kissed; Christian Page 29


  “Sir, you are no gentleman!” she exclaimed, narrowing her eyes at him.

  “Madam,” he replied, mocking her, “I never claimed to be.”

  Sophie took a step backward, gathering her composure. Somehow it didn’t give her the distance she needed.

  “I do believe they’ve a phrase for your state of undress,” she said as coolly as she was able. “It’s called indecent exposure! And I believe you could be arrested for it!”

  His grin widened. “Oh, really?” His tawny brows arched in obvious amusement, irritating her all the more.

  Cad!

  Sophie cocked her head in reproach. “I suppose you think that’s quite amusing?”

  “Actually,” he replied, affecting a mock-serious expression and tone, “yes, I do.” But his eyes fairly twinkled with good humor and she wanted nothing more in that instant than to box him in the nose! If there had ever been anyone in her life that she had taken an instant dislike to, it was this man without a doubt!

  “You are an arrogant churl!”

  “And you are blushing, Miss ...”

  “My name is none of your concern! I most certainly am not blushing!” Sophie countered, but she was, in fact, because she could feel it. Her hand went to her cheek and she rose on her tiptoes to face him squarely. “However, even if I were, sir, you are quite rude for pointing it out!”

  He swiped at his chin, and lifted a brow. “Are you aware that you spit when you yell?”

  “Ohhh!” Sophie exclaimed, infuriated. “I most certainly do not!, spit” She shuddered with outrage. “Why am I talking to you?” she asked herself, frustrated, and dismissed him at once. “If you will excuse me, sir, I have business to attend!”

  She didn’t bother to ask him about the address she was looking for. She attempted to go around him to the left, but he apparently had the same instinct. When she moved to the right, so did he.

  Exasperated, Sophie glared at him and, without thinking, lifted her hand to his bare chest, standing him off.

  “Please, sir!” she begged, and realized at once where she had touched him. She jerked her hand away as though his flesh singed her.

  He merely chuckled in reply, and Sophie felt hot with indignation. She glowered at him, and if she could have barreled through him in that instant, she would have. She slid past him and didn’t look back, even as his robust laughter followed her.

  She’d be quite glad never to set eyes on that man again! Rude, infuriating creature!

  Even if he did have the most incredible green eyes she had ever had the misfortune to peer into, he was the most common wretch she had ever met!

  “Miss!” he called after her. Sophie’s heart fluttered at the sound of his voice, but she refused to turn. She kept walking, clutching her ... purse—oh, God, where was her purse!

  She spun about, her heart leaping into her throat, and found him standing there smiling incorrigibly, dangling her purse, with its precious burden, from a single finger.

  “I think you dropped something,” he said, his tone rife with repressed laughter, his green eyes glinting.

  Without a word, Sophie marched toward him and snatched her purse from his hand, then turned and left.

  It was men like that, she decided, that made her eternally grateful to be a woman! She didn’t know why Harlan was so obsessed with discovering primitive man. All he had to do was look about him: In Sophie’s estimation, mankind had not progressed very far!

  Want to keep reading Jack's story? Buy Happily Ever After

  If you enjoyed this book,

  try these others by Tanya Anne Crosby...

  The Highland Brides

  The MacKinnon’s Bride

  Lyon’s Gift

  On Bended Knee

  Lion Heart

  Highland Song

  Guardians of the Stone

  Once Upon a Highland Legend

  Highland Fire

  Highland Steel

  The Medievals

  Once Upon a Kiss

  Angel Of Fire

  Viking’s Prize

  The Impostor Series

  The Impostor’s Kiss

  The Impostor Prince

  Redeemable Rogues

  Jack (Happily Ever After)

  Peter (Perfect In My Sight)

  Cutter (Sagebrush Bride)

  Christian (Kissed)

  Anthologies & Novellas

  Lady’s Man

  Highland Song

  Mischief & Mistletoe

  Married at Midnight

  The Winter Stone

  Romantic Suspense

  Speak No Evil

  Tell No Lies

  Coming fall 2014

  Highland Steel

  About the Author

  Tanya has written seventeen novels, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times and USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, two dogs and two moody cats in northern Michigan.

  For more information:

  Visit www.tanyaannecrosby.com

  Join Tanya on Facebook

  Follow Tanya on Twitter