Hannah Howell by Stolen Ecstasy Page B

moon provides enough light for my needs. I have done a lot of running over dry, dusty ground. I have to at least rinse that dust off.”
    “Don’t take too long.” He released her arm.
    Hurrying away, she knew she would have a very quick bath. Hunter had not said he would come looking for her if she took too long. But the threat was there. She also knew that, unlike Charlie, Hunter would fulfill that threat.
    Once she reached the water’s edge, she hastily stripped off her clothes. She took only a moment to rinse the dust out of them before grabbing her soap and plunging into the water. The first shock of the cool water wore off quickly, leaving only the pleasure of getting clean. She was soon caught up in that chore, determined to remove every grain of dirt.
    Hunter helped himself to a cup of the coffee Jed had brewed. His first thought was that he should have made Leanne brew it. Jed’s was only barely drinkable.
    He fought the urge to go after Leanne. Those feelings she could rouse in him would only be strengthened if he gave in to the desire he had for her. It would be best to avoid her completely.
    It all made good sense, but he had very little sense when it came to the lithe, tempting Leanne. He stood up. Luke made a lewd remark as Hunter started towards the creek, but Tom hushed the man.
    The moment he reached the water’s edge and saw her, he knew there was nothing that could turn him from her, from what he wanted of her. She stood waist deep in the slow-moving water, her wet blonde hair snaking over her body. He tossed his hat on the ground and began to undo his gunbelt.
    Leanne decided she had lingered long enough and turned to leave the water. When she saw Hunter standing there she felt her face heat with a blush, crossed her arms over her breasts, and sank down into the water. She then realized that he was wearing only his trousers, and he was unbuttoning those.
    “What are you doing?” She was dismayed to hear that her voice was an octave higher than it should be.
    “I’m going to take a bath.”
    “You can’t do that.” She tried, and failed, not to look as he started to remove his drawers.
    “Can’t I?”
    With eyes growing ever wider, she watched him discard his drawers. She had not expected him to look so good, all lean, supple muscle. The sight of him, naked and aroused, did not stir fear or shock as she thought it ought to. It stirred lust, want, an aching desire for him that she knew would not be quelled by good sense—not this time.
    When he stepped into the water, she bolted. One strong brown arm was quickly wrapped around her waist. She cried out as he turned her in his arms and yanked her body against his. The feel of their flesh touching pushed aside all coherent thought. It was all she could do to bite back a soft moan of enjoyment as he slowly pulled her up his body until they were face to face. Her feet were off the creek bed, so she put her arms around his neck.
    “Just where did you think you were going all wet and buck nekked?” Hunter was not surprised to hear the thick huskiness of his voice. The feel of her lithe, naked frame against his body had him reeling with hunger for her.
    “Away from you,” she answered with an honesty born of Desperation.
    “Are you afraid of me, Leanne?” He slid his hands down her back to cup her slim, taut backside and press her closer.
    “No. Yes.” She trembled, the heat of desire flooding her.
    “I don’t intend to hurt you,” he murmured against her skin as he smoothed kisses over her throat.
    She gave a nervous laugh. He had no idea what he could do to her. Leanne supposed that was for the best, but a part of her wanted to tell him, wanted him to know he could tear her heart to pieces. The realization was too new, too startling, and too personal to share with a man whose only feeling for her seemed to be lust.
    “I won’t hurt you. You must know that by now.”
    Not physically, she thought but knew that answer would give too much