Page 37 of The Heat is On

But she didn’t freeze. She knew exactly what to do when he touched his lips to hers, gently, sweetly, exploring her mouth, nothing of darkness in his touch. She wove her fingers into his hand over her shoulder, arching toward him, and let herself surrender to the taste of him, the smell of the forest on him, the feel of his body, warm and bold against hers.

She couldn’t escape the feeling that in his arms, yes, she would be safe. Because he was a hero, despite what he said.

Nothing will happen to you as long as you’re with me.

She wasn’t going anywhere, then.

“I’ll have a little of that when you’re done, Parker.”

Rio’s arms around her stiffened. His breath caught even as he moved away from her. And she didn’t have to see the horror in his eyes to know that Eugene March had found them.

Six

Rio knew the only thing that saved them was the fact that March hadn’t seen him run. The man thought he and Archer, who had also escaped capture, had caught up with them.

Rio slowly raised his hands, letting go of Skye, March’s words a cold tongue through him.

I’ll have a little of that when you’re done, Parker.

Rio would kill March before he let him touch Skye.

Even if it meant him dying, too.

But he had to play it cool. Easy. He got up, stepping in front of Skye, his gaze on the revolver that March held, now pointed at Rio’s chest. “Hey, March. I thought—”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” March said, his eyes narrowed. Blood dried on the corner of his mouth, and he sported a bruise on his jaw. “No help from you.”

So Tucker had gotten in a few licks before March took him down. Good man.

Rio lifted a shoulder. Behind him, Skye pressed a hand to his back.

Archer had crouched next to Darryl, taken a look at his wound. “He’s good to go—let’s get out of here,” Archer said. He helped Darryl to his feet, his hand on Darryl’s collar. Darryl looked haggard, but he clenched his jaw and stumbled forward down the deer path.

The sun had started to rise to the east, lifting the shadows from the forest, the heavens aflame. The smoke arching above the treetops dissipated against the clutter, only a haze remaining.

“How many were there?” Rio asked, now putting his hands down.

“Two,” March said. “I should have killed them both.”

“Did you—” Skye stepped out from behind him, her voice thin. “Did you kill one of them?”

Oh, Skye, please don’t talk to him.

March looked at her, and a smile tweaked his face. “I hope so.”

Rio caught her arm, squeezed.

March saw the action. “I think I’ll hold onto her, Parker.”

Skye made a little noise as March pulled her to him and Rio moved.

“Let it be,” Archer said. He put his hand on Rio’s shoulder and shot him a warning look.

No, sorry, Rio didn’t think so. “Let go of her, March.”

March smiled.

Archer’s hand tightened on Rio. And maybe a good thing because right then, Rio saw through March to his intentions.