I cant get you out of my mind
I doubt that. Hayes leaned toward her, his hand looping around the back of McKenzies neck as he gently drew her to him. Because if you could see what I was up to, then youd know I was about to kiss you.
He brushed his lips over hers, then pulled back to gaze into her eyes. Sorry, I couldnt resist.
You dont have to treat me as if Im made out of glass and might break, she said. Im a lot stronger than I look.
Is that right? He looped an arm around her waist and pulled her to him right there in the street between their vehicles. Her full lips parted in surprise. Her sweet, warm breath comingled with his own. She let out a soft moan as he tasted her. Drawing her even closer, he deepened the kiss, demanding more.
Rescue at Cardwell Ranch BJ Daniels
New York Times bestselling author BJ DANIELS wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. That first book, Odd Man Out, received a four-and-a-half-star review from RT Book Reviews and went on to be nominated for Best Intrigue that year. Since then, she has won numerous awards, including a career achievement award for romantic suspense and many nominations and awards for best book.
Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and two springer spaniels, Spot and Jem. When she isnt writing, she snowboards, camps, boats and plays tennis. Daniels is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Kiss of Death and Romance Writers of America.
To contact her, write to BJ Daniels, PO Box 1173, Malta, MT 59538, USA, or e-mail her at bjdaniels@mtintouch.net. Check out her website, www.bjdaniels.com.
This one is for David Rummel, who makes me laugh with his stories and his wonderful joy for life. You definitely make our lives more fun.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
phone call to end. Just a few more steps and he would grab her by the hair, overpower her and have her in the trunk of his car before she even knew what was happening. Once he got her to the place he had picked out down by the river...well, that was when the real fun would begin.
His next victim was still on the phone. She sounded upset, so upset that shed stopped walking to take the call. She would be thinking about the callnot him right next to her car.
The call ended. She began to walk again, right toward him. He doubted shed even noticed him bent over his car trunk, pretending to be taking care of his groceries.
He heard her vehicle beep as she unlocked it. Any moment she would walk within a few feet of him on his right. He would have only an instant to make his decision. An instant to see what she had in her hands, what she was wearing, how long her hair was. Even with his meticulous planning, there was always the chance that this could be the one woman who would surprise him. The one who would fight back. The one who would get away and ruin his perfect record.
His heart began to pound with excitement. He loved this part. None had ever gotten awayeven the one whod scarred him. He was too smart for them. They were like sheep coming down a chute to slaughter, he thought, as he looked up and saw her start past him.
Chapter Two
McKenzie Sheldon came out of the grocery store thinking about work. Not work, exactly, but one of the men at her office.
She was going to have to do something about Gus Thompson. The warnings shed given him had fallen on deaf ears. The man had reached the point where he was daring her to fire him.
Shifting the single bag of groceries to her other arm, she began to dig for her keys when her cell phone rang. She stopped and pulled out her phone, saw it was her receptionist and said, Whats up, Cynthia?
You told me to call you if I was having any more problems.
McKenzie let out an angry breath. Let me guess. Gus. What has he done now? she asked with a disgusted sigh.
Im sorry, Ms. Sheldon, but he wont leave me alone. If I work late, he works late. He always insists on walking me to my car. Ive told him that Im not interested, but it seems to make him even more determined. I make excuses to avoid him, but
I know. Trust me. It isnt anything youre doing.
He scares me, she said, her voice breaking. Tonight I looked out and he was waiting by my car. Im afraid to try to go home.
She started to tell Cynthia that she didnt think Gus was dangerous, but what did she know? Is he still out there?
I dont know. Her receptionist sounded close to tears.
Call the police. Or if you want to wait, I can swing by
I dont want you to have to do that. Ill call the police. I wanted to talk to you first. I didnt want to make any trouble.
Dont worry about that. Gus is the one making the trouble. I promise you Ill take care of this tomorrow. She heard her receptionist make a scared sound. Dont worry. I wont mention your name. She thought of the night shed looked out her window at her condo. Gus had been sitting in his car across the street. Hed seen her and sped off, but shed wondered how many other nights hed been out there watching her house. I should have fired him a long time ago.