Secrets Vol 2 Read online

  The sound was cut off when she was lifted off the saddle again and her stomach made hard contact with a pair of muscled thighs. She struggled to free herself, and when she caught her breath, she screamed in protest. The horse picked up speed. A good bounce took Raine's wind but that didn't stop her from twisting her head around.

  When she shot him an angry look, he asked, "Who are you trying harder to kill—me, yourself, or both of us?"

  Raine gaped at him and thought she must be seeing things. Her mysterious lover couldn't be rescuing her...but he was. The familiar black eyes glittered beneath the wide brim of his cowboy hat. "I-I thought—I thought you were kidnapping me."

  He gazed down at her with a shuttered expression and she felt a sudden chill of apprehension. His eyes were grim and cold. "I am."

  106 Susan Paul

  Raine's heart skipped a beat. If he'd said that to frighten her, it worked quite well. He could consider her subdued.

  Miguel rode like the wind. He had gained a good distance on the bandit who had tried to kidnap her when he flattened one huge palm on the small of Raine's back.

  "No matter what happens, do not move," he shouted.

  Raine saw nothing as his body stiffened beneath hers. When he drew his six-gun, she could not help herself, she raised her head to try to see.

  "Stay down!" The words registered on her when her head was shoved back down. Jerking his body to the side, he opened fire, and was rewarded with a bloodcurdling scream.

  The bullets came so rapidly then that Raine closed her eyes and covered her ears with her hands. Just when she thought he'd emptied the gun and it was safe to open her eyes, he let go of her, causing Raine to have to hold on to the saddle for dear life. She heard him slam in the second loaded cylinder. Again the bullets flew over her head, but with longer intervals between them than the first time. This time he was taking careful aim. Finally, the six-gun fell silent, but the distant rifles didn't.

  Miguel slowed the horse to a canter. Without warning, his powerful hand grasped the back of Raine's short jacket. Lifting her off her stomach, he placed her in a sitting position on the saddle in front of him. She heard him shuck the spent cases from his six-gun, then reload and shove his weapon into the holster.

  Raine had not yet caught her breath when he clamped his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She fought against the warmth of his body radiating through hers, then stiffened when he leaned down and put his mouth against her ear.

  "Do not try to get away from me again. If you do.. .I swear, I will beat you severely."

  Before she could determine what feelings he'd just stirred inside her, she looked over her shoulder and stared at his face. That one brief look told her it was the wrong time to tell him what she thought

  Savage Garden 107

  of his threat.

  Miguel knew his men would meet him back in Copper Canyon, and retreated into the cover of the ravine. He was grateful he couldn't see Raine's startling blue eyes, because that meant she hadn't seen the hunger swelling in his. Her hair smelled of wild flowers and her slender waist felt far too good to him. Her small hands clutched his arm, and the heat of her touch seemed to go all the way to his toes. He stiffened. Did he have no control over his feelings for the beautiful daughter of his enemy?

  Heated anger consumed him, a reaction to the curtailment of his violent desire. Miguel cursed his unbridled response to this woman. Those who allowed themselves feelings, received only pain as a reward.

  After the horrors his family had endured at the hands of the French, he'd headed back to the revolution—not as a surgeon, for which he was educated in Europe—but as a revolutionary. For the past year, he'd fought for Juarez, obsessed with winning Mexico back from the ruthless French invaders. When the war was over, he'd reclaim his father's land—the land Spain had granted his family long ago.

  In Copper Canyon, the Tarahumara Indian medicine man would handle most of the healing. The old shaman was thought by his tribe to have supernatural powers and often used sleight-of-hand to perform tricks and impress his tribal members. Of course, the Indian was not always successful and Miguel would have to treat the more difficult medical problems himself. But medicine was almost impossible to come by now, and the old man had taught Miguel all he knew about herbs and their healing powers.

  Miguel reined in his horse. "We will stop here," he said, his voice cold.

  With unnerving swiftness, he removed his arm from around her and dismounted. When he reached up and grabbed her around the waist, Raine remained silent. Cheeks flushed, she lifted her heavy

  108 Susan Paul

  lidded eyes and stood gazing at him; her breasts heaved.

  The fragrance of her womanhood and the gardenia flowers' dust intoxicated Miguel. Evoked by the double ruby pout of her lips, the pulses in his temples beat the strong urge to thrust the tip of his stiff weapon of pleasure into her mouth. He wanted to drive his sex hard against the back of her throat until only the drawn up sack was left hanging outside, piercing yet another of Raine's virginal openings and filling it with his sweet violence.

  Why was he so eager to make love—no that was the wrong word, bed Raine LeFleur? As he continued to gaze at her, a curious pos-sessiveness came over him. Suddenly, he wanted to keep her captive forever, be alone with this gentle creature in this savage garden called Mexico, every night for the rest of his life. He thought for a moment that his imagination had gone mad, and that which transpired between them in her bedroom had been a fantasy.

  He snatched Raine from the saddle and set her on the ground.

  In his arms, she shivered. Then took a deep breath, and whispered, "I do not even know your name."

  "I am Miguel Chavez."

  Raine stared at him, repeated his name to herself. His sexual appeal showed in every line of his chiseled face, and he was handsome, maybe not like the men in the French court, but in a very rugged sort of way, with his gleaming black hair and Ms-dark deep-set eyes. She couldn't fathom why he would feel the need to kidnap her. Surely, he knew he could have her again if he wished.

  Miguel's gaze caught the spiky lashes framing her brilliant almond-shaped eyes and gently flaring brows, as black as her midnight hair, the tiny beads of sweat tracing her high cheekbones, and her small straight nose. He watched as her tongue eased out to wet her full lips and it made him groan. Her eyes widened at the sound, eyes such a dark blue that they were almost identical in color to a lapis stone. Then her sudden fear was evident in every taunt line of her delicate heart-shaped face.

  Savage Garden 109

  "W-what will you do with me?" Raine whispered, her French accent distinct, shaking him to the very core of his being. It was as jf the earth had just been jerked out from beneath his feet.

  For a moment Miguel stood frozen, and so did she. Then like a cobra coiling for the strike, his movements became slow and deliberate. He threaded his fingers deep into the mass of hair at the back of her hair in an inescapable grip. Raine grimaced.

  "I am taking you to my home, where you will remain my guest."

  "Y-you cannot be serious; you must take me back to the fort, my father—"

  Miguel's grip tightened on her hair and cut her off, but when she whimpered he wanted to kick himself. "I will take you, and I will keep you for as long as I wish."

  He released her and flags of color marked her cheeks. "Miguel, you do not have to—"

  "I do not have to do anything," he said curling his lip.

  Raine sucked in a breath and Miguel felt her body tense. When she gazed up at him, he tried to forget how beautiful she looked, remember that she was French. An enemy. But she looked so fragile, almost helpless with her dirty face and tattered clothing. He was compelled to bring his arms around her in reassurance. That was all. He was indifferent to women other than for the sexual pleasure they brought him. Unfortunately, he wasn't immune to this woman who had the face of an angel and a body that would make a bishop kick out a stained glass window. And although she wa
s French, lie could hardly be indifferent to the softness of her breasts crushed against his chest, or her captivating beauty, which he was sure Raine had seen in his expression, but just failed to understand.

  Her scent was like a brand on Miguel. As if the arms holding her had a mind of their own, they tightened around her. He brought his face down to hers. His body reacted to the feel of hers pressed against him.

  Warm breath fanned Raine's mouth, and the familiar sensations caused her to suck in a breath. She was scared and out of control,

  110 Susan Paul

  but the brawny strength of him around her was exciting. Why was she unable to ignore this hot, unpredictable passion that washed through her whenever he was near? Probably because he had awakened those sexual appetites, and they had not died when she awoke that morning to find him gone.

  The strong arms pressed around her were unnerving but glorious, and Raine had to force herself to breathe. With hands that trembled, she clutched her skirts, and the hard blade of the dagger in her pocket brought her to her senses. No matter what feelings this wild revolutionary pulled from her, she couldn't allow him to keep her captive. It was her duty to escape and find a way back to her father. And.. .if needed, she'd use the knife to get away.

  She began concentrating on a plan of escape, instead of the erotic urges, and wrenched free of Miguel's hold. She didn't get far. He gripped her wrist, and jerked her right back to him. "Ouch!"

  "You are going to behave until we get out of here."

  Raine's eyes narrowed. She still had no idea of where he was taking her, or why. More importantly, what he was going to do with her when he got her there. Before she could concentrate on "what" for long, she forced herself to remember Miguel was a Mexican revolutionary and Mexico was in the middle of a war with France. Which wasn't a good thing where she was concerned, no matter how she looked at it. Even if she believed he was going to harm her, which she didn't. Well, she was almost sure that she didn't.

  Again, she tried to escape his ironclad grip, but Miguel held fast to her wrist. Her eyes narrowed even more. She was getting damn tired of him jerking her in every direction!

  Raine snapped up her head and railed at him, "Enough! I demand that you release me."

  In an instant, the mood changed.

  Miguel's smile was mirthless, a small showing of white teeth. She bit her lip to keep from crying out as he tightened his hold onher wrist, and stopped fighting. "You must allow me to return to my home."

  Savage Garden 111

  This time, his smile was even colder than before, and his eyes much darker. "Come now, you must know it is too late for that."

  "B-but I am only one woman," Raine protested. "I have done nothing to you. I was the one who was wronged by you." She took a step back. Well almost, anyway. She did go as far back as he would allow, then cursed his solid strength before taking a defiant stance.

  For the moment, anger surpassed fear and Raine found her voice. "Enough!" she cried. "I demand to know what you plan to do with me!"

  "You are not in a position to demand anything. And until I tire of your company, you will remain with me."

  "W-what?"

  "You heard me."

  Raine still could not believe what she had heard. "Y-you plan to keep me against my will?"

  "I have already made it clear that you will remain my guest."

  She swallowed. "Guest? What you mean is your prisoner."

  Miguel lifted his brows.

  "You cannot!"

  "I suggest that you do not doubt me."

  Raine became furious, she'd had enough of this! "If you don't release me, my father will—" She stopped short, and lost what color she had left.

  Miguel's spine went rigid and his jaw flexed. "Oh, do not stop now. Your father will do what?"

  She squared her shoulders. "H-he will be beside himself with worry when he hears the stagecoach was attacked by bandits, and that I am missing. When he finds I have been kidnapped, he will come after me with all the means he has at his disposal."

  He said nothing and the realization hit Raine. Miguel wanted her father to come after her; he meant to use her as a hostage, at great cost to her father, and France.

  "Do not worry," he said. "No harm will come to you."

  Raine refused to meet his gaze. He'd said it so automatically,

  112 Susan Paul

  she couldn't doubt the truth of the statement, but she wasn't so naive as to think it was the whole truth either. Oh, he'd probably see that she got home to her father all right—but after her father would have to trade, God-only-knew-what for her. Maybe even himself.

  Never.

  The bastard.

  Championed by the dagger still unknown to Miguel, Raine gave way to whatever complicated emotions were driving her. Like a cat, she sprang close to him and dug in her heels, surprising him. She raised her hand and took a swipe at him.

  Miguel easily evaded the blow, then laughed at her continued, and very real, efforts to land a solid whack on his face. Finally he immobilized her, enfolding her in his arms. Raine writhed to no avail and gave up. There was no way that she'd escape his hold. Filled with fury, she stared at him with contempt.

  His smile was cold and dangerous.

  Raine stood paralyzed. Dear God, what if he never let her go? He might even kill her. No—no, she was just panicking. He'd never kill her. She gazed into his eyes. "Why are you doing this?"

  The corners of Miguel's mouth lifted. An attractive mouth, that hinted of aggression, and satisfaction, and triumph. "Because I want you."

  "For how long?" she challenged.

  Miguel laughed. "I will let you know. Now, just behave and do as I say. When the time is right, I will consider negotiating an exchange with the French."

  Raine retained a gasp. "You mean, give them a price," she spat.

  "Finally, I am liking the way you think, although I'm tired of arguing with you." Miguel paused to run a finger down her pale cheek. "You have enjoyed being under my control before, and you will again. So I do not wish to hear another word."

  Raine froze so stiff that a good wind might have caused her to crack. She could only stand there and stare at Miguel. The impression of his face was that it belonged to a very handsome, but dangerous

  Savage Garden 113

  and lawless man. She studied his black shirt, the vest of chamois leather and an American cowboy hat. His eyes held a predatory look. He gazed at her in a way that made her very nervous. If she could have found her voice, she would have screamed. Instead, she jumped back and pulled the dagger from her skirt pocket, and pointed it at him.

  Unaffected by her threat, Miguel pushed the brim of his Stetson off his forehead. Raine had no time to react before she heard the clear sound of a revolver being cocked. She looked down to see his Colt forty-five pointed at her chest.

  Giving her a slow, strange glance, Miguel pried the fancy jewel-encrusted dagger loose from her lingers with his free hand. "Properly raised young ladies should not be playing with knives; they might get hurt."

  Tears burned behind Raine's eyes and her resolve weakened. So much for using the dagger to escape, she thought. Oh, my! She shouldn't have been so impulsive.

  Raine never looked away from the gun as she crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. She might have lost the battle, but she hadn't lost the war. She would just have to wait for another opportunity to present itself. Giving up wasn't in her nature.

  After slipping the knife in his belt, Miguel returned his Colt to the holster. He moved closer, and demanded, "Why did you do that?"

  Raine amazed herself when she stood her ground in the face of his anger. "And what was I supposed to do, monsieur? Stand here and not try to escape from a man who is kidnapping me?"

  Miguel leaned forward and pulled her to him. She took a deep breath to steady herself and straightened to her full five feet three inches. "Let go of me!"

  Savage Garden 115

  Chapter Four

  Miguel's
jaw bunched in suppressed anger. For several seconds Raine thought he might slap the black right out of her hair. "Make no mistake about it," he said, "you are going to be with me for quite some time. So I suggest you do not give me any further trouble, and I warn you that I have no tolerance for troublesome women."

  A chill traveled down Raine's spine, for she sensed Miguel meant what he said. The deep voice had sent sensations through her that caused her to back away from him, when fear hadn't. She couldn't seem to keep her gaze from him. He was so tall, and so very handsome, even though the sun had begun to draw lines from the corners of his eyes. Those dark eyes seemed so oddly piercing against the sun-darkened skin. This man was any woman's dream—or in her case, nightmare.

  Miguel frowned and his face looked like it was carved out of rock. "There will be no more attempts at escape. Do you understand me?"

  Raine tensed and her mesmerized gaze turned to one of disbelief. "I certainly do not! You cannot really expect me to go along with my abduction?" .

  He kissed her forehead. "You are unable to do otherwise. I have your weapon now, remember?"

  "I hate you," she hissed through clenched teeth.

  Miguel's eyes seemed ablaze when they looked at her. "Oh, my lovely señorita, you do not know me nearly well enough to hate me, yet. But you will," he replied, then kissed her thoroughly.

  Raine thought if she had a gun she would shoot him dead. The

  116 Susan Paul

  problem was she did not have a gun. She didn't have anything. And now she was feeling defeat, something she'd never experienced before. Her exhausted legs threatened to buckle beneath her, and she found herself wanting to cry. Obviously, she wasn't going to get back to her father without some cooperation on her part.

  When Miguel released her, Raine pretended that she was unaffected. Lifting her skirts, she turned to walk away. Something caught her blouse and pulled her back to him—his hand. She came up hard against Miguel, which resulted in two emotions that didn't sit well together.