The Devil's Own (Hellraisers 2)

“It’s a suicide mission.”

“I know that, too.”

Angrily, Linc turned his back on her. Damn! She would gaze up at him with that melting look, just as she had in the tavern last night. Only this time he could see her dark blue eyes clearly. That look had made him throw caution to the wind, say, “To hell with common sense,” and follow her out of the bar. She might not be a whore, but she sure as hell knew her stuff. She knew how to make a man as hard as steel, but as malleable as putty.

He’d had a helluva lot to drink last night, but he hadn’t been so drunk that he didn’t remember kissing her, touching her, and liking both immensely. She was a gutsy lady. He grudgingly admired her spunk. But it wasn’t her spunk that he wanted to have warm and wanting beneath him. It was her body. He wanted to be wrapped in those shapely limbs and long, silky hair.

He knew, even as he made up his mind, that he was going to pay dearly for making this ill-advised decision.

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

After a moment of initial shock, Kerry said, “That’s your price?”

“If you can’t hack it, we’ve got no deal.”

She set her chin firmly. “Agreed.”

“Not so fast. Here are the ground rules. I’m boss, see? No arguing. No bickering. When I tell you to do something, you do it without asking for an explanation.” He punctuated his words by stabbing the air in front of her nose with his index finger.

“I’ve lived in the jungle for almost a year,” she said haughtily, wanting to swat that finger away.

“In a schoolhouse with a bunch of kids. That’s a little different from tramping through the jungle with them in tow. If we don’t get attacked, it’ll be a miracle. The only way I’ll even chance it is to do everything my way.”

“All right.”

“All right. Let’s get started. Three days isn’t much time to cover the territory between here and the border.”

“As soon as I change we’ll pick up the children and gather supplies.” She pulled a pair of khaki trousers, a blouse, socks and boots from the backpack she’d taken from the hollow tree.

“I see you thought of everything.”

“Including water.” She passed him a canteen. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks.”

She stood there awkwardly, holding the change of clothes against her chest. “Would you excuse me, please, while I change?” He lowered the canteen from his mouth. His lips were glistening with moisture. He wiped it away with the back of his hand. His gaze never wavered from her face.

“No.”

Chapter 3

“No?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, you mean no?”

Lincoln O’Neal crossed his ankles, folded his arms at his waist, and tilted his head to one side. Arrogance incarnate. “No, I’m not excusing you. In fact, I’m not budging.”

Kerry couldn’t believe it. “You’d be rude enough to refuse me some privacy?” Sharks had kinder smiles than the one he gave her. “Then forget it,” she said sharply. “I just won’t change until we get to the place where I hid the children.”

“I thought you said you weren’t fainthearted.”

Her braid almost slapped him in the face when she whipped her head around. The boor was testing her. She couldn’t back down from any challenge issued by those sardonic eyes. Even now he could renege on their deal. She wouldn’t be at all surprised. He obviously had no conscience. For the time being she had no choice but to play along with his asinine little games.

“Okay. I’ll change.”

She turned her back on him and reached behind her for the zipper of the dress.