Hard to Hold by Karen Foley Page A

herself where the bathrobe had slid from her shoulder, fully exposing one perfect breast. Her lips were slightly parted, and her breathing came unevenly as she watched him.
    Colton stared at her in disbelief. He couldn’t believe she thought he was using her; couldn’t believe that she’d try to use him in such a crude way.
    “Jesus,” he finally said, and thrust her away from him. “You think I’m using you? If that’s what you believe, then you don’t know the first thing about me.”
    “Well, you don’t know the first thing about me, ” she retorted, “and I want to keep it that way!”
    Colton grabbed her by one arm and dragged the terry cloth robe over her exposed body. “Lady,” he growled, “with just one phone call, I can find out every detail of your life, from the grades you got in middle school to when you first got laid.”
    Maddie flushed, but tipped her chin up. Her voice trembled just the tiniest bit. “Maybe that’s true, but you still won’t know me. ”
    With sudden clarity, Colton realized he wanted to know her. He wanted to know how she had gotten herself into such a desperate situation. He wanted to know everything about her, from her greatest fear to her wildest fantasy. But most of all, he wanted her to trust him. There was something about her that drew him; something that went beyond her curvy figure and smoking-hot kisses. He liked her courage and her determination to help her brother. This was a woman who would do anything to protect her loved ones. Her loyalty and resourcefulness was something he admired, especially considering her upbringing. She’d overcome so much adversity and had so much promise. He didn’t want anyone to destroy that.
    He blew out a breath, feeling suddenly weary, and swiped a hand across his eyes. “Look, it’s getting late and we should both get some sleep.”
    “Fine.” She bit the word out before she spun on her heel and stomped toward the bedroom. She was through the door before Colton realized her intent, but as she furiously tried to slam the door in his face, his booted foot was already there.
    “Oh, no, sweetheart,” he said, smiling into her outraged eyes. “There is no freaking way I’m letting you out of my sight. In fact, just to be sure you don’t pull another disappearing act...” He held up his hand, where a pair of handcuffs dangled from the end of one finger—the same handcuffs she’d used on him the previous night.
    Maddie gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
    “Oh, I most definitely would,” he said in a silken voice.
    With his foot still wedged in the door, he peeled the black shirt from his body and dropped it onto the floor. When he pushed the door open and kicked his shoes off, she tried to retreat, but Colton caught her again by the arm. Only when he’d snapped one end of the handcuffs around her wrist and the other end around his own did she understand.
    “Oh, no!” she protested, trying unsuccessfully to jerk her arm away. “What if I need to use the bathroom during the night?”
    “I’m a light sleeper, and I don’t mind keeping you company,” he said smoothly. “I’ll even promise not to watch.”
    “This is outrageous,” she hissed.
    “Is it? You didn’t think it was outrageous last night, when you shackled me to the couch.” With his free hand, Colton removed his wallet and placed the handcuff key inside. “C’mon, let’s get some sleep. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t slept in two days.”
    To her credit, she looked guilty. “Look, I’m sorry I drugged you, and I’m sorry I took your truck, but now you understand how desperate I was, maybe you can forgive me.” She gave him a trembling smile. “You really can trust me. I won’t try anything, I promise.”
    Colton snorted in disbelief and walked her over to the bed. “Sorry, darlin’, but I’m not buying it. I don’t trust you one bit.”
    He pulled back the blankets on the bed, and still wearing his unzipped jeans and socks, eased