Courting Danger by Carol Stephenson

Author:Carol Stephenson [Stephenson, Carol]
Format: mobi
Tags: Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-05-26T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

Disoriented, I stirred. Good, I could move the upper part of my body, despite the weight pressing against my legs. Although grit still stung my eyes, I opened my eyes and blinked. I was in a dark cavelike space, though the far side was backlit and fluttered slightly. The faintest breeze wafted against my face.

Of course. I was under the penis statue. In that last burst of desperation I had flung myself at it. My grinding belly flop had carried me under the canvas. From the air and sunlight, the dirt hadn’t spilled over to the other side. If I could drag my legs free, I could get out.

I first tried a flutter kick but no dice. Couldn’t move my feet an inch. With a grunt I raised myself on both elbows and then extended one hand. There. Warm metal. Curling my fingers over the edge, I tugged as hard as I could. I moved forward an inch.

Sweat trickled down my face. Taking another deep breath, I reached farther along the metal surface, gripped and tugged. I could swear I moved at least two inches. Even the pressure on my legs felt lighter. Another foot and I should be clear. Taking another grip, I paused. The ringing in my ears hadn’t stopped but I could swear I heard voices.

“Here!” My shout came out a muffled croak. I swallowed and tried again. “I’m here!”

I thought I was louder this time, but the effort sapped my energy. I dropped my head and willed myself to try again. This time I needed to say where I was, okay? Have to shout out where I am. On the count of three.

One, two…I drew in a shaky breath.

“Kate?”

The canvas flapped up, allowing sun to flood the area under the statue. I narrowed my eyes against the blinding light and saw the silhouette of a man’s head. Arms reached forward and strong hands gripped mine.

“Gabe,” I managed to gasp. “My legs. Trapped.”

“Hold on to me, babe,” Gabe said as he pulled. Inch by inch, I slid forward. When I saw the gleam of metal, I ducked my head so I wouldn’t conk myself out on the statue.

As I finally felt the sun on my skin, Gabe dropped my hands and gripped under me under my arms. With a grunt he dragged me clear, falling on his butt. I sprawled half on, half off him.

I was alive. I was free.

When I regained my strength, I was going to have to do something celebratory, such as kiss Gabe. For now, I was content to lie on top of him.

“What the hell happened here?”

I managed to twist my head and look up. Stan the tattoo man stood towering above, his hands fisted on his hips.

“What were you doing fooling around with the topsoil, lady? You could’ve been killed.”

Below me I felt Gabe tense. I patted his arm in a silent warning. He levered up and for the next few moments we were a blur of flying elbows and knees as we sought to un-tangle ourselves.

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