As the World Ends by Marian Lanouette Read Free Book Online Page B

keep asking until he got an answer.
    “Yes.” Roan sipped his wine.
    “Why?”
    “Why…because my soon to be ex-wife thought I was nuts planning for whatever was going to happen on the twenty-first.”
    “You really believed something was going to happen?” Rob asked.
    “Yeah, I did. Obviously, you did also.”
    “No, we weren’t prepared. When the explosions started we packed what we could and headed up here.”
    “You look prepared.” Rob noticed the way Roan took inventory.
    “I’m always prepared for an outing. We like to hunt and hike, that kind of thing.”
    He emphasized the word hunt. In his own way Rob was warning Roan off. Looking for a reaction, he was disappointed when Roan showed none. Lauren had quietly slipped back in the cave and gave no reaction to his statement either. Good girl, Rob thought. Looking back at Roan, Rob saw he had turned his undivided attention to Lauren. With his blood boiling, Rob noticed the man’s disappointment in her change of clothes. An immense hatred filled his heart. Touch her and I’ll kill you .

    You go, Rob, she thought. Let the bastard know we mean business . Even when he’s speaking with Rob, he doesn’t take his eyes off of me. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. If he doesn’t watch it, Rob will take him down and I’ll help .

    Possessive bastard, Roan thought. He understood Rob’s words and was slightly amused by them. Rob wasn’t going to let someone take his wife easily. He noticed Lauren studying him also. A beautiful name wrapped in a beautiful package with all that curly blond hair. It probably was soft to the touch and smelled heavenly. Damn, he was going to have to watch it. He realized he had checked out of the conversation and dragged his eyes back to Rob’s. Not good, he thought, the guy didn’t just look pissed, he looked mean and dangerous. Definitely wasn’t going to be easy task to claim Lauren.
    “I’m sorry, I missed what you said, Rob.”
    “I said…Lauren and I have had a long day, and we would like to rest now.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hold you up.” Rob watched as Roan put his cup on the ground.
    “Thanks for stopping by,” Rob said.
    Shit , I blew it. They won’t be inviting me back anytime soon . I’m going to have to control myself around Lauren. Not going to be an easy task.
    “Thanks for the hospitality,” Roan preened, shaking Rob’s hand as he squeezed a little too hard.
    Rob squeezed right back, applying pressure to the sensitive spots on Roan’s hand. Roan tried not to squirm, but the guy had some strength, good to know, he reflected.
    Turning toward Lauren he nodded. “Nice meeting you.”
    “Bye,” Lauren murmured.
    Annoyed, Roan noticed how she looked at her husband not him. As he walked toward the entrance he stopped, straining to hear; but they weren’t speaking. At the edge of the woods he turned, looked back to the entrance, and noticed Rob staring after him. Cautious bastard. Who could blame him? Saluting him, he started whistling as he walked back to his cave. Pretty soon something’s going to break, and you and me, Rob, will fight to the death.

CHAPTER TEN
    Rob walked back into the cave. “Well, that was fun.”
    “I didn’t think so,” Lauren responded.
    “I told you he was creepy.” Rob frowned. He didn’t like the way Roan hadn’t taken his eyes off of Lauren. Rob recognized lust.
    “Definitely creepy,” Lauren’s voice cracked. She made a face that had Rob smiling.
    “Don’t worry, hon, he’s not coming anywhere near you. I won’t let him,” Rob said, protectively putting his arms around her.
    “You certainly aren’t leaving me alone again with him around. I can tell you that,” she demanded.
    “Easy, baby, we’ll relocate in the morning,” he said to assure her.
    “Maybe we should do that now. What if he’s hanging out in the woods?” her voice cracked.
    “I’ll check again in a little while, and then I’ll check again when it gets dark.