In the Marshal's Arms by Emma Jay Read Free Book Online Page A

hadn’t seen him bring in.
    “I bought some books. I thought maybe we could read to each other. I wasn’t sure if you’d read these, but--”
    She gripped his hand that held the two slim novels and read the titles. “I’ve read this one, but the other is new.”
    “Let’s get under the blankets.”
    “I have bricks by the fireplace,” she said, moving to retrieve them.
    Moments later they were snuggled together under the blankets and the book was open in her hand. She was nervous reading to him, and was grateful when the chapter was over and she could hand the book over. He stumbled over the first few words and she wondered if he was nervous, too, but then he settled into a rhythm and she settled in next to him, letting his deep voice reverberate against her ear.
     
    Rhys tucked the book aside and stroked the hair from Maddy’s face as she slept on his chest. She looked so peaceful and sweet. Guilt clutched at his chest. He should never have taken her to bed. He was here to do a job, not to seduce her, and he’d forgotten that. Twice. Even now his cock stirred. He couldn’t listen to it. He had to remember why he was here. She was a means to an end, not a means to ease his libido.
    He’d never been completely ruled by his lust. There was always tenderness with every woman he’d bedded, and damned if he wasn’t feeling that tenderness now. He had to put some distance between them. She had been an outlaw’s mistress, but from what he could see, she had broken no laws. She didn’t deserve to be hurt, and she would be, when she learned who he was and why he was here.
    He could tell her who he was and why he was here, and hope she didn’t kick him the hell out. But he couldn’t risk that. He needed to wait for Luke. He should be along soon, and Rhys would reveal himself, get his man, and be on his way.
    He hated being cut off from the rest of the service, not knowing what was going on in the manhunt. He held out hope that someone else would round up Luke Colby, and Rhys would be free to ride off into the sunset. Maddy would never have to know the truth.
    No, that was the coward’s way out. He couldn’t do that to her. But as soon as the weather warmed up, he needed to go back to sleeping in the barn and just be her hired man. That would make it easier for them both when the time came for him to leave.
    He eased from beneath her, careful not to wake her, and slipped outside, hoping the cold air would cool his desire.
    The blanket of clouds was breaking up and the sun was peeking through. Snow melted in patches where the sunbeams hit, but a clear sky meant a cold night. He wondered if the weather would bounce back. Hard to believe he’d been sweating on the roof just a few days ago.
    He could manage sleeping in the barn—he’d slept in worse. But the idea of leaving Maddy’s bed just yet made him ache. One more night.
     
    Rhys was quiet during dinner. Not that he was usually talkative, but Maddy once again felt uncomfortable with his silence. He’d tended the animals and unloaded the wagon of the supplies, then had come in to warm up, but had shown no particular affection to her. She didn’t know why that should bother her. Edward had never shown her much. But in the beginning, he hadn’t been able to get enough of her.
    Rhys barely looked at her as he ate, but ate everything.
    “Is anything wrong?” she asked, unable to bear the silence any longer.
    “Not a thing. Just enjoying the good dinner.”
    But he hadn’t said much since he came back in as she was waking from her nap. “You have a very nice voice.”
    He looked up at her then, eyebrows lifted in question.
    She felt her cheeks heat. “I fell asleep when you were reading because it was so soothing.”
    He chuckled softly. “I’ve been told I read too slow. Glad to know the reason you fell asleep wasn’t because you got tired of waiting for me to get to the next word.”
    “No!” But she realized he was teasing her and relaxed a little.