The Rebel Bride by Tracey Jane Jackson Read Free Book Online Page A

which she thought was a stroke of genius. They would provide some extra warmth and protect them from the cold ground. She curled up with her back to the fire and immediately fell asleep.
    An hour later, shivering, she heard Quincy call her name. “Victoria?”
    “Hm?”
    “Come closer.” He reached out to her. “We’ll warm each other.”
    “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she quipped through chattering teeth. She heard him chuckle as she scooted her body toward him. “Why’s it so hot during the day and so freaking cold at night?”
    “Take your coat off.”
    “No, I’ll freeze!”
    “Trust me, little rebel. Take your coat off and slide your arms under my jacket and around my waist. That’s it.” He took her jacket and pulled it back over her to warm her exposed back.
    “Are we going to have to get married now?”
    He laughed. “Only if you want to.”
    A shiver went down her spine at his comment. She tried to shake it off as she rested her forehead in his sternum and her face settled in his chest. He smelled like the woods and a bit of rubbing alcohol. It was wonderful. “How’s your shoulder?”
    “It hurts, but I’ll be fine.”
    She lifted her head in concern and accidentally knocked his chin with her head. “I’m so sorry!” She pulled a hand out from under his coat to cup his chin. “Are you okay?”
    Quincy pulled away from her hand. “I’m fine. Relax.”
    Slipping her arm back under his coat, she felt him shift slightly. “Am I making your shoulder hurt worse?”
    “Not at all.”
    She nodded as she took a deep breath, drawing his scent in again, and relaxing completely.
    * * *
    Awakened by distant gunfire, Quincy could see the sun rising on the horizon. He shifted as the arousal he felt earlier suddenly peaked again.
    His shoulder throbbed, mostly because he held Victoria close. He had lied to her about his pain level before they fell asleep, but he didn’t care. He enjoyed the feel of her in his arms, and although his sleep was intermittent, her breasts pushing against his chest made it difficult to think straight. He didn’t want to move. It took him several hours, but he was finally able to sleep, and now he was awake and aroused as her hands stroked his back, obviously of their own free will.
    “Victoria?” he whispered. “We need to go.”
    She groaned. “Sleep. More sleep,” she muttered.
    He chuckled, which seemed to shake her out of her slumber. She sat up quickly.
    “Good morning, Victoria.”
    “Hi,” she said on a yawn. “How did you sleep?”
    “I slept well, thank you.”
    She reached out to him, but he deflected her touch and she dropped her hand. “How’s your shoulder and your chin?”
    “My chin is perfectly fine, however, my shoulder is not.”
    “Let me have a look and then we’ll split the last power bar.”
    Slipping his jacket and shirt from his shoulders, he felt goose bumps forming on his chest as he sat as still as possible and watched her pull the bandage away.
    “I think the ointment’s helping, or at the very least, it’s not making it worse. I’ll change the dressing, but that’s it for my bandages, so I’m hoping we can make it to your brother’s quickly.”
    Quinn nodded and let her tend to him. When she was finished, she helped him redress and then once again handed him the larger portion of the power bar.
    “Why is my portion always bigger, little rebel?”
    Victoria cocked her head to the side. “Because, less than two days ago, I had the yummiest steak and garlic mashed potatoes this side of the Mason Dixon, not to mention crème brulee for dessert. Can you say the same?”
    His stomach rumbled—loudly—in response.
    “Sorry. That probably made it worse.” Her slightly skewed smile, however, said something altogether different. “Eat your tasty soy treat.” She groaned after a particularly small bite. “What I wouldn’t give for a cup of coffee.”
    “Chris will have one waiting and ready,” Quincy assured