Free Lies of the Heart by Laurie LeClair Page B

experience, savored it.
    She moaned. Or was it him? She couldn’t be certain. The feel of his thumbs trailing over her cheeks and his firm lips gliding back and forth over hers made her want more of his touch and taste. The fresh scent of him filled her senses, intoxicating her. With each moment that passed, she longed for more of the same. If anyone could become addicted to a man, then she could to Chance Deveraux.
    Little by little, she became aware of him drawing away and the verbal attacks changing. A sudden scream, and then a collective gasp rose, dragging her completely out of her dazed wonder.
    She leaned on Chance as she twisted to the spectacle behind them. When she spotted her granny lying on a pew she shoved Chance’s arms away. Picking up her long dress, she rushed to her granny’s side. Coming face to face with Mrs. Deveraux, she asked, “What the hell did you do to her?”

 
     
     

Chapter 9
     
     
    Chance tossed in the slim twin bed. His weary, sleep-deprived body ached all over and his feet hung over the bottom of the mattress. Turning on his side, he blew out a hot breath, and then punched the pillow. A waft of lavender floated up out of the folds of the bed linens. An ache shot through him.
    “Christ, some wedding night,” he muttered between clenched teeth. “Sleeping in my wife’s girlhood bed and, for the most part, without her.”
    A sliver of light came from the slightly cracked door. Down the hall Tessa tended to her granny. The old woman had rung that shrill bell dozens of times since they’d all retired for the night. Poor, sweet Tessa had been jumping up and down for hours now.
    The muffled voices trailed off and the light suddenly disappeared. Darkness shrouded the house. Chance heard the whispery steps of his wife coming his way. Something low and deep tightened inside him. Just the thought of lying next to her again brought all his senses clamoring awake.
    Gulping hard, he tried to will his heartbeat to stop thundering in his chest. “No such luck.” Anticipation hummed along his veins.
    As she nudged the door open more, it creaked loudly. Next her shadowy figure stole into the room as well as his heart. Just the sight of her slumped shoulders tore a hole through him. Exhaustion dogged her heels.
    “Come here, sunshine,” he said, flipping back the covers for her.
    In a few strides, she came to him, and then sank down on the side of the bed. The mattress dipped beneath her and pulled him closer to her. He shifted, allowing her more room. Slowly, she seemed to just drop down, her head hitting the pillow beside him.
    A soft groan escaped her and tugged at his conscience. How in the world could he think of himself when she had been run ragged by her own grandmother? He swore silently, and then helped her swing her legs up to the bed. Tucking the blanket around her, he gently gathered her close. In the back of her throat she made a weak protest.
    “Shhh, now. Just relax and get some sleep, honey.” Her sigh said it all as the tension in her slipped away and she snuggled closer to him. The feel of her against him seared him. But her cold skin drew overwhelming concern for her welfare. He rubbed her arm, side, and hip through the thin material of her large nightshirt. Next, he wrapped his leg over hers, his foot resting on her icy ones.
    He bit back on a moan as she wiggled into him. Tenderly, he brushed back her hair, the springy curls so soft and smelling just like warmth and sunshine to him. He pressed his cheek against her head, whispering in her ear, “Don’t worry about a thing. I’m going to take good care of you.” Don’t let me fail her, too. Not Tessa.
    In his soul, he vowed never to hurt her; she’d been hurt enough. For so long her grandmother had kept her isolated and at her beck and call. Tonight hammered the last home with stunning clarity. After the doctor had been called earlier in the day, he’d declared her fine. But that hadn’t stopped her from twisting