Free Caress of Fire by Martha Hix Page B

breeds around San Antonio. White folks usually shun the women, which I think is an abomination, since it wasn’t their fault they got captured and pregnant and maimed.”
    Lisette’s chin trembled. Again, Gil leaned against Willensstark’s scrawny, pack-laden back, else he would have drawn his frightened quarry into his arms to assure her that no harm would befall her . . . as long as he drew a breath.
    â€œYou ever seen a woman after Comanches are done with her?”
    Shaking like a leaf, she murmured raggedly, “Ja, meine Schwester .”
    A multitude of emotions skipped over her face, indecision and consternation and agony among them. It was then that she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. He didn’t know what she’d answered, but whatever it was, it was bad.
    He took her into his arms, pressing her face to his chest and whispering, “Shhh, it’ll be okay, honey. I promise.”
    She cried against his shirt, wetting it, and his fingers held her there. Her arms locked around his back, holding on as if he were a lifeline.
    What had she said a moment ago? He asked her to speak slowly, and she did.
    â€œMy sister Olga was captured by the Comanches. We found her . . . dead at the foot of Cross Mountain. She was only twelve years old.”
    â€œDamn.”
    He groaned, feeling awful. Matthias had told him Lisette had lost a sister, but he’d figured the girl had died of natural causes, just as the mother had during the trip from Germany. What else had the strawboss neglected to tell him?
    â€œLisette, forgive me for scaring you.”
    Her reddened eyes lifted. “I am so frightened of being abandoned.”
    â€œI’ll take care of you. If anyone leaves, it’ll have to be you, because I’ll never leave you.”
    â€œYou mean that? You won’t make me go away?”
    â€œI stand by my word.”
    â€œOh, Mister McLoughlin, you are such a good man.”
    â€œKeep spoiling me with your praise.” I love it.
    A tentative smile softened her ravaged face, and the devil within him lowered his mouth to hers. He tasted her salty lips; his arms wrapped around her. With a sigh, she opened to him, her hands climbing to his shoulders, and he took more than he ought to, considering she was overset with fear.
    Yet as the moments wore on, she continued responding to his kisses, to his caresses, to his gently spoken endearments.
    Their first kiss had been great; these were even greater. She was more than he’d ever expected, was warm and responsive, all innocence and awakening passion.
    If he didn’t stop kissing and cuddling her, he might get carried away. He wanted a virgin bride, not a virgin lover. For once, marriage would start on the right foot.
    Through wedlock, he would cultivate her feelings and they would celebrate the act of love.
    Pulling away, his heart slamming against his breastbone, his blood having centered in his groin, Gil cut around to the far side of Willensstark. He exhaled heavily. Behave, Old Son.
    â€œWe’d better talk,” he said. “When we’re married, you’ll get my protection and the freedom to do as you please, as long as you go along with the pretense of being a loving and devoted wife. We mustn’t bring suspicion on ourselves and let the men think it’s only a sham.”
    â€œThat would be wise.”
    â€œYou’ll decide whether we keep it as a marriage in name only, or make it a real one. You’ll have the option of getting on that train for Chicago . . . or returning to the Four Aces with me.” He leaned across the mule to touch Lisette’s cheek. “I do, however, reserve the right to change your mind about the convenience part of the marriage.”
    Her eyes closed. “I–I can’t marry you. I’m not a–”
    Here we go again. “Shhh. Don’t say anything but yes.”
    â€œYou don’t understand,” she murmured. “There