Read Online Love Rules by Rita Hestand - Free Book Online Page A

lingered between them.
    For a moment he started to put the pistol down and pull her into his arms, but duty kept the gun in front of her. His heart clouded with a sadness he couldn’t express. “Where you been, Maggie?” His voice sounded raspy, even to him.
    Knowing where she’d been, he had to tear his gaze from her. He wanted her so badly.
    “I had work to do.”
    “I gotta take you in. I know who you are.”
    “Take me in?” She frowned at him, a slight tremble to her limbs.
    “That’s right. I know who you are, and I must take you in. I don’t want to. Lord knows, but it’s my duty. Do you understand?”
    She nodded slowly. “Who told you who I was?”
    “I knew all along,” he said sadly.
     

    “And I trusted you, the first rebel I ever trusted.” Her brow rose arrogantly.
    “And you knew this was coming all along.”
    “No, I considered letting you go. I seriously contemplated disobeying orders.
    That’s how much you tempt a man. Until you left. Then I knew I would have to. I didn’t say I liked the idea, or enjoyed doing this. In fact, I hate it. But, Maggie, we’ve lost a lot of men because of you. A lot of lives, do you understand that? I thought maybe I could change things, but that was wishful thinking. Honestly.
    After what we shared, I wanted to. But I have a duty, too.”
    She hung her head. “Yes, I guess you have, and I’m sorry for that. Sorry, I was a part of the misery. I understand. I’ve prayed for forgiveness. God does forgive.”
    He didn’t say anything. His eyes devoured her, but his duty rang in his head like a gong. He couldn’t afford her tipping the Federals off again. She had caused too many of the deaths in the region. He had to remember that.
    “Where you taking me?” The sadness within her seemed to swell.
    “To my commanding officer.” His grip on the gun shook.
    “I see.”
    “What could you have possibly told them this morning? You’ve been with me for days now.”
    “I just have to report in, whether I have information or not. If I don’t, they’ll come looking.” Her eyes were wild, with fear or with pain, he didn’t know. “It’s my duty. They let me stay here in this shack if I report to them every few days. It’s the only way I can survive. It’s how I’ve survived so long. Don’t you see? How did you think I stayed here?”
    “I-I….”
    “You thought I gained the information by seducing soldiers?” Maggie gasped in surprise and white-hot anger.
    “Only when I first met you.” Jesse shook his head. “But I wish to God you hadn’t said that.”
    “It doesn’t matter. We’re nothing to each other. So…what will they do with me?”
     

    “Put you in custody, I guess. But don’t ever say we’re nothing to each other, Maggie. We made love.” He frowned as he looked at her, thinking about what the Confederate government might do to a traitor, female or not.
    “Then let’s get on with it.”
    Jesse reached to caress her cheek, but she turned away from him. “It shouldn’t have happened. I didn’t know you were a virgin…but I won’t lie to you, Maggie. I wanted you for sure and certain. I still do.”
    “I guess you thought…you thought I sold my body to the soldiers to get information. But I didn’t have to.”
    “I guess I did at first. Maggie…what else could a man think? You were spying for the North. I thought you were experienced. I thought you did this all the time.
    Forgive me that. When I realized, I was so happy you weren’t that way, and if you hadn’t left this morning, this probably wouldn’t be happening. Dammit, I care about you. Sometimes a man has no choice.”
    She frowned this time and it stayed in place. “A man has a right to chose, and you did! You used me, and maybe I deserved it, but I’ll never be that foolish again.”
    “Maggie, what happened wasn’t part of the bargain.”
    “Let’s get this over and done with. I don’t want to ever see you again.”
    “God, Maggie, forgive me. I