Read Online The Alien's Captive by Ruth Anne Scott - Free Book Online

realize,” he told her. “Aquilla won’t let anyone stand in his way, and you aren’t even Avitras. What are you to him? You’re a stranger. He won’t hesitate to get rid of you, too, especially when he figures out you’ve been helping me.”
    Penelope Ann flashed through Anna’s mind. How long could she hold out before she broke down and told Aquilla that Anna was helping Menlo? Anna always counted on Penelope Ann to help her settle into Avitras territory, but she couldn’t count on her now.
    Her mind swept over the village, and the people Penelope Ann introduced her to. She’d come to consider some of them friends, but now they might as well have been a thousand miles away. She wouldn’t trust one of them to help her. None of them would cross Aquilla.
    She looked up to find Menlo studying her. “What’s on your mind?”
    She shook her head, but she couldn’t hold his gaze. His eyes searched her heart. He already knew without her telling him. “Nothing. I guess I’m just tired.”
    “You should go to bed,” he told her. “Tomorrow’s another long day.”
    “It won’t be as long for me as it will be for you,” she replied. “Why don’t you lie down and get some sleep? I’ll watch until you wake up. That way, I won’t have to tie your hands again until I leave in the morning.”
    He shook his head. “It’s too risky. You should leave now while you have a chance.”
    She didn’t budge. “This could be your only chance to get some good sleep. You should take it while you can.”
    He cast a sidelong glance at the rope lying on the floor. This time, Anna read his mind. He dreaded her retying his hands behind his back. She didn’t have to argue to convince him. “Lie down. Here. Put your head on my lap. You’ll be more comfortable that way.”
    His head shot up, and his eyes drilled into her soul, but he didn’t argue. He sighed and laid down. The instant his shaggy head came to rest on her leg, he closed his eyes and his breathing lengthened and deepened. He was more exhausted than either of them let themselves believe. In a moment, a steady purr rumbled up from his throat and he fell asleep.
    Anna’s hand hovered in mid-air above his head. Then she moved it down to his shoulder, but she didn’t dare let it fall. She wouldn’t let herself take the last final step across the line between them.
    She imagined running her fingers through his hair. She rubbed the soreness out of his shoulders and massaged his neck. But in reality, she didn’t touch him. He needed sleep, and she would sit up all night and guard him while he got it, but she couldn’t touch him the way she wanted to. He was a prisoner. He had to hold himself on guard.
    She sat all night and watched him sleep. He fell into a bottomless pit of exhaustion and never stirred. Her feet and legs went numb from sitting still so long, and he didn’t rouse even when she shifted her weight to let the blood flow back into them.
    Every time fear seized her and commanded her to run for her life, one glance down at his sleeping face convinced her to sit still. His ordeal was so much harder than hers. The risk she took helping him was nothing compared to his danger. He needed rest more than anything right now, and she could endure some discomfort, for one night at least, to make sure he got it.
    The faintest streak of morning light peeked under the store room door before she let her hand fall on his shoulder. “Menlo, it’s time to wake up.”
    He jolted awake with a gasp. “What?” He bolted upright, and her hand fell away.
    “I have to go now,” she murmured. “It’s dawn. The village will be up soon. I have to tie you up again and bar the door before anybody finds me here.”
    In an instant, calm settled over him. He nodded. “Of course.” He sat back in the same place against the wall. “I’m ready.”
    She looped the rope around his wrists, but didn’t pull it tight. The angry welts on his skin wouldn’t let her.
    “Make it