Read Online The Heart Has Reasons by Martine Marchand - Free Book Online

“Dry off and get dressed.  And be
quick about it.”
    After
brushing her teeth and blow-drying her hair, she finally emerged from the
bathroom clad in a black tee shirt and red stretch pants.  Her eyes were
red-rimmed, making them appear even greener in contrast, but she’d clearly
managed to restore her emotional equilibrium, something for which he was
immeasurably thankfully.
    Anger
he could deal with.  Tears?  Not so much.
    Still
apparently suffering the effects of the frigid shower, she shivered violently,
so he rummaged a sweatshirt from his duffle bag.  “Put this on.” 
Once she’d complied, he said, “Sit.”  Looking small and deceptively
fragile within the sweatshirt’s bulk, she perched the edge of the bed. 
Seating himself beside her, he broke one of the cardinal rules of dealing with
captives.  “I apologize for invading your privacy in the shower.  I
assure you, it wasn’t intentional.”
    As
rigid and unmoving as a statue, she sat with arms wrapped protectively around
her chest, gaze locked on the carpet between her feet.  To assure that he
had her complete attention, he gently but firmly grasped her jaw and turned her
head toward him.  “Although I don’t want to hurt you, if you do
anything else stupid, I will.  Do you understand?”
    When
she nodded, he reached across her for the glass of water he’d placed on the
bedside stand, thrust it into her hand, then produced a sleeping pill from a
pajama pocket.  “Take this.  It’ll calm you and help you sleep.”
    “I’d
rather not.”
    “I’m
not asking you, I’m telling you.  Take it.”
    She
seemed to consider the matter for a moment.  Then, having apparently
reached a decision, she placed the glass on the bedside stand. 
“No.” 
    Circling
one hand behind her neck, he leaned forward until his face was mere inches from
hers.  “Do you want me to hurt you?  Because that’s what’s
going to happen if you don’t comply.”
    She
took a deep, shuddery breath.  “Is it the same thing you put in my wine?”
    “No.
 This is merely a sleeping pill.”
    She
reluctantly picked up the glass again and held the other hand out, palm
up.  He shook his head.  “Uh-uh.  Open up.”  When she did
so, he placed the pill on her tongue, then watched as she took a mouthful of
water, tilted her head back, and swallowed.  “Open your mouth again.”
    “Why?”
    “So
I can make sure you really swallowed it.”
    She
was the very picture of innocence.  “I did!”
    “Open
your fucking mouth!”
    Green
eyes narrowing in anger, she puckered those sexy lips and spat.  The
capsule bounced off his chest to land on the carpet beside the bed. 
“Goddammit.”  Leaning down to retrieve it, he made the mistake of shifting
his attention from her for just an instant.  An instant was all she
needed.
    With
the impetus of a pile driver, her heel connected with his ribcage just below
the armpit, knocking him sideways off the mattress.  As he hit the floor,
she sprang off the mattress and bolted for the door.  Managing to maintain
forward momentum, he tucked his shoulder, rolled, and came to his feet, all in
one smooth motion.  The door was partway open and her mouth was opening to
scream when he clamped a hand over her lower face.  Kicking the door
closed, he relocked it one-handed, and half-dragged, half-carried her back to
the bed.
    Was
he simply off his game tonight or had eight months of civilian life softened
him that much?  Dropping her onto the edge of the bed, he leaned down until
his face was just inches from hers.  “Are you going to scream when I take
my hand away?”  She shook her head.  “If you do, I’m going to make
you very, very sorry you did.”  When she shook her head again, he
cautiously removed his hand.  “You’d better not fucking move.”
    Keeping
a close eye on her, he leaned down to pluck the pill from the floor, refusing
to wince at the pain that blazed along his ribs as he straightened