Captive's Desire Read Online Free Page B

as the Jeep traveled the final, narrow stretch to get inside the camp. Two men stood at the entrance with weapons in hand. Olivia watched them and they her. Hayden nodded at the men and drove through. It was late, he was tired, and he knew she was. He drove straight to his home, the only house left on this street in the old mountain town. Shane was standing out on the porch when Hayden parked the car and killed the engine.
    Olivia was now trembling and he had a feeling it was a mixture of cold and fear.
    He put his hand on her arm to get her attention. She turned to him. “No one’s going to hurt you,” he said. “You’ll be safe here.”
    She could only stare back and he could see the confusion in her eyes, the need to believe his words.
    “Commander,” Shane said as Hayden approached him.
    “Shane.” The men shook hands.
    Shane nodded at the vehicle. “Company?” he asked.
    Olivia stepped out of the vehicle just then, her expression fixed.
    “Magnus Hunter’s uniform,” Shane added, his face hardening a little.
    “She’s my prisoner. She won’t do any harm.” Hayden understood Shane’s immediate dislike of Olivia. Well, not of her, but of what her uniform stood for. Shane had been with Hayden from the very beginning.
    Shane turned so Olivia wouldn’t hear his words. “I trust you, Hayden, you know I do. But there are a lot of lives at stake. If you’re wrong…”
    “I’m not wrong,” Hayden snapped loud enough for her to hear. Olivia stopped dead in her tracks.
    “Sir,” Shane stepped back. He was out of line. He shifted his gaze momentarily to the ground.
    Hayden rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Shane. I’m tired and hungry and have had a long day.”
    Shane nodded his acceptance. “You sure you want to keep her here?”
    “I’m sure.”
    “All right. We’ve got some food inside and I made a fire. See you in the morning.” He walked away, nodding once when he passed Livvie.
    “Are they all going to be so welcoming?” she asked.
    “Come inside, Olivia. It’s late.”
    He gestured for her to go in ahead of him and followed close behind.
     
    * * *
     
    The first thing she noticed was the warmth inside the cabin. She walked straight to the roaring fire and turned her back to it, surveying the room which was lit by the firelight and two dim lamps. The dark shades on the windows were drawn. It wasn’t large, but it was cozy. Very different from her home at Magnus One. A wide, cushy couch faced the fire and a coffee table stood in front of it. A dining table was set with bowls of soup; tomato, she gathered from the smell. Bread steamed in a basket next to the soup. A small kitchen stood at the back and a thick wooden ladder led up to what she imagined was the bedroom.
    The bedroom. A new panic filled her. Why hadn’t he sent her to the cell like the man Shane had suggested? A strange new sensation stirred in her belly at the thought and she quickly pushed it away.
    “Would you like to eat by the fire?” he asked, moving to the table where the food was laid out.
    She turned to him to find him studying her, but was unable to decipher what he could be thinking. She nodded, nervous and unsure. She was still cold and the warmth of the fire gave her some comfort.
    He carried the bowls over, placing them on the coffee table. He then gathered the bread and two bottles of water.
    “Drink first,” he said as she settled on her knees on the floor. He took a seat on the couch, still watching her.
    She opened her bottle of water and drank half of it. Then, without looking at him, she picked up her spoon and tasted the steaming soup. She wondered for a moment at contamination, but was too hungry not to eat.
    “Mmmm.” She closed her eyes. The warmth of the soup felt good.
    He was smiling at her when she opened them again. He hadn’t touched his food yet. Instead, he sat watching her eat.
    “Take some bread,” he said. “I’ll get the butter.”
    “How do you have