In Your Arms Read Online Free Page A

licked her lips. As soon as she did, Marcus closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, his fingers running brutally through his hair.
    “Are you all right, Marcus?”
    “I’ll be just fine,” he practically snapped, turning from her and marching toward the front of the store with a scowl on his face.
    Left alone near the pump, Melissa considered going after him, but the look in his eyes only a moment before told her she should leave him be for now. He’d appeared to be fighting himself over something, and she wasn’t fool enough to confront a man when he was angry.
    ~ * ~
    A few hours later, Melissa sat behind the counter still thinking about her conversation with Marcus. Knowing that he’d killed some men made her shiver with dread. She didn’t fear him, but she desperately wanted to know why he’d done it. She had a feeling she would never know.
    He’d walked back into the store just a few minutes after their interlude, but he’d ignored her for the most part. When Shirley descended the staircase, she looked like an angel with even more rouge on than usual. Large pink bows that matched her dress were in her hair, and instantly the little shop smelled like her oppressive perfume. Marcus even coughed a few times as he set the bags of oats and flour against the wall, making Melissa smile.
    She caught his eye when he looked up once, and even he couldn’t hide the smile that cracked his lips when Shirley’s back was turned. Melissa scrunched her nose a few times, making him chuckle. Unfortunately, the sound of his laughter drew Shirley’s attention to him.
    “Good morning, Mr. McCaide,” she cooed, twirling a lock of her hair in her fingers.
    “Morning, ma’am.”
    “Please, my name is Shirley.”
    He suddenly looked like a caged animal, glancing all around him for some kind of escape route.
    “Lissa dear,” Shirley went on, “would you sweep the floor while I talk privately with Marcus? I swear there’s more dust in this store than out on the street.”
    Melissa glanced up at Marcus and noticed his arched brow. She couldn’t help but remember their conversation from earlier that morning.
    “No, I don’t think I will.”
    Shirley turned, her eyes wide. “Why not? You’re just sitting there.”
    Shrugging her shoulders, she leaned back on the stool. “I swept yesterday. It’s your turn.”
    “But, Lissa, you know this is my favorite dress.” Shirley indicated the soft pink garment with frilly lace at the cuffs and collar that she was wearing. “I can’t risk getting it soiled.”
    “Then why did you wear it when you knew you’d be working today?”
    Shirley began to look exasperated, but rather than spew her venom on Melissa in front of Marcus, she apparently decided to hide her anger.
    “I felt like wearing it.”
    “Then you should change before you sweep the floor,” Melissa said.
    Marcus coughed in the corner. Stealing a glimpse at him, Melissa saw his eyes sparkling. His hand hid a secret smile.
    “That’s all right, Miss Bloom,” he said. “I’ll wait for you to change and sweep the floor before we talk.”
    The look on Shirley’s face was priceless as she glanced back at him standing near the rear door of the shop.
    “But--” she began.
    “That’s very gracious of you, Mr. McCaide.” Melissa grinned at him.
    “Where is Father?” Shirley was pouting as she turned back to Melissa.
    “He’s resting. You know he sometimes naps during the afternoon.”
    Stomping her foot, Shirley flounced out of the shop back up the stairs, looking for all the world like a scorned princess.
    “You handled that well,” Marcus whispered, glancing up the steps after Shirley.
    “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.”
    “Nah. She’ll learn. You might not be her favorite person for the next few weeks, but it really is for her own good.”
    “Did you see the look on her face?” Unable to hold back any longer, Melissa giggled uncontrollably.
    A wide grin spread out on Marcus’s face as he