The Gunslinger's Gift Read Online Free Page B

long enough to know that I always
identify my target before I shoot. I’ve never made a mistake. I won’t keep any
weapons near you, but I will keep one on the nightstand on my side. Otherwise,
I’ll never be able to sleep, even with your hot little self wrapped up in my
arms.” He smiled at her. “The other’s I’ll keep locked down. Promise. As for
fire, you won’t have to worry about it here. We only have electric fireplaces
because the venting isn’t up for real ones.”
    “I’m
fine with that.”
    He
hugged her close, rubbing her back gently. “Go and get ready for bed, Sophia.
I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, and I’ll remove my stash of things in here
that worry you.”
    “Sounds
good.” She watched him for just a moment then, with a nod, headed off. When she
came out of the bathroom, she climbed into the large bed, watching him the
whole time. “Bathroom’s all yours. Hurry?” She was tired, but refused to go to
sleep without him there with her.
    “Won’t
be but two shakes.” He was tucking the last of the guns away in what looked
like a large safe in the closet. Closing the heavy door, he spun the wheel and
then tugged. With a nod to himself, he grabbed up an article of clothing from
the top of the dresser and vanished behind the door of the bathroom.
    Sophia
was almost asleep when she heard James re-entering the room. She watched him as
he approached and grinned when he paused, turned on his heel, and moved to turn
off the light. He was too cute. When he got into bed with her, she moved close
to him and snuggled against his side.
    “That
night on the Island, I loved sleeping in your arms. It was both heaven and
hell. Heaven because I was being held by you, and Hell because I knew that you
didn’t need and want me the same way.” All that mattered was he understood who
she was now. It made her smile as she stroked her fingers over his chest.
“Makes us appreciate each other all the more, don’t you think?”
    “I
definitely appreciate you, honey. You could have told me to take a hike, or
shoved me off the mountain, actually. But you gave me a second chance. More
than I deserve. I just hope I can live up to it and don’t make you ever regret
giving me that shot.”
    “You’re
all I’ve ever wanted,” Sophia whispered with a smile and yawned again.
“Tomorrow, will you spend the day with me? Tonight, we started too late, and I
would really like to spend the whole day with you. Just getting to know you and
enjoying life with you.”
    “We
should tell your sister, though,” he said, with dread coloring his voice.
“She’s not going to be happy with me. Hell, she’s not happy with me right now.
This is really going to push her right over the edge.”
    Sophia
shrugged and looked up at him. “It doesn’t matter what she thinks. When she
sees that you finally realize who I am to you, she’ll get over it. I think she
was just worried because I was planning on leaving. She was pretty upset when I
told her.” Upset was a tame word. “Besides, she’ll see us together and be good
with it.” Her sister just wanted her happy, and Sophia knew it.
    “If you
say so. But I’m absolutely going to be hiding behind your skirts tomorrow when
we face the dragon lady down. I feel zero shame in admitting it. She bloody
well scares the bejesus out of me,” he said. “And I’m pretty sure she does breathe fire.”
    Sophia
had to laugh. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, Billy. I won’t let the dragon
lady get you, promise,” she whispered sleepily, and then yawned again.
“Goodnight.”

 
     
     
    Chapter
Two
     
     
    James
was dragging his heels. She knew it, and she knew that he knew she knew. Not
that Sophia blamed him. They were off to face her sister. Or, as he’d so
quaintly labeled her, “the dragon lady.” She wondered if she should tell Vivian
that. Her sister might be amused to know she scared the big, bad gunslinger.
    James
shot her another pleading look as she shook