Page 48 of Tangled Threats on the Nomad Highway
Heat flooded her face and she yanked herhand back. “I’m fine.”
“Yes, ma’am, you are.” The flirty tone inhis voice couldn’t be her imagination, and when he reached for herhand again, she shoved it behind her like a naughty child, caughtout doing something wrong.
“What are you doing?”
Einstein didn’t react to her hissedquestion. The man wasn’t behaving the way he normally did, jokingand teasing. He’d practically ignored her this morning after theyhad company, not even giving her a wave when she’d left to come totown. His behavior now didn’t make sense.
“Thought I’d take you to lunch.” A glance atthe clock over the door to the shop told her it was past time toeat. “Noah said you could take a break.”
What the…?He’d askedNoahifhe could take her to lunch? With Bane and the men of the FRMC she’dlearned the direct route was generally the right way to go, andEinstein wasn’t any different. “Einstein, what’s going on?”
“I just wanna talk to you, baby.”
Baby?They weren’t into sweetnicknames. This wasn’t the kind of friendship Marian had withhim.
Einstein’s palm skated up her arm and overher shoulder, coming to rest against the base of her neck, wherehis fingers gave her a squeeze that set her insides trembling.“Let’s go to lunch.”
Better to play along with him and findout what’s wrong.“Whitney, I’m going to lunch.”
Looking more like himself, Einstein grinnedat her words, and Marian just shook her head, not understanding.“You should break too.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Whitney moved through the backdoor so quickly she was already out of sight before Marian couldturn.
“Okay, she’s gone. Now you can just tell mewhat’s going on.”
Einstein bent closer until his face was onlyinches away from Marian’s. “Told you, Marian. Wanna feed my baby.”That dangerous flirty tone had reappeared, curling around her heartin a way she liked too much.
She stepped back, breaking his hold, waitingfor the laughter she was sure would be coming. “I’m not sure whatgame you’re playing, but I don’t like it.”
“Come to lunch.” His features molded backinto the expression she expected from him, pleasant but distant.Friendly. “I’ll explain everything.”
Tongue tracing the inside of her frontteeth, she stared at him. Not finding what she needed, Marianturned back to her station and tidied everything, ensuring all thestems were in water as necessary and trashing the debris from herearlier efforts. “Okay.” Without looking back at Einstein, shestarted towards the back door, brought up short by his hand on herforearm.
“Let’s go out the front.” His fingers lacedwith hers, and he used the grip to tug her towards the swingingdoor. “Come on, baby.”
Marian followed him blindly, gaze fixed onwhere their hands joined them. His hold was tight but gentle, andwith bemused amusement, she noticed he steered her deftly aroundany obstacles in their way, leading her through the shop.
“Have fun at lunch, you two.” Noah’s liltingdismissal yanked Marian out of her fugue, and she lifted her eyesto glare at him. Nothing but joy radiated from him, so whatever hadhim so amused wasn’t at her expense. She glanced around the shop,identifying two women browsing through the baby gifts nearby asleaders in the local church. “No rush, Einstein. You can keep ourgirl as long as you want.”
Marian jerked her attention back to him, buthe’d already turned away to take care of the person in front of thecounter.Our girl?Marian had no idea what that evenmeant.
Einstein chuckled and called back, “Thanks,Noah.”
On the sidewalk, Marian tried unsuccessfullyto reclaim her hand, but Einstein folded their arms together,pressing the back of her wrist firmly against his side.Hot andcold.“Einstein,” she hissed, glancing around. Downtown Bakerwasn’t bustling by any means, and she didn’t see anyone around whowould be impressed by his manhandling of her. “Let me go.”
“No, baby.” His shoulder bumped hers. Marianlooked up to see he’d turned a tolerant smile her direction, eyesdancing with humor.
Baby.Marian wished her heart wouldstop leaping every time he used that sweet name. She forced herselfto remember how he’d morphed back into his normal self in the backof the store.It’s a game to him. He’s probably bet Horse orsomeone that he could get me to sit a meal with him.Thatthought sent a wave of heat to prickle at the backs of her eyes.Would Einstein do that? Would he use her in that way?It’s justa game.The evidence in front of her led her to believe hewould, which changed her estimation of him.
“Lies and playacting aren’t my strong suit.”Marian yanked at her hand again, pulling hard enough that Einsteinstopped abruptly and swung in a half circle to face her. “Let mego.” Chin angled down, she kept pulling, twisting as she tried toreject his hold. “Pick somebody else to play your games with.”
“Marian.” Soft and low, his voice held aweight of some emotion she didn’t try to decipher. Fingers grippedher chin and lifted, forcing her gaze to meet his face. “It’s not agame.”
She stared into his eyes, focus flittingfrom one orb to the other, struggling to make sense of what lookedlike pain and grief.
“Ride on the bike with me. Come to lunch.I’ll explain everything.” His mouth opened and closed, bottom lipcaught for an instant between white teeth. “Promise.” Einsteinleaned in, his intention obvious, and Marian turned her head at thelast moment, leaving his lips to graze her cheek instead. “Please.”Mouth so close to her ear his breath raised goose bumps along theskin of her arms, he whispered, “Maid Marian.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Marian hated howher voice shook, didn’t want him to know how much the closenessaffected her.
