Page 9 of Her Outlaw Prisoner
The realization makes my breath hitch. No one has ever given me such power. I’ve spent my whole life under someone else’s thumb, feeling small and helpless. But Ronan makes me feel in control. Powerful.
Slowly, I step back, dragging out the moment just to watch the flicker of frustration in his gaze.
I like it.
I like knowing that I can get under his skin, that I can make a man like Ronan react.
His eyes stay locked on mine as I grab a notepad and scribble something down, my hand steady even though my whole body is shaking from having him so close.
“Looks like you’re fine,” I say breezily. “But next time you fake being sick, at least try to make it convincing.”
A low chuckle rumbles from his chest. “I’ll work on that,” he murmurs.
I press my lips together to stop my own smile from forming. “Goodbye, Ronan.”
“See you soon, Eleanor.”
Oh, those words…
I’m sure he’ll keep his promise. And so help me God, I look forward to it.
Chapter Three
Ronan
I’m restless.
It’s been more than twenty-four hours since I last saw her, and I hate that I’m feeling like this. I’ve spent five years at Oakdale controlling every aspect of my existence. I don’t crave things. I don’t let myself want things. Wanting leads to weakness.
But Eleanor…she’s under my skin.
Eleanor.
I say her name in my head too often. Feel her touch against my skin long after it’s gone. No one has ever made me feel like this. Not in the five years I’ve been locked up. Not in the years before that. I don’t get distracted. The one time I did, I lost the most precious part of me. Ever since, I swore never to let my guard down.
But with Eleanor, it’s hard to keep my guard up. Everything about her—her soft smile, her daring warm hands, and those dazzling hazel eyes…
I need to see her again.
I roll my shoulders and glance over at Chase, my cellmate. He’s perched on the lower bunk, sharpening a dull razor against the metal bed frame. He’s been in and out of Oakdale long enough to know how things work.
“You busy?” I ask.
Chase doesn’t stop sharpening. “Depends.”
I smirk. “I need to get to the infirmary.”
That makes him pause. He glances up at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Jesus, Ro. You’ve been at the infirmary every damn day since that new nurse showed up.”
I don’t respond. I just wait.
Chase grins. “You sweet on her or something?”
I don’t move. Don’t blink. Just let my silence do the talking.
His grin fades a little. He exhales and tosses the razor aside. “Fine, fine. What’s the deal?”
“I need an injury. Minor. Enough to get me sent in, but nothing that’ll slow me down.”
