Read A Four-Gone Conclusion: Lone Star Lovers, Book 5 for Free Online Page A

then she slammed the door behind her.
    Johnny started after her.
    Killian caught his arm. “Really, bro? You think you can talk her into stayin’?”
    “I was gonna drive her. If she wants to go, we have no right to make her stay. It ends now.”
    “Let me talk to her first. She’s a lady and this has to be more than a little shocking. You’re lookin’ too mean to do anything but make her run faster.”
    Johnny balled his fists, but nodded. “I’ll take her home if that’s what she wants—after.”
    Killian nodded then hurried out the kitchen door.
    “I’m headin’ out to see Zach,” Johnny said, mentioning one of their hands’ names to make it seem less like a lie. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t need a hand in the barn. You two—dishes.”
    With that, he stalked out the opposite way, through the mudroom. In the distance he could see Ellie walking with her head high, her arms swinging, Killian walking backwards beside her. He couldn’t hear what was being said, but it sure didn’t look like Killian was making any inroads into changing her mind.
    Damn, could things have gone any worse? He turned toward the barn and things he understood a whole lot better than the female mind.
     
     
    Ellie stalked all the way to the big iron gate at the entrance of the property. She was out of breath, sweating, and Killian still hadn’t shut up. “Does it look like I’m listenin’ to a word you have to say?”
    “Sweetheart—”
    She gave him her dirtiest glare.
    “What has you maddest? The fact they were rude or the fact Johnny or me didn’t lay claim right away?”
    She halted in the middle of the gravel road. “I’m not like that. I’m not some desperate, horny woman…some slut who’s gonna hop from bed to bed to decide who’s the best lover.”
    “They’re all overeager,” he agreed, letting her vent.
    “Maybe the twins, but your other brother doesn’t look as though he wants me here. Maybe he’s the only one with a lick o’ sense.”
    “Oh, he wants you here. He just doesn’t have much experience with women. He doesn’t know how to ask.”
    She rolled her eyes. “What are you, his pimp?”
    “No, but we’re close. I know him better than anyone. He came here at the same time as me. From the same day at court. Sam sat in the back as the judge sentenced us…”
    “What for?”
    “Stealing food.”
    She swallowed hard and looked away. The thought of these two strong, proud men being hungry enough to steal cut deep.
    Killian stepped closer, but didn’t touch her. “Johnny doesn’t know how to ask for what he wants.” His voice lowered. “He waits to see what’s offered because he doesn’t think he deserves more. If you expected him to ask you to stay, you’d be waitin’ all your life. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want it.”
    Ellie wrapped her arms across her belly. A hug only she could give herself. Johnny seemed like an impossible dream. “What about you?” she asked, softening her glance, because she didn’t want to fight. She wanted the truth. “What do you want?”
    “I want him happy.”
    “Nothing for yourself?”
    Killian's lips twitched. “I wouldn’t mind bein’ there to make sure things work between you two. That you two find a way to communicate.”
    “You mean, be there in bed with us.”
    “I think if he has trouble talkin’ to you now, that he’ll be a damn mute when he’s got you under him. I know him. I’ve had years readin’ him. Judgin’ his moods. There’s not much expression to read, but I can see what pleases him, what scares him, what drives him. Level with me, Ellie. Do you want him?”
    Her eyes filled, and she glanced away. “I’m not sure what I want. But I’ve never felt so uncomfortable. So…”
    “Hot?”
    She ducked her head to stare at her feet before continuing. “Yes…hot just about says it all…when he looks at me.”
    “He needs you, Ellie. If there’s any hope of him finding happiness, he needs your spirit, your