Read Chilled by Death for Free Online Page B

them, I’ll keep you warm.”
    Stacy snickered. “Like that’s going to happen.”
    “Hey, what’s wrong with us?” Stevie protested in an injured tone.
    With an eye roll, Stacy muttered, “Too much to count.”
    The pillow hit her in the face amid a howl of laughter.
    *
    Look at Queen Stacy. Always apart. Always in her perfect little bubble. Not touching anyone. So untouchable. The perfect ice princess.
    He narrowed his gaze.
    If that was the way she wanted to be treated…
    He barely held back the unholy grin threatening to break loose. Not that anyone else would understand. Well, one would. The talk continued on around him. He shifted slightly so he could keep her in his view as he considered the issue. He’d thought about it before and discarded it as not possible. Too much trouble. But the years of experience had helped. He might be able to pull it off now. Especially since she was here.
    Of course, someone else wanted her, too. That could be troublesome.
    “Hey, Stacy, your turn to make popcorn,” George said, nudging his sister. “Come on, lazybones, get up.”
    “Hey, I’m tired too,” she protested, but she got up and headed to the kitchen good-naturedly.
    An interesting proposition, he thought as he watched her stroll forward. There was no doubt his hobby had become almost too easy. He’d had to up the ante to keep the game interesting.
    And it was, but now that something harder, more challenging had come up, his other prey seemed paltry. He wanted to be ready for more. But was he?
    Still, this was Stacy. He’d have to fight to get her for himself. An interesting twist to an already challenging concept.
    Then again, it was the fear of being caught that gave him the thrill.
    Of course he could do it if he chose to. He just had to figure out how.
    And when.
    *
    Royce slid down on his corner of the couch and closed his eyes. He was also tired. He’d barely slept last night. He hoped he would tonight. Yvonne had put her bag in his room though. In a separate bed, thank God. He had no idea if it was a random choice or she was just looking for a place to call her own. Either way, she’d sleep only two feet from him. When he’d seen her bag there, he’d turned to look around and sure enough, he’d seen Stacy peering over the loft railings, staring right into his room.
    She’d been pissed.
    Damn right. He hoped it choked her. And immediately he felt like a heel. He hated feeling this way. Wanting to walk away from someone who obviously didn’t want him but was angry that she still did.
    How could she not want what they’d had together? It had been the best thing in his life. To think he’d been alone feeling that made it so much worse. He wanted her to be just as involved. To want what they’d had.
    He hadn’t been able to throw it away – how could she?
    Royce tried to ignore Stacy’s tired steps. Then couldn’t. She’d been outside a lot today and was still recovering from a long illness. Damn it. Frustrated and angry, he hopped to his feet and strode into the kitchen. He ignored the smirks and smiles he knew were showing behind his back. They could laugh. They had no idea what he’d been through – was going through.
    A lovesick man who’d do anything to get Stacy back into his life again. All he could do was hope she’d see their relationship in a different light and give him a second chance.
    And because he cared, he couldn’t let her work herself like this. She should be in bed. Not making popcorn for these goofs.
    He stopped at the doorway and opened his mouth to say something – he had no idea what – when he realized she just stood there, head down, shoulders slumped. Eyes closed. Shit. He stepped forward, and in a voice to low and too harsh for his liking, he snapped, “What’s wrong?”
    In a sudden jolt, her eyes flew open and she spun around. She shook her head hard, her hair flying around her shoulders, maybe to clear the sleep that was obviously clouding her brain,