Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) by Paige Powers Page A

up on the dirt floor of a barn, disoriented and dizzy."
    "A woman like you has a little fight in her. And that's okay. I like my women a bit feisty. So I had to do what I had to in order to get you here."
    The look in his eyes was blank, void of expression. It made Lily uncomfortable.
    "My father will come looking for me."
    Jones laughed. "Sanchez? He is no match for my security. I always keep a few outlaws on the payroll. Your father would never come up here alone to fetch you."
    Lily wanted to laugh at Jones' attempt to discourage her. "And I'm pretty sure Brent will come looking for me." She smirked as if she had pulled out the trump card on him.
    "Ah, Texas Ranger. Brent Abbott. You think he's going to come for you? Maybe. Maybe not. He will most likely lose interest in you once you are out of sight, out of mind."
    A pang hit Lily in the chest. What if that was true? She had been so intent on keeping Brent at arm's length, he may just think that she was not interested in a relationship with him and just leave well enough alone.
    "I don't think so. It's just a matter of time before Brent and the sheriff come looking for me."
    Jones came closer to Lily. He was so close that she could smell the whiskey on his breath. His presence in her space made her skin crawl.
    "I love beautiful things. I like the best of everything: spirits, food, clothing, jewelry and women. And you, my dear, are fortunate enough to have me pick you."
    Lily was confused. Was she supposed to feel like she had hit the jackpot because Jones considered her to be a prize? His very touch made her feel more soiled than she was physically.
    Jones ran his fingers through her hair. "I can help you afford the kind of life you have never dreamed of. You can be my Lily. No woman turns down a chance like this."
    The feel of his warm breath on her neck was infuriating. But Lily was not sure what to do in this predicament. Fighting him would just exhaust energy. She had to think her way through this one. And patience would be the virtue because she knew in her heart Brent would rescue her. She had to just have a little hope.
     
    *
     
    Maria helped Lily bathe and get into some clean clothing. It was a bit awkward for Lily. She had never had anyone assist her with anything of that sort.
    "You really don't have to help me, Maria."
    "Yes I do, Senorita." Maria was hard at work scrubbing Lily's back and washing her hair.
    Lily had to admit that it felt good to soak in the bath. She had only been in a bath a few times in her life. Her family could not afford indoor plumbing. She often went down to the lake to bathe if she wanted to really relax, but it was more of a luxury. Here she did not want to get comfortable with the luxuries that Jones was trying to bestow upon her. This was not her home.
    "Please no, Maria. I can really do this myself." Lily snatched the soap and began to scrub herself.
    Maria acquiesced and left Lily at the tub to bathe herself. Instead, Maria began to tidy up the room and lay out Lily's clothing.
    "Really, I can put back on my dress," Lily offered.
    "No, Senorita. That dress is soiled. I will wash it. You must put on one of these dresses as Senor Jones requests."
    Lily squeezed the water from her hair and stood up, draping the towel around her naked body.
    "Maria. Please call me Lily. And there is no way that I can wear something like that. I can not even afford to look at a dress like that. This is not for me."
    Lily went to pick up her dress from the ground. She would wash it out in the tub and simply wait for it to dry. Maria caught her hand and twirled her around.
    "I am not sure how to say this, Senorita. You are here under Senor Jones request. I am your ladies' maid, sent to make sure you get acquainted with the way things are done around here. You should make it a point to be friendly and cooperate. Things run much more smoothly when you cooperate." She squeezed Lily's hand, just enough to let her know that she was serious.
    Lily eyed her