Stealing West Read Online Free PDF Page B

would have already tried to a rescue attempt. But...” Thomas made a show of looking around the looming trees. “Been quiet as a church all night.”
    “Too bad it hasn't been as warm as one. Can't you stoke that fire higher? It's fucking freezing.”
    “No. Not going to attract that sort of attention. There's no way of knowing who else is out there.” Thomas regarded the other man for a moment, and then slid over the handful of inches separating them. “You can't handle a little chill?”
    The shivering he'd noticed earlier was palpable, even through the layers of clothing separating them. “If I ever know another winter again, it'll be too soon. You don't have an extra blanket in your saddlebag or nothing?”
    “No. I was about as prepared for this detour as you were. I didn't expect to need an extra blanket where I was going.”
    Thomas continued to watch him, debating what to do. He didn't want the man to get sick, and despite his earlier promise to make Leon as exhausted and uncomfortable as possible, he never intended to truly mistreat Leon. He wasn't seeking vengeance. He wasn't there to punish anybody. He just wanted the bounty. After a few moments, he shifted his body, turning to settle on his side behind Leon.
    The man stiffened at first. He was considerably shorter than Thomas, fitting against his length. Leon's hair tickled his chin, his bound hands between their bodies stopping them from curving more naturally together. Thomas waited until Leon exhaled, but it was the stretching of his fingers that came rather than a shift elsewhere. The knuckles brushed over Grady's coat. Then brushed over it again.
    “My hands are numb,” Leon said.
    “Yeah, I bet they are. Can't untie you, though.”
    “I'm not going anywhere.” He paused. “I wouldn't get ten yards on this foot.”
    “I noticed you were favoring it on the train. What did you do to it?”
    “Broke it. Then was too stubborn to get it set soon enough.” He chuckled, though if it wasn't from the sound, Thomas would've thought it was more shivering. “That probably doesn't surprise you.”
    “Not in the least. Sounds like you're going to be lamed up for awhile. Does it always hurt?”
    “Nah, just when it's cold. Or I sit on my ass for too long. Which means it's fucking killing me now.”
    “Can you get that boot off?”
    Leon snorted. “With my hands tied behind my back? Yeah, that'd be a trick.”
    Thomas sighed. “I meant, is your ankle okay, or is the boot stuck to your foot?”
    “Feels stuck. Should be fine by morning, though.” He burrowed back into Thomas, getting closer in spite of the hands between them. “If I ever warm up, I'll get some more sleep. That should help.”
    Thomas's groin tightened, but he ignored the first stirrings of arousal. He didn't need to be pushing himself on Leon right now, especially since the other man was clearly seeking out warmth, not a cock up the ass. He didn't need to prove that he was completely incapable of controlling himself.
    He felt inclined to untie one of Leon's wrists—perhaps out of a misplaced sense of guilt. He doubted Leon would run, and it didn't matter anyway, because Thomas didn't intend to sleep while he was untied. He reached between their bodies and found the knot, working the rope until it finally loosened.
    Leon didn't move. He didn't even wiggle his fingers. “What're you doing?” The wariness in his tone was to be expected. He probably thought this was a trick.
    “I'm showing you a bit of human kindness. Are you going to make us both regret it?”
    Silence. He waited for a snide comment, maybe something about how Thomas wasn't human, but it never came. Leon slipped one hand free of his bonds, while the other flexed, over and over again.
    He half-rolled back in order to meet Grady's eyes. “Thanks. And no, you won't regret it.”
    “Good.” He closed his fingers over the back of Leon's hand, trying to warm the numb skin. For a moment, the entire situation struck him as