Storm had once enjoyed stitching garments for her husband and herself and was quite skillful with a needle. Daniel had remarked that she should start stitching baby garments, for it wouldn’t be long before a wee one was on the way.
She had started a wee garment, in hope that it would soon be needed, just the day before her life had plunged into darkness.
“Storm?”
She shook the painful memories from her head. “I have no time to stitch.”
He pulled her slowly toward him. “You should rest.”
“No time.” His brown eyes reminded her of the rich earth. She had loved to dig in the soil with her hands when planting her garden. It was almost as if she could feel its potent fertility.
That’s how it felt looking into his brown eyes—potent and fertile.
She yanked her arm free and stepped away. “Burke, about that kiss.”
“What kiss?” he asked, shaking his head. “If you thought that was a kiss, then you haven’t known a man. That was just a friendly peck.”
“No friendly pecks then,” she ordered, feeling her neck grow hot and knowing in a second her cheeks would glow bright red.
“Fine with me,” he said, walking past her to the door.
She took a deep breath, attempting to stem the tide of heat rushing to her face before she turned to catch up with him. She gave it a second or two and swerved around.
Burke stood in the open doorway, his hands clasped overhead to the frame and a wicked smile on his face.
“Can’t let you go without tasting a real kiss.”
She had no time to protest. He scooped her up into his strong arms and planted his lips against hers, soft, smooth, hard, rough; the mixture titillated and passion tingled her body down to her toes. When he finished, he set her on her feet, making sure she was steady before he released her and walked to the door.
“Now that’s a kiss,” he said without looking back.
Chapter 6
Burke rode down the rope with a fire in his loins. He had wanted to make certain Storm tasted a real kiss but he never intended to get such pleasure from it. She was a mere wisp of a woman, a beauty for sure, but not his type. He liked women large and sturdy with good hips that could bear him children without his worrying he’d lose his wife in childbirth.
No, Storm wasn’t his type. He’d forever worry about her. Lord, a good gusty wind would blow her away, not to mention what a harsh Dakota winter would do to her.
He shook his head. Why the hell was he thinking of her in Dakota Territory? He wasn’t here to find a wife. There were plenty of women back home interested in filling that position. He was here to find his brother, and he’d do well to keep his mind on that.
She lived in the trees.
Damned if he didn’t admire the home she had carved out of the forest for her group. Only a woman with extraordinary strength and courage could manage to create and sustain a home in the wilderness. She really wasn’t that different from the women who braved the American frontier.
But she was so tiny. Where did she find the strength?
“Heard you are hunting with me today,” Malcolm said, coming up to him.
How did he know that? Storm had just informed Burke of it.
Malcolm slapped him on the back. “Storm gave orders to Tanin to relay to me and others before entering camp.”
“She certainly stays on top of things.”
“She devises plans before we even finish discussing the issue.” Malcolm shook his head. “She’s amazing.”
It was obvious the good-looking youth admired her. Burke also wondered if he had feelings for his leader, but then it wasn’t his business.
“Did other men receive orders as well?” Burke asked.
Malcolm nodded. “They already left camp.”
Burke almost swore aloud. Damned if she hadn’t played him for a fool, making him think she had yet to talk to the men she would send to rescue his brother when all along her decision had been made and the men sent on their way.
“Ready to hunt?”
He sure was. He was ready to hunt Storm down and give her a piece of his mind.
“I’d rather have gone with William and Philip than hunting,” Malcolm continued. “They’ve had the most success in rescues. Storm always sends them on the difficult missions. They’re the most skilled.”
Burke immediately regretted his anger. Storm hadn’t wasted a minute in seeing to his brother. She had sent her best men, and for that he was grateful. He would make sure to tell her.
“Come on,” Burke said. “I’m going to teach you a thing or two about hunting.”
Malcolm proved a skilled hunter, and with a few tips from Burke and an hour of practice, he was fast becoming an expert. In no time they easily snagged several hares.