He was forced to meet her eyes and catch a glance of her naked breasts. Damn if he didn’t ache to touch them, so round and perfect and the hard nipples so deliciously inviting. He could almost feel his tongue exploring them, his teeth nipping at them, and his mouth—
He nodded. “I’d say tomorrow or the day after.” He turned away from her. “All finished.” He wanted her to put her shirt back on. Actually, he needed her to cover up. Her breasts were just too damned tempting. All of her was just too damned tempting.
“Thank you,” she said.
He turned just as her shirt slipped over her breasts, and relief mixed with regret.
“You’re welcome. So what now?”
“What do you suggest?” she asked, tucking her shirt around her trim waist and into her trousers.
It was an innocent enough question, but with where his mind had wandered, it was now a dangerous one. He found Storm attractive, which was surprising. He had reminded himself time and time again that she wasn’t at all his type.
She was too petite, and yet here he found himself responding to her like a young buck in heat. He had always maintained control when it came to passion. There had never been a woman who got him hot and bothered with just one glance. Until Storm.
“No suggestions?” she asked again.
He had suggestions but he was sure she wouldn’t approve.
“We continue to question Peter when he feels up to it. If we continue to probe, he may remember something.”
“I thought the same myself,” she agreed and walked to the door.
“Aren’t you going to rest?” he asked, wondering if Storm required any sleep at all. She didn’t look tired. She actually looked refreshed, and he wondered how she maintained her chaotic pace.
“No time,” she said, stopping at the open door. “On the way back we were alerted to a lad barely ten who was recently imprisoned for hunting on the manor lord’s private grounds. He is being held in the village of Mewers. His family has no funds to get him released.”
“So you will.”
“Wouldn’t you?”
Burke walked over to her. “I’m right beside you on this one.”
Once again, the group gathered around the campfire to discuss another rescue mission, and they also hoped to obtain some supplies that were desperately needed.
“Mewers’s prisoners are sequestered in a building behind the manor house,” Tanin informed the group.
“An easy rescue?” Burke asked, not feeling as much of an outsider, thanks to the last few days spent with the people in the camp. He had become more aware of their plight and their pride and could empathize with them.
“Unfortunately not,” Storm said. “Mewers is the one village that has a thriving market which attracts many people as well as thieves, the hungry, and the needy. The manor lord maintains a large troop of soldiers to see that his prisoners remain imprisoned and that his market is safe from those who don’t have the coin to spend.”
“A stronghold of sorts,” Burke said.
“That it is,” Tanin agreed.
“The manor lord there, the Earl of Henwood has close ties with the Earl of Balford. Their properties adjoin and Henwood has been known to hold prisoners for Balford,” Storm explained.
“My brother could be there,” Burke said.
Storm nodded. “There is that possibility, which is why Philip has been sent ahead to gather information.”
“This could prove a difficult rescue mission,” Angus said.
“Not if we plan for it,” Storm said. “Philip will provide us with the information we need concerning the guards’ routine. That leaves the market.” She turned to Malcolm. “You’ve been there, haven’t you?”
“I’ve managed to steal an item or two without being caught,” he boasted.
“Then you and Burke will see to canvassing the market—”
Burke interrupted her. “I’d prefer to be part of the prison rescue.”
“And you may be, but for now, you will learn what you can about the market so that our thievery goes on undetected.”
Burke had learned there was a method to her decisions that usually proved accurate and successful, so he would bow to her expertise and follow her lead. For now.
“When do we leave?” Burke asked.
“Early morning,” Storm instructed and then proceeded to give detailed instructions as to the mission itself.
When the plans were finalized, Burke informed Storm that he intended to speak with Peter again. He was surprised or perhaps disappointed that she didn’t ask to join him. She simply acknowledged his intentions with a nod and turned to speak with Tanin.