Burke joined her on the ground, standing near nose to nose. “You’d be in prison, you’d have no say in the matter.”
“Which is why I have given orders now, so my men would know exactly what to do.”
“Abandon you.”
“No. They would save their own lives.”
“You never leave a comrade behind, not when you have fought side by side with each other. It just isn’t done,” Burke insisted.
“It is if your leader orders it so,” she claimed.
He put his nose to hers. “Your men can do as they wish, but if you’re caught while I’m here with the group, then I will rescue you. Count on it.”
She stepped away from him and groaned. “You are the most frustrating man.”
Burke walked over to her. “And you’re not the most frustrating woman?”
Storm was about to argue when she suddenly changed her mind, walked over to him, stood on her toes, threw her arms around his neck, and planted a kiss on his lips that shocked both of them.
She leaned against him, needing to feel his strength, needing his warmth, needing his closeness. He wrapped his arms around her waist and obliged her desire, yanking her up against him.
She pressed her chest hard against his while she commanded the kiss, drinking as deeply as she could of him. She couldn’t get enough of him, and even when she surfaced to take a breath, she nibbled at his lips before delving in for more. She relished the play of their tongues, teasing, sparring and tasting. It was a kiss of hunger long denied, and she felt as if she would never get her fill.
A rustle of branches tore them apart and had both reaching for the weapons strapped to their sides. It took a moment to realize that no one was about, the sound probably caused by a nocturnal animal making its way through the woods.
“I’ve neglected my watch,” Storm said and scrambled on top of the boulder in an effort to put a distance between them, or else she feared she would kiss him again.
“I’ll join you,” he said, ready to hoist himself up.
“No,” she said curtly.
He remained where he was staring up at her. “Why?”
She thought to lie, but what good would it do? “I cannot have you near me right now.”
“Why?” he asked again.
“You distract me.”
“As you do me,” he said.
She smiled softly. “Then it is better I sit here alone.”
He looked ready to object, then shook his head. “I suppose you are right.”
“For once we agree,” she said, laughing softly.
“I leave reluctantly,” he said, turning away.
“I let you go reluctantly,” she said to her surprise.
He turned around. “Be warned, I will have a day of fun—and more—with you.”
Chapter 16
Once home Henry was made comfortable after Janelle pronounced rest and nourishment would heal his bruised and battered body. He had suffered no broken bones. It was as if his captors had enjoyed toying with him, like children tormenting a small, helpless animal.
Burke waited impatiently outside Angus’s hut. Being there was room for only one person in Janelle’s hut, and Peter’s injures required more attention, Henry was placed with Angus. Storm had ordered that no one speak with him without her being present. So here Burke stood waiting for her, anxious to speak with the lad, but respecting her edict.
He watched as she approached, Tanin walking beside her. It amazed him how refreshed she appeared after days of endless walking. Her step was spry, her movements not at all labored, and her lovely face glowed. She seemed invigorated and yet she had gotten only a few hours’ sleep over the last six days.
Tanin parted company with her when he reached his tree house, his wife standing at the base waiting for him.
Storm continued toward Burke with a smile.
Damn if it didn’t go beyond attraction. She had haunted his mind constantly since the night she had initiated a kiss, not that she hadn’t tormented his thoughts before that, but now she was forever planted in his mind.
He wanted to spend time with her, just the two of them. He wanted to get to know Storm the woman, not Storm the outlaw. He knew what he proposed could prove dangerous. She would not leave Scotland and he would not leave his home. How then could there be a future for them? And why did he even consider a future with her?
His thoughts and emotions were playing havoc with him, and damned if he knew what to do about it. What had his father warned him of love? That nothing would make sense. Nothing had made sense since he’d met Storm. Did that tell him something?
He shook the nonsensical thoughts from his head. Storm seemed a willing partner when it came to passion. Why not enjoy her while he could and leave it at that?