Free Highlander's Challenge by Jo Barrett

admit you were bested by a woman. Typical." She turned back to the bed and gathered up the skirt.
    He snagged her arm and jerked her back around, his nose mere inches from hers. "You'll do as I say, and I'll not have any of your sass." He noted the well-toned muscle surrounding strong bone before she pulled free. And her scent, heaven save him from the soft womanly fragrance teasing his nose.
    "Listen carefully, Sasquatch. I don't take orders from you or anybody else. Those days are long gone. If you don't like it, I'll be happy to leave."
    "And go where? Back tae your henchmen in the wood?" He didn't know why he said it, he felt certain she wasn't in league with the MacKenzies, her confusion earlier said as much. But he couldn't seem to hold his tongue where she was concerned. Or perhaps he was trying to convince himself she was trustworthy because he wanted her. Either way, the woman was going to cause him nothing but grief. With an exasperated huff, she threw up her arms and stomped toward the fire. "I did not have anything to do with 72
    Highlander's Challenge
    by Jo Barrett
    that ambush!" Spinning around, she fisted her hands on her hips. "I saved your stubborn hide and that pretty-boy friend of yours. A fact you seem to have conveniently forgotten." He used every ounce of his strength to ignore the silhouette of her shapely body clearly displayed through the shift from the firelight behind her.
    "I forget nothing." But he sorely wished he could. Storming out the door, he heard her throw words at him no woman should know, much less use.
    What in the name of Heaven had possessed him to confine her to the bedchamber? He wanted her out of his life and far away from Arreyder Castle. And yet, wasn't it wise to keep his enemy close where he could watch them?
    Raking his fingers through his hair at his vacillation, he barked down the stairs for one of his men and gave him explicit instructions to guard their guest. He would discover her real reason for being there soon enough. She was hiding something, she had to be. Why else would she travel dressed as a man? Then again, perhaps she was running from someone. The MacKenzies? Nay, it didn't make sense. Her confusion when he'd mentioned them was too clear, or else she was a fine performer. Disgusted with the mounting questions he could not answer, he turned down the corridor toward his father's quarters. He needed to find out what had transpired since his absence. The puzzle of the she-devil would have to wait.
    "Pretty-boy," he snorted softly, her words coming back to nag him. All women found Ian handsome, especially in comparison to his own rough visage. It wasn't anything new, 73
    Highlander's Challenge
    by Jo Barrett
    but it rankled just the same.
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    Highlander's Challenge
    by Jo Barrett

Chapter Five
    Tuck stared at the door MacLean had slammed in his wake.
    "Ogre," she grumbled, having used up all her more colorful names to call him.
    Yanking the skirt up over her hips, she grimaced as she brushed her fresh bruises with her knuckles. What she wouldn't give for a hot soak and a jumbo size bottle of painkillers.
    She belted the skirt into place then struggled into the bodice. Although she loosely tied the laces, the stupid thing cut her air off. Apparently Elspeth's sister was a bit on the small size in the chest.
    Realizing she'd have to lose the sport bra for the extra room, Tuck stripped down to nothing but her panties. She stretched and shivered from the chill still lingering in the air, then dressed in a hurry, keeping an eye on the door. She wasn't sure if her jailer would burst in again. The way he'd stared at her, cataloged every inch of skin, warmed her in ways she'd never dreamed of before. Never had she reacted so strongly to a man, but then few men had ever bothered to look at her twice.
    She'd been on a few dates over the years, usually army acquaintances, but she'd never given them much thought. They were good company, they had a lot in common, but she never