Free Borderland Bride by Samantha Holt Page B

front of her, peeking up at him through her lashes. His broad chest greeted her and Isabel forced her eyes back to his face. His kind eyes met hers. Lord, she should have kept her gaze to his chest.
    “Isabel, I would speak with you.”
    I was walking.
    “May I accompany you?”
    She could feel her eyes light up, even as she forced her expression to remain neutral. Aye. She motioned over the wall. Can we?
    The rolling landscape had taunted her from her window for so long; Isabel had found she was desperate to see it for herself. She had thought to talk Dominic into allowing her to leave with some guards, but it would be much more pleasant with Jake at her side. Much more pleasant.
    “You wish to go outside the walls?”
    She nodded.
    “Are you well enough?” Isabel raised her brow at him and he chuckled. “Aye, of course you are. Shall I send for Winnie to accompany us?”
    A pang struck her chest and she shook her head vigorously. Did he not wish to be alone with her?
    “As you will then, lass.”
    They walked silently down the mound and onto the surrounding hills. Isabel’s breath came in sharp pants as they neared the top of the valley. She was not as recovered as she had thought. Jake offered her his hand as they negotiated several sharp rocks and Isabel took it gratefully.
    Gazing around at the moorland, Isabel gathered her breath. She smiled with satisfaction as she looked down at Thornewall, nestled amongst the frost-covered heather. The borderlands certainly had a lot going for it. She glanced at Jake. Aye, a lot going for it.
    Jake’s fingers flexed around hers and she remembered they were still holding hands. Catching her eye, he squeezed them again before letting them go. She burrowed her fingers under her mantle, missing the heat of his strong hand.
    “Isabel, we have received word from Brampton this morn. The outlaws that attacked you have been caught.”
    Her stomach churned as her contentment slipped away.
    What will happen to them?
    Jake shrugged. “A hanging, most likely.”
    Isabel nodded slowly.
    “Are you not gladdened?”
    I know not.
    She was grateful the men were no longer out there, yet her stomach felt hollow. They would likely meet terrible ends.
    “They near killed you. And they would not have thought twice about it.”
    Jake was right. They’d had no sympathy for her when she had fought back, afraid of losing the few valuables she had left. She had thought death was mere moments away that day when the largest of the men had wrapped his hands around her neck. They deserved no pity from her.
    The sight of his chest a meagre pace away, drew her from her thoughts. He shifted closer, bringing his hand up and rubbing it across the tiny scar on her forehead.
    “Thank the Lord, they did not succeed,” he muttered under his breath.
    Lips parting, Isabel stared up at Jake as his finger burnt across her skin. His brown eyes dropped to her mouth, tracing it. Could he hear her heart thunder? With the rush in her ears all but gone, it hammered heavily, competing with the gusting wind.
    He dipped his head forward and waited. She could feel his breath upon her cheek and though the biting breeze swirled around them, Isabel could still smell his masculine scent. His eyes fastened back onto hers.
    Waiting.
    Reaching out, she settled a tremulous hand upon his shoulder. Jake must have taken this as her assent as his lips came upon hers swiftly. Her bruised throat gasped but only a wisp of air came out. Jake’s solid arms came gently about her and Isabel found her hands grasping the front of his tunic, holding him close.
    His warm lips moved carefully, teasing, testing. Isabel’s head whirled as she gripped tighter, and Jake’s hands pressed into her back. His tongue found hers, swirling, seeking, and she became lost in the taste of him.
    Their cloaks swirled about their legs, merging them as one as Jake rubbed up her back. The kiss deepened and Isabel’s body trembled. Lord, she had not realised it