Free Redemption (Book Two of the Shipwrecked Series) by Jenna Stone Page B

young.  So beautiful and innocent.  Her lips were full and curled
up delicately at the side.  It was almost as if her face held the slightest
hint of a smile.  Her skin was the most stunning shade of olive and it was unmarred
in its perfection. 
    Quinn’s eyes
lingered over Sarah’s lips.  He fought the sudden urge to lean down and kiss
her.  She had tasted so sweet when they kissed.  He had not been able to get
the thought of kissing Sarah out of his mind.  He scolded himself.  To take
advantage of her while she was fast asleep would never do.  He wanted her awake
and willing when he kissed her.  He wanted to see the fire dance in her eyes
again. 
    Quinn swallowed
hard as the gravity of his feelings settled in.  He listened closely to the
steady thudding in his chest, the sound of his heart beating rhythmic and
strong.  Was he capable of loving her?  Could she and the babe heal the wounds
of his soul?  Could they piece together his scared and broken heart?
    Quinn looked down
at Sarah again.  She looked so right in his arms.  He kissed her forehead again
and pulled her closer.  She moaned sweetly and snuggled into his chest.  Quinn
smiled.  For a fleeting instant, he knew that he could love her.
     He wanted to give
Sarah the world.  He struggled to push away the feelings that tarnished his
newfound happiness.  No matter how hard he tried, the thought crept back into
his mind.  Sarah deserved better.  Sarah deserved a man that was whole and
unbroken. 
     
    ..ooOoo..
     
    Sarah sat up abruptly
in bed.  She was startled into wakefulness and disoriented by her
surroundings.  Her eyes scanned the small cabin and she leaned back onto the
featherbed.
    Quinn’s
cabin.  I’m still here.  I’m still safe. 
    Mairi!
    She
jumped from the bed and pushed the disheveled black masses of her hair back 
from her face. 
    Where
is my daughter?
    Her
heart beat rapidly as adrenaline coursed through her frazzled veins.  Her eyes
darted around the room and when they settled on Mairi, she froze in place.
    A
broad smile overtook her worried face and her hand flitted involuntarily up to
her heart.  Tears welled in her eyes and she bit her lower lip to force them
back.
    Quinn
sat in the chair before the crackling fire, head leaned back against the
chair.  He was fast asleep.  His shirt was off and the fire-light danced over
his tanned, muscled frame.  His unbound hair was free about his shoulders, the
thick chestnut masses curling slightly.
    Sarah’s
heart caught in her throat.  In his large, work-hardened hands slept her sweet
daughter.  Quinn had Mairi clasped to his chest, her bare skin against his. 
Mairi’s tiny fingers were splayed across Quinn’s bare shoulder and her head
rested contently against his upper chest.  Her mouth hung open and she made
occasional sucking motions as she nestled against Quinn in the fire-light.
    A
tear cascaded down Sarah’s cheek despite her best intentions not to cry.  This
was how a family was supposed to look.  This was what Mairi deserved.  She
deserved a father who loved her, who would protect her.  This was what Sarah
wanted more than anything.  She admitted silently to herself that she wanted
Quinn.  She wanted all of him, even the broken parts.  She wanted him for Mairi
and also she wanted him for herself.
    What
sort of magic had Quinn Murray cast over her to make her feel this way so
quickly?  Sarah had hardened her heart towards men, never having been dealt
more than pain or suffering by their hands.  Quinn was different.  He was
gentle and caring and his touch stirred something within Sarah that she had
never dared to imagine was possible.
    She
wanted Quinn and it terrified her.  Sarah had never believed in love at first
sight, but this giant of a man, this gentle Highlander was causing her to
question her preconceived notions about love.
    Sarah
lowered herself quietly back onto the bed, not wanting to wake them.  She
watched them for a few