Free The Highlander's Forbidden Bride by Donna Fletcher

steady rhythmic sound that was quite soothing. Somehow it made her feel all the more safe.
    Her ears picked up another noise, a whistle of sorts, and she recalled the storm and realized it was the winter wind whistling a sharp tune. It was then she remembered where she was and it struck her that it was no cocoon she was wrapped in…it was the Highlander’s arms.
    Panic almost gripped her, but she quickly chased it away. For a brief time, she had a chance to lie in his arms and pretend that she belonged there. She relished the steady beat of his heart, the warmth of his flesh, the safety of his arms wrapped snugly around her. At that moment she felt as if they belonged together, that somehow fate had found a way, against all odds, to make it so.
    She tried not to move, fearing she would wakehim and her dream would vanish as quickly as a whiff of smoke in the air. A moment, she wanted a moment more, though she would have preferred much longer.
    His body suddenly stiffened, and she knew her cherished moment was over. He had awakened and realized that he embraced his enemy.

Chapter 10
    R onan was livid. He had woken to find that it was all a dream. It had all seemed so very real, the scent of apples, her soft body, the silkiness of her hair. But it wasn’t Hope he held in his arms, it was Carissa.
    Lord, but he hated her even more at that moment, and himself, for he felt that he betrayed Hope by holding the evil woman in his arms. What had he been thinking last night when he climbed into bed? Why had he even cared that she was cold? She had never cared about him when he was her father’s prisoner. He should have just let her shiver all night.
    But then that would make him no better than her.
    She stretched full against him, pressing her chest to his and nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck. With his eyes shut and the faint scent of apple drifting off her, he could think of nothing but Hope.
    Hope, who had been so kind, so loving, so innocent.
    Her lips brushed his, and for a moment, a sheer moment, he wished…
    “Damn,” he cried, shoving her away and scrambling out of bed. He retrieved his clothes from where he had shed them last night and quickly dressed, grateful he had left his leggings on. He grabbed his cloak from the peg and, with haste, hurried out the door.
    The sharp wind slapped him in the face, and he smiled, needing the pointed greeting to bring him back to his senses. He had to remind himself that it wasn’t Carissa who had stirred his passion but his own dream of Hope. And the devious woman that she was probably realized that and took full advantage of it.
    He walked to the woodpile, remaining close to the cottage as he knew that it was easy to get lost in such a storm. He retrieved a few logs, hoping Carissa would take the time in his absence to get dressed. He had no desire to see her naked again.
    While he wouldn’t mind losing himself in a woman, it wouldn’t be Carissa he would give that pleasure to. And lose himself was all he would do, for he couldn’t, nor would he give any more of himself. Besides, there was nothing left for him to give.
    He had lost much during his captivity, but he had lost even more when he had lost Hope. He had lost his ability to love.
    With his hands near stiff, he hurried his steps and reluctantly entered the cottage. He busied himself arranging the wood and discarding his cloak before he would even look Carissa’s way.
    She smiled at him as she threaded the ties of her blouse closed. “I’ll have you between my legs yet, Highlander.”
    “Not likely.”
    She walked over to him, her smile spreading and her steps lazy, and ran her hand slowly down his shirt. “You are a challenge.”
    He grabbed hold of her hand before it slipped beneath his shirt. “That you will lose.”
    She laughed, a throaty laugh that had him tensing. She sounded sinister and sensual all at once, and damn if it didn’t prickle his skin in more ways than one.
    “We’ll see, Highlander,