Free Captured by a Laird by Loretta Laird Page B

unwanted contact of Haigh’s revolting hands. The cold water started to chill Lena to the bone. She longed to climb out onto the bank, but did not want to face Stref Harris.
    “Are you planning to stay in there all day?” Stref drawled lazily. Seemingly reading her thoughts, he was leaning his large frame against a solid tree trunk with folded arms in a casual stance, making it clear he would wait as long as it took to continue his discussion with her.
    “I–I might.” Lena could hear the desperation in her own tone, along with the chattering of her teeth.
    “Your lips are tinged with blue, come out and stop behaving like an infant.”
    “I am fine,” Lena insisted with no real conviction.
    “Well, I am not prepared to be wedded to an invalid who is unable to perform her wifely duties. If you do not come out here, I will come in there to get you.”
    One look at the determined glint in Stref’s eye was enough to send Lena to the edge of the river. Two strong hands pulled her clear of the icy liquid and set her gently on her feet. Inches from her face, Stref’s eyes showed an emotion that Lena would later swear was concern.
    “Are you cold?” he asked, looking down at the clothes clinging to her body, leaving little to the imagination.
    Lena’s face paled as she imagined the picture she presented. She was sure she did nothing to rid Stref of his already low opinion of her. She shook her head in response to his question, but the shivers that racked her slim body told another tale. With one swift movement, Stref pulled off the soft plaid that wrapped around his waist and draped over his shoulder. He reached around Lena and covered her in the warm woollen length of fabric. Pulling the plaid, he forced Lena closer to his chest. Lena could feel warmth encircling her. Her trembling was quickly changing from cold to a deep feeling of safety that Lena had only experienced in this warrior’s presence. She snuck a look at Stref through her dark eyelashes. He was regarding her with undisguised interest.
    “A look like that could get a girl into trouble,” Stref growled in a low rumbling voice.
    “Trouble seems to be my constant companion in recent days,” Lena admitted with raw honesty.
    Stref lowered his mouth and claimed Lena’s in a slow lingering embrace. His tongue traced the line between her two ripe lips, causing her mouth to part. With a groan, Stref pushed his way into the moist warmth of her mouth and began a thorough exploration of its softness. Lena froze against his intrusion, pushing at his unyielding chest with desperate hands. With his own hands, Stref took hold of Lena’s and manoeuvred them behind her back. He held them fast as he maintained his relentless assault on her senses. Lena tried to clear her mind and remember why this amazing feeling was not a good idea. Her mind was clogged with pleasure, and her thoughts became foggy. Instead, Lena basked in the sweet ripple of sensation that radiated through her body. She allowed herself to become lost in the moment, banishing all thoughts of duty or clan. Instead, she became a woman who was being aroused by a man and, if the pressure she felt in her abdomen was anything to go by, was also arousing him.
    Lena allowed a purr of delight to escape her. The effect was instantaneous; Stref broke from her mouth and ran a trail of kisses down her neck. His teeth nipped her soft flesh as she threw her head back opening her skin up for more of the same. Behind her back, Stref transferred her two hands to one of his massive hands, then brought his other hand round to cup her breast. Lena arched into his touch, yearning for the fabric to disappear.
    “This is indeed an added advantage to our union,” Stref spoke into her neck.
    His words brought the chill back to Lena. She pulled back, stepping two long strides away from the man who had confused her senses and made her forget his motive.
    “Get away from me,” she hissed. “You bewitched me with your kisses.