Free The Betrayal by Ruth Langan

she whispered against his lips, “before we leave for your home?”
    The sweetness of her breath mingled with his. He breathed her in, wanting more than anything in the world to taste more. To take more thanher kisses. He wanted her with a fierceness that was like an ache.
    He dipped his head and kissed her again, while his hands moved over her, pleasuring them both. With each touch, each kiss, the fire within them grew. The need within them churned, until they were half-mad with desire.
    Cautioning himself to go slowly, Grant drew back. “I know you’d like the comfort of my home, my lady. I know I’ve already asked much of you, but I would beg another favor.”
    She leaned close, hoping he might taste of her lips again. Now that she’d experienced the heat, she wanted more. So much more. If he asked, she would give all. Here and now, in the grass beside the stream, under the cover of darkness. “There is no need to beg, my lord. You need but ask and it is done.”
    He took another step back, alarmed at the fire that flamed between them. He felt so seduced by her beauty, he could burn to ash with a simple touch.
    Knowing he could have what he wanted only made him more aware than ever of the need to protect her from herself.
    “I hope you won’t mind tarrying here until these good people are safe.”
    She looked down, knowing he’d be able to read the disappointment in her eyes. Not that she minded staying in this humble meadow. But at the moment, her only thought was to have him kiss her again and again, until the heat be came an inferno. Did he not feel what she felt?
    Her words were abrupt. “As you wish, my lord.”
    “Thank you, my lady.” He brought her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to each palm. Then, before temptation could take over his resolve, he turned resolutely away.
    As he made his way in the darkness he clenched his hands into fists. They were, he realized, shaking.
     
     
    A short time later Grant returned, his arms laden with logs. He was relieved to see Kylia asleep with the others.
    Throughout the long night, while he tended the fire and kept watch over the flock, he found himself studying the way she looked by firelight. So sweet. So beautiful, she took his breath away.
    Whenever he got too close to her, he forgot that she wasn’t like other women. It was becoming more and more difficult to step away from the invitation he could read in those eyes. But it was necessary to remember that he was a mere man, while she was a witch.
    A witch. There, he’d admitted it.
    It was the first time he’d allowed himself to think such a thing. But he’d seen the way she could control men’s minds. With nothing more than a lifting of her arms, and a few ancient words chanted in that melodic voice of hers, she could stop an army of barbarians.
    It was one thing to control men’s minds, and quite another to lose control of her own. When she’d offered to accompany him to his Highland fortress, he’d accepted her generosity without a thought to what it might cost her. It hadn’t occurred to him that this was a woman who had never before confronted evil. But twice now he’d seen the fear and confusion in her eyes. Had witnessed the pain that his world could bring to her.
    He clenched his fists, fighting a wave of guilt.
    There was something else he could read in her eyes. The glorious awakening of desire.
    It was bad enough that he’d asked her to use her powers to save his wretched hide. He’d be damned if he’d take advantage of her innocence for his own pleasure.
    Still, the temptation was almost more than he could resist.
    He would have to remain vigilant to see that he returned her to her home as he’d found her. Sweet, untouched and unsullied by his own all-too-human desires.

Chapter Eight
     
    I n the heat of the afternoon Flora lay the sleeping infant beside Ewald, who was also asleep. She glanced at Grant, naked to the waist, busily repairing a wooden cart that had been damaged in the