Free Charming the Chieftain by Deanie Roman

Addis would never coddle her ideas. Something had to be done, and quickly.
    “Tell me again what you wished to accomplish with the sprig of heather.”
    She thrust her nose in the air. “No, thank you. I prefer not to be scoffed at for my beliefs.”
    Ah hell, he had bruised her feelings.
    “I promise you, I will no’ scoff at anything you have to say. I shall keep my mind open, but no’ so open that my brain slides out. Fair enough?”
    She gave him a slow smile. “Aye, Chief, fair enough.”
    Understanding passed between them, and then turned into something more. His eyes roamed her curves. She possessed all the physical qualities he sought in a woman — soft, yielding and utterly feminine. His gaze traveled back to her face and noted the high color fell to the creamy expanse of her neck where her pulse throbbed. He took an unsteady breath.
Dare he allow himself to believe the pull of attraction mutual?
    • • •
    Unexpectedly, the very air around them became electrified. All at once, she wanted nothing more than to escape his disturbing presence. When she fled her father’s home, she promised herself to never allow anyone into her heart again. Yet, in a short space of time, Aeden managed to bypass her carefully constructed defenses and mend a corner of her shattered heart. Stunned by the unwanted revelation, her eyes widened in panic.
    Concern furrowed his brow. “Are you all right, lass?”
    “Aeden — ” She tried to push through the quaver in her voice, worried she might blurt out an unsuitable remark. She blushed. Heaven help her, the man made her forget her own name. She needed something to distract him from her odd behavior.
    Dear Lord, what to tell him?
Then a sudden idea took shape.
    “I really must return to the river.”
    He peered behind him toward the river bank then back at her, dubious.
    “You do no’ want to bathe again, do you.”
    She shook her head and it drew his attention to her lush locks. He itched to spread her glorious hair across his bare chest.
    “No. I should like to search for another stone.”
    That statement jolted him back to the conversation.
    “You want to search for a rock?”
    She nodded. “Yes, I must replace the one I used.”
    His brow clouded. “You want to replace a stone you used?”
    Why does he repeat my words?
    “And what became of the stone you need to replace?”
    Ignoring his too-patient tone she answered, “I used it to start the fire that has been burning in the cave these five days past.”
    She followed his scarred hands as they massaged the back of his neck. Tanned, calloused, and strong, they were also gentle, warm. She noticed his bright, clear blue eyes take on a preoccupied, far away stare. Disconcerted by his contemplative manner, she spoke softly.
    “Chief?”
    Her voice broke the spell and he directed his attentions back on her. “Woman, you may drain the river of every rock if that is what pleases you.”
    Without another word, he brushed past her and stalked off in the direction of the water.
    Once again, he managed to throw her off. She did not welcome the familiar sensation one bit. Annoyed, she stood with her hands perched on her hips.
    “I am only in need of the one stone!”
    • • •
    Aeden lounged against a mushroom studded log, one leg pulled up an arm resting across his knee. Relaxed, though alert, he kept his attention on Elisande, knee deep in water. She hitched her arasaid to mid-thigh with the ends tucked securely into the leather belt at her waist. A frown of concentration marred her brow, and she cursed like a soldier all the while discarding one stone after another that she pulled from the water with her toes.

Chapter Eleven
    Weary to the bone, Elisande gagged down the nightly offering of pounded, dried berries, oatcakes, and withered meat strips with the aid of an enormous drinking horn filled with water. She showed the men her appreciation for the meal by swallowing every morsel no matter how much she wanted to hurl