Free The Highlander's Runaway Bride by Terri Brisbin Page B

her she could feel the heat of his large body. Her breath caught as he leaned over, staring at her mouth as though his intention was to repeat the kisses shared in the hall.
    Eva fought an inexplicable and traitorous need to lean into him and kiss him back. Her body urged her forward, as his seemed to do for a scant second. Only inches separated their lips as he stared at her mouth and then licked his lips. Something deep within her tightened and ached. She must resist this pull.
    She must. She must, she chanted to herself.
    In the end, he pulled back and sat on his heels, his breathing shallow and fast. His gaze moved to her eyes then, and she saw the same confusion in the deep brown of his that must reside in her own. Pushing back and standing before her, he gathered up the soiled and wet linens and now cooled water and carried them to the door.
    â€˜We should seek our rest,’ he said as he placed the bucket outside the door and closed it. ‘The journey will be difficult even without considering your injury.’ She swallowed and then again as he nodded to the bed before speaking. ‘Let me help you,’ he offered, his usual even tone deeper.
    The kiss had affected him, too, though he clearly did not wish it so. It took but a moment for him to pull down the bedcovers and place her in it...
    And step away.
    Much of what he’d said or she’d said during her illness in the cave and then in the cottage remained a blur. The fever had seen to that. So when she thought she remembered him saying he would not see to this part of the marriage until they arrived at his home, Eva simply did not know if he had said it or not. Now that the time was here to... see to those matters , she waited and watched him.
    But it was his words that chilled her to her very soul.
    â€˜This should be no surprise to you, lady,’ he said, walking around the bed and nodding to it. ‘It should be almost commonplace when you think about it.’
    Fear pierced her at his words, and she felt as though she would faint.
    Did he know the truth? Did he know she was no virgin and had given birth recently? Tempted to utter one of his curses, Eva waited for his next action.

Chapter Eight
    H e watched the colour drain from her face at what he thought was a simple observation. They had slept next to each other for all the nights since he’d discovered her in the cave, with the exception of last night. Granted, she’d been ill or nearly unconscious most of those nights, but he’d never once taken advantage of her nearness or body.
    Not that his body had not wanted to.
    Rob noticed the fear was back as terror turned her pale blue eyes a darker colour. She clenched her mouth closed as though struggling against a scream. What the hell was going on here? Did she fear he would just take her as was his right? Did she think he would use his strength and his body to overcome whatever objections she yet held to their match?
    Christ Almighty! What did she think he was? A ravening beast with no regard for her? Or someone so beneath her that this marriage was an affront to her position? A lady brought low by a simple warrior and not worthy of her?
    â€˜Have no worries, lady,’ he said from between gritted teeth. ‘I have no plans to force myself on you.’ He reached out and took several blankets from the bed, planning to sleep on the floor. ‘I meant only that we have slept next to each other before.’
    Even uttering the words of explanation tasted bitter to his tongue. But the touch of her hand on his stopped him.
    â€˜Wait, I pray you. And once more, I must beg your pardon, sir,’ she whispered. ‘I have never properly thanked you for your care while I was injured and ill.’ He remained still, her hand on his. ‘My memories of that time are confused and blurry.’ She met his gaze then. ‘I remember only the most recent morning and knew not how we came to be in such