Free A Dark Guardian by Donna Grant Page B

ordinary, tell us immediately, Bernard.”

    The baron snorted. “That is going to be difficult since I really don’t know what is ordinary anymore.”

    He had a point. Hugh scratched his chin as he thought over their options. “I think it would be better if everyone still think you a drunk. Don’t change your attitude toward anything, especially toward Mina.”

    “Aye, I can do that. What about Mina?”

    “We will tell her ahead of time. We don’t want her acting any differently either,” he said.

    “I don’t know,” Bernard hedged. “I’m not sure I could do it.”

    “We’ll help you.”

    Gabriel rubbed his hands together. “I see a plan forming.” Hugh smiled at his friend. “If everything goes right, not only will we kill that creature, we’ll free this castle and the village from the evil that holds it.”

    “Then, by God, I hope your plan works,” Bernard said.

----

    Mina opened her eyes and moaned. Her body ached from the position she had kept it in most of the night, but it was worth it to see Bernard over that awful addiction.

    With a smile on her face for the first time in months, she rose from the bed. A bath would be just the thing to ease away these aches, she thought. She opened her chamber door and headed toward the bathing chamber.

    Her step was light, as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She had her brother, and he treated her like a sister for the first time since she could remember. Things were looking up, especially with the arrival of Hugh and his men.
    Just thinking about Hugh brought a flush to her body and a strange sensation between her legs.

    She walked into the bathing chamber and came to a sudden halt. Inside the large wooden tub sat Hugh facing her, his arms stretched out holding onto the sides while his head rested back against the tub with his eyes closed.

    If she were a proper lady she would turn and leave, but her legs wouldn’t obey her. Her eyes feasted on the expanse of muscular chest that glistened with water in the sunlight that streamed in from the window above him.

    Dark hair littered his torso, and there was no denying the taunt muscles bulging in his arms, shoulders, and chest. His hair clung to his head and water fell in ripples down the hard planes of his face as though he had just surfaced.

    Breathing became difficult as she let her eyes wander over his splendor. She had seen many men without their tunics as they toiled in the bailey, but none compared to this warrior before her. Those muscles in his arms and chest came from years of wielding a sword and battle.

    And if his arms looked that good what would the rest of him look like?

    Her face flamed at her thoughts, but the simple truth was she would do almost anything to know. She bit her lip and let her eyes roam lower, wishing she could see through the water.

    The water rippled from his movement, and her gaze jerked to his face to find his eyes open. And staring at her.

    Her heart hammered wildly inside her chest, but it was the heat from his dark brown gaze that held her immobile when she should flee. Her lips parted and the breath rushed from her lungs when he stood.

    Never was there a man that walked in this realm or another that could compare to the magnificence before her. He exuded power as if it were a second skin. She drank in her fill of him, following the water as it ran down his chiseled abdomen to follow a trail of dark hair that disappeared in the water just below his waist.

    A small moan escaped her lips when he moved toward her and she caught a glimpse of his manhood as the water moved. When his hands gripped the side of the wooden tub, she knew he was about to leave the water and come to her. His gaze caught and held hers, as if he were giving her time to flee. But she wouldn’t take flight. She wanted this.
    Wanted
    him.

    “There you are,” Darrick said as he came around the corner.

    She didn’t turn towards Darrick for her eyes were riveted on