Taken By Storm Part 14

Burke shook his head. "Something had to have happened to make you such a staunch defender of those

in need."

"My land, my people, that's cause enough to fight against injustice. You can't tell me you haven't done ityourself.""True enough.""I imagine you've even stepped outside the law on occasion.""A necessary evil," he admitted, "as now.""You do realize you take your life in your hands by residing among outlaws."Burke shrugged. "I am not known here in your country and I do not plan on remaining here. I hope to convince Cullen to return with me."

"No desire to remain in Scotland?" she asked, wondering why she would even think he would give credence to such a thought.

"My home is the Dakota Territory. I miss it even now."

"I feel the same," she admitted. "There's no way I'd leave Scotland."

They sat silent for a moment, both digesting their declarations and both wondering why they felt disturbed

by the news.

Burke broke the silence. "When Janelle says he's able, I'd like to speak with Peter."

"A good idea," Storm agreed, anxious to move away from the fact that while they were much alike, she

and Burke were also worlds apart. "You may be able to learn something that might determine if the man removed from prison was your brother."

"I thought the same myself, though I know so little of my brother," Burke said with sorrow.

"He could resemble your father. Do you?"

Burke grinned. "My father often commented that I was spared his features and lucky to have my mother'

s good looks."

"So you have no idea what your brother looks like?"

"Not a hint, which is what makes this search all the more difficult," he admitted.

"Difficult, but not impossible," Storm encouraged.

"You really do enthrall me."

"You, Mr. Longton, continually stun me."

"My honesty can do that at times, but then at least you know who you deal with, and d.a.m.n if I don't love

the way my name rolls off your tongue in that thick Scottish burr of yours."

"Pardon if I don't find my name sounding as t.i.tillating on your tongue. Your American accent is a bitharsh on the ears."He laughed and attempted to p.r.o.nounce her name with a Scottish burr. It wasn't long before they both were laughing.

"I prefer your American accent. It does less damage to my name," Storm said after calming her laughter.

"It was worth a try," he said and reached out his fingers to her chin.

She pulled away, uncertain of his intentions.

"No, no," he urged, holding his hand steady. "You have a piece of fish-"

She let him dust the piece from the corner of her mouth, a light dusting as if he barely touched her, and

yet he left his mark. He stirred her senses and sent a s.h.i.+ver through her though she concealed herreaction, remaining perfectly still."You haven't known a man's touch in some time, have you?" he asked, his hand drifting off her."Storm!"She turned to see Tanin signaling her from Janelle's hut."Peter must be conscious enough to speak coherently," Storm said and stood.

"I'll have an answer from you sooner or later," Burke said as he walked off ahead of her.

A chill ran through her, seeping into her bones and causing her to s.h.i.+ver. Was she imagining things, or did Mr. Longton seem interested in her? She shook her head. She felt foolish for even giving the idea credence. He was nothing more than a brash American who spoke out of turn every chance he got.

She was a woman who missed her husband and the intimacy she had shared with him. There wasn't anight she hadn't ached for Daniel's touch, for his hard, warm body next to hers, for the way he held herclose when they slept or the way he teased her body alive with his fingers and his lips.

Somehow, Burke had managed to spark those memories and ignite them. However, it would do her little

good to feed the flame. Mr. Longton would eventually return to America. She would never see him again.

But then her life was far from conducive to finding love. Perhaps she should allow herself to enjoy a brief interlude with Burke and fill the emptiness inside her, if only temporarily.

She could make no commitment to a man or promise a future with children. More than likely she would eventually be caught, imprisoned, and perhaps put to death, or she would live out her days in the woods as an outlaw.

She had no future, a fact she accepted, so therefore she had to live life for the moment, and Burke was here for the moment.

"Storm!" Tanin called out again.

She hurried off, trying not to think about Burke.

"I did not see the man," Storm heard Peter say upon entering the hut.

"Is there anything you can tell me about him?" Burke asked.

Storm noticed that Peter breathed slowly as if it hurt him to take the slightest breath. "Take your time,"

she said, kneeling beside him.

The injured man attempted to smile and winced. "I do know he was given extra attention."

"Treated special?" Burke asked.

"If treated worse is special," Peter answered sadly. "His size probably helped him. He was a big man,

wide with muscle and tall. He had to bend his head to enter the torture room."

"What color was his hair?" Burke asked.

"Like yours," Peter said with a nod to Burke.

Storm watched Burke tense.

"He was a brave one, or perhaps foolish," Peter said. "He refused to speak, answer any questions, deny

any accusations."

"What did they accuse him of?" Storm asked.

"Stealing from the Earl of Balford. A horrendous fate awaited him is what they promised when they finally

dragged him away.""What did he steal?' Burke asked."I don't know," Peter said."You never heard him called by name?" Burke asked anxiously."If I did, I don't remember. I wish I could be of more help." A tear spilled from the corner of his swollen eye. "I am forever grateful for the rescue and am sorry to have misled you."

"Don't worry," Storm said, patting his arm gently. "We would have rescued you whether you were theman we were after or not."The man reached out a feeble hand to Storm. "You're the woman whispered about in the prisons. The one everyone prays will free them."

"I do what I can for those in need."

"You must be careful," Peter urged. "I heard them talking about plans to capture you and make you pay

for your crimes."

"Do not worry about me."

"No. No," Peter protested anxiously. "You must take care. You must not meet such a horrible fate."

Janelle stepped in, chasing everyone out, insisting that Peter had to rest and shoving clean bandages into Burke's hands. "See to Storm."

Storm took the bandages from Burke. "I can see to my own wound."

Burke s.n.a.t.c.hed the bandages back. "Janelle ordered me to see to it and so I shall."

Storm grinned. "Since when do you obey a woman?"

"Since the order is no ch.o.r.e at all."

They were standing beneath her tree house and in an instant, Burke had her around the waist, the rope around his arm, and they were gliding up to the treetops.

She liked the feel of his embrace. He cuddled her against him, holding her firm as if he never intended to let her go. She let her defenses down for a moment to rest her face on his chest and breathe in the scent of him, loving the pungent mix of earth and pine.

His warmth and his strength both penetrated her to the bone and filled her with a sense of peace. She

hadn't felt such peace since Daniel had last held her.

Her head snapped up along with her guard, and when they entered her quarters she said, "I can tend to my wound."

"Better that I do it," Burke insisted, turning the chair around for her to sit after placing the bandages on the table.