Taken By Storm Part 19

She shook her head. It was a foolish thought. She had no time for fun.

"You shook your head, therefore I'm going to have to make it an order."

"An order?" She laughed.

He shook a finger at her. "I'm warning you. You had better take me seriously, or one day soon, I'm

going to capture you-no, I'm going to rescue you for a fun day."

The idea appealed to her, spending a day without worry, without plans, without having to lead and make decisions.

"You can try," she challenged, and secretly wished that he might just do as he warned.

"I won't just try," he a.s.sured her. "I will be successful in my rescue and you will have a fun day, even if

you attempt not to."

"You will force fun on me."

He leaned into her. "I will torture you with it."

She doubted he would need to torture. She enjoyed his company and would find spending time with him

pleasing, perhaps much too pleasing. Since for the moment she thoroughly favored the warmth of his

body seeping into hers."You'd have to capture me, and being the king's men are unable to do that, it's doubtful you could." Shehoped he didn't hear the regret in her voice.

He laughed and leaned his face next to hers. "You failed to realize one thing."

"What's that?"

"I'm an arrogant American who believes he can accomplish anything, therefore, I can do what the king's

men can't.""You truly believe you can capture me?" she asked with a grin."Rescue," he corrected. "I'd always rescue you. No matter where you are. I promise you that."His tenacious pledge caused a chill to race through her."You cannot promise me that," she insisted, moving away from him to the edge of the boulder.He followed. "I most certainly can.""You must not. I need your word on it.""I will do no such thing," he snapped.She had given these same such orders to each person in her group and it had never disturbed her as it did now. She felt an ache within her that she didn't understand as she relayed her orders to him."It is understood that if I am captured, the group will not attempt to rescue me.""That's ridiculous," Burke said empathically."You don't understand.""Enlighten me."She sighed to release her own frustration. Why did it disturb her so to say to him what she had said countless times before?

"If caught, I would be taken to Weighton, an impregnable prison. Anyone attempting to rescue me would

surely be caught and killed. I will not have that on my account. There will be no rescue."

"Your men agreed to this?"

He sounded annoyed and she attempted to explain, "You must understand-"

"Never would I understand your men leaving you to rot or be tortured in a prison, impregnable or not. I

would give my life trying to save you."

Storm jumped off the boulder and turned to face him, her hands firmly planted on her slim waist. "You

will do no such thing."

Burke joined her on the ground, standing near nose to nose. "You'd be in prison, you'd have no say in the matter."

"Which is why I have given orders now, so my men would know exactly what to do."

"Abandon you."

"No. They would save their own lives."

"You never leave a comrade behind, not when you have fought side by side with each other. It just isn't

done," Burke insisted.

"It is if your leader orders it so," she claimed.

He put his nose to hers. "Your men can do as they wish, but if you're caught while I'm here with the

group, then I will rescue you. Count on it."

She stepped away from him and groaned. "You are the most frustrating man."

Burke walked over to her. "And you're not the most frustrating woman?"

Storm was about to argue when she suddenly changed her mind, walked over to him, stood on her toes,

threw her arms around his neck, and planted a kiss on his lips that shocked both of them.

She leaned against him, needing to feel his strength, needing his warmth, needing his closeness. He wrapped his arms around her waist and obliged her desire, yanking her up against him.

She pressed her chest hard against his while she commanded the kiss, drinking as deeply as she could of

him. She couldn't get enough of him, and even when she surfaced to take a breath, she nibbled at his lips before delving in for more. She relished the play of their tongues, teasing, sparring and tasting. It was a kiss of hunger long denied, and she felt as if she would never get her fill.

A rustle of branches tore them apart and had both reaching for the weapons strapped to their sides. It took a moment to realize that no one was about, the sound probably caused by a nocturnal animal making its way through the woods.

"I've neglected my watch," Storm said and scrambled on top of the boulder in an effort to put a distancebetween them, or else she feared she would kiss him again."I'll join you," he said, ready to hoist himself up."No," she said curtly.He remained where he was staring up at her. "Why?"She thought to lie, but what good would it do? "I cannot have you near me right now.""Why?" he asked again."You distract me.""As you do me," he said.

She smiled softly. "Then it is better I sit here alone."

He looked ready to object, then shook his head. "I suppose you are right."

"For once we agree," she said, laughing softly.

"I leave reluctantly," he said, turning away.

"I let you go reluctantly," she said to her surprise.

He turned around. "Be warned, I will have a day of fun-and more-with you."

Chapter 16.

O nce home Henry was made comfortable after Janelle p.r.o.nounced rest and nourishment would heal his bruised and battered body. He had suffered no broken bones. It was as if his captors had enjoyed toying with him, like children tormenting a small, helpless animal.

Burke waited impatiently outside Angus's hut. Being there was room for only one person in Janelle's hut, and Peter's injures required more attention, Henry was placed with Angus. Storm had ordered that no one speak with him without her being present. So here Burke stood waiting for her, anxious to speak with the lad, but respecting her edict.

He watched as she approached, Tanin walking beside her. It amazed him how refreshed she appeared after days of endless walking. Her step was spry, her movements not at all labored, and her lovely face glowed. She seemed invigorated and yet she had gotten only a few hours' sleep over the last six days.

Tanin parted company with her when he reached his tree house, his wife standing at the base waiting for him.

Storm continued toward Burke with a smile.

d.a.m.n if it didn't go beyond attraction. She had haunted his mind constantly since the night she had initiated a kiss, not that she hadn't tormented his thoughts before that, but now she was forever planted in his mind.

He wanted to spend time with her, just the two of them. He wanted to get to know Storm the woman, not Storm the outlaw. He knew what he proposed could prove dangerous. She would not leave Scotland and he would not leave his home. How then could there be a future for them? And why did he even consider a future with her?

His thoughts and emotions were playing havoc with him, and d.a.m.ned if he knew what to do about it. What had his father warned him of love? That nothing would make sense. Nothing had made sense since he'd met Storm. Did that tell him something?

He shook the nonsensical thoughts from his head. Storm seemed a willing partner when it came to pa.s.sion. Why not enjoy her while he could and leave it at that?

Maybe because she haunted the h.e.l.l out of him day and night and he worried about her safety all the time. Did he really think that would change once she was out of sight?

"Something troubles you?" Storm asked once she was beside him.

"Trying to clear my head."

"By shaking it?" She grinned and took hold of his arm.

He felt as if he'd been struck by lightning by her simple touch, so strong was the pa.s.sion that a.s.saultedhim. What was it about this woman that made him respond so carelessly, so eagerly, so wantonly?"I've tried that myself. It doesn't work," she a.s.sured him."It's worth a try," he admitted, glad she kept her arm hooked with his. "Anything is better than endless chaos in your head.""Haven't you heard?' she said with a tease. "There is wisdom in madness.""Only a madman would claim that."Storm laughed, though it quieted fast enough. "Sometimes I wonder if madness isn't a reprieve from sanity."

"A double-edged sword that cuts the same."

Storm sighed. "Exactly. What difference does either make in the end?"