Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
A scowl crossed his brow as he ran his eyes over her. The room had slivers of light from several loose stones and with a full moon it cast a soft glow in the room.
Knox reached out to touch her chest and she slapped his hand away. “You have welts all over you. They must torment you.”
Did he actually sound like he cared how she felt?
He dropped his shirt over her head. The hem reached her ankles, and she struggled to find the arm holes. “Be still,” he ordered.
She complied since she felt lost in his shirt, though she did like the scent, his scent… woodsy.
He untangled the sleeves and got her arms through the holes. “Get in bed. I’m going to find Mother Abbess and see if she has something that can ease the itch.”
“It will go away now that I am rid of the horrible robe,” she insisted.
“By morning?” He shook his head. “Nay, you will be miserable traveling if those welts persist.”
“If any linger by morning, I will get something from Mother Abbess for them.” She didn’t like hearing him dictate like a husband, so she reminded him, “I can take care of myself.”
“Then prove it so I don’t have to.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be no burden to you, more like you’ll slow me down, so keep up or I’ll leave you behind,” she warned.
“Don’t make me remind you that we remain together until the task is done,” he cautioned.
“Like I could forget.”
“Get in bed,” he said and went to the door.
“Where are you going. I told you I don’t need anything for the itch.”
“You forget too soon that a wife is obedient to her husband.”
Was that barely a smile she saw? Her husband was a riddle to her that she had trouble deciphering. He was often brief in his words to people and sometimes she thought he found them amusing, hence the possible smile. But there was one thing about him that she was sure of—he always got his way.
Not with her though. She spoke bluntly. “You forget that you aren’t truly my husband.”
“Aye, and don’t forget it stays that way until I get what I want.”
Dru stared at the closed door. She had to be careful. She had a feeling that her husband could be a dangerous man if she pushed him too far.
She tried to stay awake until he returned but his shirt was warm, and her itch had subsided some and sleep was creeping up on her.
Knox returned to find his wife asleep. He never expected when he woke this morning that it would be his wedding day and to a wee bit of a woman that a strong wind would blow over. There was barely much to her, breasts so small they would get lost in his large hands and the softest curves that couldn’t be felt until he touched her and a tenaciousness that surely got her in endless trouble. But it was her pretty face and mixed blazing hair color that reminded him of the rising sun that lingered far too much in his thoughts. She was not, in many ways, what he hoped for in a wife. She would not suit him. She would not make him a good wife, so why did he even give it thought?
He didn’t want to wake her, seeing she slept so peacefully. He went to put the small crock of salve Mother Abbess had given him after finding her quarters and startling her. It was followed by her endless praises of him being such a good husband. He didn’t bother to tell her it was for selfish reasons. Dru needed rest if she was to be strong enough to start their quest tomorrow. Though he hadn’t liked seeing her so uncomfortable, a feeling that surprised him.
Spotting a large welt on her chest that peeked out from where his shirt fell open, stopped him. He scooped up some cream on his fingers before setting the crock on the small table.
He gently, so as not to wake her, spread the cream over the welt that spread further than he thought. His fingers disappeared beneath the shirt and brushed the top of her breast.
A hand suddenly grabbed his wrist and instinct plus years of battle had him reacting. His free hand grabbed the small wrist and twisted it back.
Dru cried out in pain.
Knox’s hand fell off her instantly. “I was putting salve on your welt.”
“And feeling me up as you did?” she accused, rubbing her wrist.
“I owe you no explanation.”
“Wrong. If I am to help you, I need to trust you.” That was a lie. She would never trust any man.
Knox dropped down to hover over her, his arm muscles bulging as they kept him elevated above her. “I doubt either of us will trust each other during our quest. But know one thing—I will never harm you and never will I touch you intimately.”