Charming the Chieftain Read Online Free PDF

know evil lurks here?”
    “A cold chill chased a tremor up my spine. ’Tis a sign there are malevolent spirits about.”
    He studied her with an indecipherable look for a beat. “Might not the chill be attributed to the coolness of the night and your lack of clothing?”
    Uncertain what to think, she closed her eyes and opened her senses to flora and fauna alike. She set her hand in the grass near his thigh touching the outer ring of his aura. The charm-stone jabbed her palm. Relief, swift and pure, flooded her body. She slid her thumb along its smooth indent and opened herself further to the natural world. A slight breeze whispered through conifers, carrying the clean scent of pine and beyond, the heavy sweetness of rotted apples. The poignant song of the nightingale, calling to its mate, replenished her soul.
    She opened her eyes to discover his were alight with an emotion she could not pin down.
    “We are protected here.”
    He regarded her a long moment before confirming her statement. “Aye, for the moment anyway. The guards will soon change direction if they haven’t already.”
    She absorbed the information before she spoke. “And you know this, how?”
    One corner of his mouth kicked up in a half-smile. “I am battle-hardened, lass, attuned to my surroundings just as you seem to be.”
    Nothing escaped his notice.
    The air between them practically sizzled. He shoved the long heavy undershirt at her. Head down, she wiggled into the close-fit linen blouse, mindful her ample bosom jiggled with every movement. Nervous, she prayed his attentions were occupied elsewhere. Laced in, she made an unintelligible noise to attract his notice. He faced her and, if at all affected by her semi-nude form, he disguised it well. His apparent indifference dismayed her.
    In silence, he retrieved the arasaid from the ground and shook it out. Deft hands fashioned the cloth around her lower half. When that was in place, he crossed the long ends together and arranged it over one shoulder where it dangled below the small of her back. Next, he encircled her waist with a wide leather belt, securing the garment.
    “You appear to understand a good deal about a woman’s attire,” she accused.
    She nestled her talisman between her breasts. Satisfied it would not slip out; she glanced up and caught his stare. Something intense and indefinable flared to life between them. He started to speak when a cacophony of hooves, the clang of armor and halo-glow of torchlight appeared beyond the previous rise. He gestured to her.
    “Come,” he commanded.
    In a few long strides, he mounted his wheat-colored warhorse. “Ready?”
    In answer, she clasped the strong hand he extended and jumped up as he pulled her forward. The natural inclination to keep her legs to one side thwarted, she straddled the horse instead, his rock-like thighs flanking her. Much to her overwhelmed sensibilities, his familiarity did not end there. A warm hand pressed her midriff until she flattened against his firm chest. The intimate contact he forced upon her, coupled with the earthy scent of his still-warm skin, left her breathless. The tickle of his breath along the sensitive shell of her ear sent icy prickles across her flesh. She swallowed hard, unable to suppress a violent tremor that shook her frame.
    “Cold, lass?” He seemed dubious since the weather was fairly warm.
    “Lass?” he prompted.
    “I am — ” she cleared her throat, “ — well.”
    He snugged her closer, his mouth grazed her ear, and she swallowed. Breathless with anticipation her body tensed.
    “Hold on,” he whispered.
    In spite of the danger, pleasure radiated throughout her body. His muscled hardness surrounded her like a shield. Remembering his command, she dug her fingers into the horse’s mane just before he urged the horse down a deer trail. The animal paced a fast clip, carrying them away from the immediate threat. He slowed the beast to a lope. Her backside rubbed against his