Fraser 02 - Highland Quest Read Online Free PDF

felt the tug of desire in his stomach, the tightness in his loins. Her velvet soft lips quivered, then parted, allowing him to sample the mysteries of her mouth. Yet when she finally wiggled free of his grasp, the glower on her face spoke volumes.
    “Bryce Fraser, you are an incorrigible man.” She brought her hand to her lips and backed away.
    “Aye. But now if I perish in my sleep, I’ll die happy.” He smiled and closed his eyes.

Chapter 3
    Fallon fought the temptation to run her fingers through the coarse, black hair dusting Bryce’s chest. Her desire to caress the broad span of muscles beneath sun-bronzed skin was almost too much to bear. While they had never completed the deed, they’d come very close to joining on at least one occasion in the past. She could not help wondering what it would be like to have him take her naked body in his arms, flesh to flesh, hearts beating in unison as he made her his own. She nibbled on her lower lip.
    “Are you feeling well, lass? You suddenly look flushed.” Bryce lifted his hand and stroked her cheek with his knuckles.
    “I’m fine,” she answered abruptly. She peeled back the linen-wrapped poultice, exposing Bryce’s wound. “You’re healing nicely. I’m pleased to see that the area around the burn has not festered.” She applied a thin layer of salve over the puckered skin, then covered it with a clean dressing. She repeated the procedure with the wound on his back.
    “You did a fine job of sealing the wounds. Most women would not have known what to do, nor had the courage to do what was necessary. I’ve seen hardened warriors shy away from the task.” Bryce sat, slid to the edge of the raised pallet, and dropped his feet to the floor. “I owe you my life. Thank you.”
    “I had no other options. You would have bled to death otherwise.” Her eyes trailed the floor as she wiped her hands on her apron. “You grow stronger every day. How long before you leave?” Her stomach plummeted at the thought of his imminent departure.
    “Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked in a teasing tone. “Other than bringing me meals and caring for my injuries, I have seen very little of you during my convalescence. If I dinna know better, I’d say you were afraid to be alone with me.”
    She glanced up to find him grinning, his head cocked to one side. “You flatter yourself, Bryce. I have other things to do besides sitting by your side all day. Now if there is nothing more you need, I will get back to my chores in the garden.”
    Fallon turned, unable to look him in the eye, for fear he’d know she was lying. His stolen kiss the day he’d first regained consciousness had left her longing for things that could never be and she needed to remain focused. The less time they spent together, the easier it would be when he left.
    “I’ll be leaving soon. I’ve already tarried longer than I should.”
    “You are welcome to stay as long as you want.” She spun around to face him. “But I know you, Bryce, and foolish man that you are, I’m sure you are anxious to be up and on your way . . . even if you are not yet ready to travel. There must be a dragon to slay, a village to save, or a damsel to rescue.” She didn’t bother to hide the sarcasm in her voice.
    “Each day, every hour I stay, puts you and your uncle in peril.” After securing a length of plaid around his waist, Bryce braced his hands on the edge of the pallet, and slowly raised himself to a wobbly stance.
    Fighting the urge to offer support, she stood her ground. “That was a risk we were willing to accept and our decision to make. I would not hesitate to do it again, but hope the need never arises.”
    “And I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. But you’re right. There is something of importance that I must do. I’ve been laid up for over a sennight and fear I may already be too late.” His brow furrowed.
    She turned her back to him again, hiding her disappointment. “You’ll