Never Surrender Read Online Free PDF Page A

crickets chirped in the night.
    The fire hissed and snapped. Kate watched the orange
flames lick at the crackling, glowing logs that sent red embers floating toward
the flickering stars. A wave of sleepiness washed over Kate, and her eyes
finally closed against her will as she snuggled into her blanket and breathed
in the smell of the open fire.
    Sometime later, warmth at Kate’s back startled her
from her sleep. Before she reached a full sitting position, an arm with the
strength of a bear trap encircled her waist, dragging her back down against the
ground and the firmness of a warm chest. The cold hand of fear gripped her
heart and she struck out at the arm of steel with all her might. As quick as a
trap, he confined her wrists atop one another in a tight grip. Sharp pains shot
through her delicate bones as if they were breaking, and she cried out from the
pain.
    He loosened his hold some. Then with a shake of her
wrists, he growled, “Yuu napi. Ne eppeimi’a.”
    Glancing beyond the glowing embers of the once-blazing
fire, Kate noted the smaller warrior lay asleep across from her. She wondered
if her whole body shook with fear or just her insides. Or was it something else
that tightened every muscle? The stranger in a brown duster again came to mind,
his blue eyes had penetrated hers. Even now, her heart raced at the memories.
    She wiggled her cold, numb fingers and to her
surprise, his grip loosened enough for her to move them. Then his hand slid to
her waist, splaying his fingers over her stomach, securing her where she lay.
Her heart beat like butterfly wings. Kate held her breath, not wanting to
experience the melting at her woman’s center. He’d captured her and could rape
her should he choose, yet she couldn’t explain the sensual betrayal of her own
body. And damn the musky scent of his body that drifted her way. She couldn’t
remember the last time she’d been with a man but she yearned to be touched and
caressed. The way he’d watched her sometimes told her more than he meant to,
she was sure.
    His breathing evened out as he slept. Though she
detested this man for not releasing her, she was thankful for his warmth; if
she could only stop her rapid heartbeat and the fluttering in her stomach. She
decided to remain still and sleep once again overtook her.
    Later, when something struck the bottom of Kate’s
boot, her eyes snapped open to bright sunshine. Instantly she regretted it.
Protecting her eyes against the sunlight, she met the dark eyes of the smaller
warrior.
    “Oh, God!” She sighed, realizing this was no
nightmare, but hard, cold reality.
    The warrior held a hard, crusty biscuit out to her. She
closed her eyes, shook her head in disgust, then opened her eyes as she sat up
to accept it, knowing she might travel all day without another bite.
    Kate glanced around. The taller warrior knelt next to
the pouches, his back to her, packing to move on.
    The man who’d offered her the biscuit stared at her
and she took the opportunity to speak her mind. “I’ll be heading down the
mountain today, alone, but thank you for the food.”
    She rose with her blanket around her shoulders, and
strode away, not looking back. Perhaps they would allow her to leave. Long
strides carried her into the distant trees to descend the mountain, only to
collide with the hard body of the shorter Indian who appeared in front of her.
He pointed behind her, toward her other captor.
    “Hakappu mi’akwanto’i mai e suakka?”
    The angry shout of her taller captor caught her
attention, stiffening every muscle in her body before she even turned around.
If they wanted her to understand, they should speak English. Damn them! The man
before her raised a brow, waiting for her to move.
    These men frightened her, but if she showed it,
perhaps things would be worse. Releasing a disgusted moan, Kate clenched her
fists and turned to walk toward the smoldering fire pit. The taller warrior
strode away, and she glanced at the man behind