Rage and Redemption (Rebel Angels) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to the waist. Her chemise still covered her breasts but his hot gaze settled on the shadowed promise of her nipples.
    Naomi was paralyzed by the carnal hunger in his dark stare. He had only to move his clothing aside to complete the act. Dread cramped her abdomen and bile rose into her throat. A ragged sob tore from her as he shifted her wrists into one fist and covered her breast with his hand.
    “Please don’t do this,” she whimpered.
    He didn’t seem to hear her or he simply didn’t care. He untied the cord at the top of her chemise and pulled the entire length free of the fabric. Without the lacing, the material gaped, revealing her breasts.
    Naomi sobbed and pleaded but he was unmoved by her desperation. His hand returned to her breast, his calloused palm hot against her bare skin.
    His head suddenly jerked backward and his dark eyes widened. Naomi didn’t understand his expression until the long blade of a sword came to rest against her attacker’s throat.
    “Up slowly,” Gideon’s deep voice commanded.
    He dragged the man off her and issued another sharp command. The stranger vaulted onto his horse and galloped away.
    For a moment she was too stunned to move. Then the protective stupor broke and emotions crashed upon her. She rolled to her side and crossed her arms over her breasts, sobbing uncontrollably. She could still see his lustful eyes and feel his hurtful hands.
    Gideon knelt beside her and touched her shoulder. She cried out sharply and flinched away.
    “Naomi.”
    She clutched her tattered clothing to her breasts and curled into herself, each breath loud and ragged. He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers and said her name again. Slowly she turned her head and looked into his eyes. Compassion glowed along with the remnants of his anger. Relief pushed back her terror, but she still trembled with uncertainty.
    “Gideon,” she whispered, struggling to sit.
    He helped her, his hands light upon her upper arms. They sat facing each other, hip to hip, their legs angled in the opposite direction. “Are you all right?”
    She drew her legs up in front of her and wrapped her arms around her knees, hiding her breasts. She couldn’t stop shaking.
    “Did he hurt you, Naomi?”
    Naomi longed to throw herself into his arms, to bury her fingers in his hair and melt into his warmth. Would she feel protected in his embrace? Would she feel safe? “He didn’t… I twisted my ankle but that’s all.”
    As if he sensed her silent longing, Gideon pulled her into the cradle of his arms. Without thought or hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his back and buried her face against his chest. She clung to him, soaking in the comfort of simple human contact. She was safe. He would keep her safe.
    After a long moment Naomi eased away from him and looked up into his face. His arms still held her tenderly, the way she imagined a lover might. “How is it you are here?”
    His features were all harsh angles but his gaze glowed with warmth and something else. Possessiveness?
    “I was looking for you,” Gideon whispered. “You missed Compline and Gabriel was worried.” He gently touched her hair and pressed a kiss to her brow.
    Tears burned her throat but she stubbornly fought them back. She wanted to stay in his arms, to cuddle against his chest until the last of her fear was driven away. But she didn’t know him, couldn’t trust him, couldn’t trust herself when she was with him.
    “How did you know where to find me?”
    His hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb tracing the fullness of her lower lip. “Gabriel told me where to look.”
    “I didn’t see Gabriel before I departed. He didn’t know where I had gone.” She sat up, still mostly in his lap. He was like a wavering mirage, an illusion created by what she wanted him to be.
    His hand settled at the nape of her neck and his thumb stroked up and down along the side of her throat, tracing her pulse. “Someone must have seen you depart. I know