Vulcan's Woman Read Online Free PDF Page A

sunshine the white coating turned different colors.
    She folded one of each inside her hand and returned to the
fire. Ivy sat hugging her knees and her eyes were red and puffy as if they’d
been weeping. “Don’t cry, Ivy. You’ve no reason to be sad.”
    “What if I never see you again?”
    “I’ll not let Sledge keep me away long. I’ll find my way
home if I have to.” She held out her hands and unfolded her fingers. The stones
sparkled in the sunlight. “These are for us. They will keep our spirits
together when we’re apart.”
    Ivy’s eyes brightened and she smiled while gazing at the
stones. She reached forward and gently brushed them with her fingertips. Her
lashes fluttered as she glanced at Wisteria. “They are so beautiful, Wisty.”
    Wisteria kissed one strand and then draped it around Ivy’s
ankle. “Know that my love surrounds you, little sister,” she said, tying the
ends with a knot. Smiling, she handed the other to Ivy.
    As Ivy lifted the stones to her lips, Wisteria’s eyes filled
with tears.
    “Wisty, know this signifies my arms. You will always be in
my embrace.” Ivy kissed the stones a second time before placing the strand
around Wisteria’s ankle to secure it.
    Wisteria hugged her sister tighter than ever before, as if
they’d never see one another again. “There will be no sad goodbyes when I
leave.”
    Ivy stiffened. “Uh-oh.”
    “What is it?”
    “Here comes Sledge.”
    Wisteria wiggled free of Ivy’s arms. “I’m going to leave. If
he asks, tell him I’ve fallen ill.” She climbed to her feet and limped as fast
as she could toward the cave.
    “Woman, halt!” he shouted.
    She ignored him, darted into her home and sank to her knees
near the wall where she slept. As desperately as she hated the thought of
uniting with Sledge, she sighed in relief at her father’s decision to trade her
for the hides rather than trading Ivy. Ivy wouldn’t survive Sledge’s savage
actions. Though Wisteria wasn’t sure she could either. Despite him being a
member of their gentle, peaceful clan, he’d shown signs of aggression and anger
toward others. If things didn’t go his way he destroyed property by throwing
boulders or shredding hides.
    No one tried stopping his fits of rage. Not even her father,
their powerful leader. Failing to utilize his authority by punishing Sledge
during those outbursts shocked Wisteria. So did the fact he’d traded her to the
unsympathetic, grumpy man. Had Father truly wanted rid of her that badly? Or
perhaps he’d done it for breeding purposes. But why Sledge? There were other
men in the clan more suitable and to her liking who were also skilled hunters.
Who needed the best hunter when he had the personality of a bear? Obviously her
father hadn’t considered that either.
    But how would he have known since she never spoke to him
about such things?
    She curled on her side with her back to the stone wall.
She’d be safe here. Neither Sledge nor anyone not a part of their family could
enter their cave without permission.
    At least she had privacy and she needed it now to adjust to
the day’s events. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes, and that’s where she
found comfort as visions of Vulcan emerged in her mind.
    Why had he affected her so? Their encounter was brief but
much happened in that short time. How could she ever forget him and the
feelings he stirred, all by one simple touch?
    Her belly squirmed and warmth settled between her thighs. She
placed her hands together and slid them near her private parts, adding pressure
to deaden the unfamiliar sensation. Instead a tingly feeling burst forth and
spiraled from her toes to her tummy.
    Her lips parted and her eyes popped open in surprise. To be sure
she hadn’t mistaken the feeling she added more pressure. The sensation
intensified and spread beyond her belly to her breasts. They tingled and her
nipples hardened. It was intrusive yet it stirred her curiosity.
    Touching herself seemed a forbidden