Connie C Scharon [Highland Le Enchanted Lover (epub)

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.""My father will take your head!"His eyes glittered in a cold threat."Then he will die trying.""I canna marry a MacLean!""I dinna recall giving you a choice." His features shifted into a leer."You are distressed by my plan?""Aye, I am.I canna be your wife!""Do you think I will not be an attentive husband?" When Asilinn stomped her foot in rage his face broke into a lecherous grin."What possible benefit can you reap from an unwilling wife?"He stood and stretched his massive frame.His eyes never left hers as he moved to within an arm’s length of her.His penetrating stare made her feel naked."Aside from the most obvious benefit," he said, lightly running his hands down her arms, "I desire an end to this war.Our clans must unite and join the fight against England instead of wasting time in a squabble so old most cannot remember the root of it.""I dinna believe you," Asilinn snapped, jerking away from his touch and presenting her back to him."It is your choice." The MacLean came to stand behind her."But even your father would tell you I am a man of my word.You will be my wife in every sense of the word and the day our son is born there will be peace in the Highlands.""Our son," Asilinn gasped.She could feel the color rising to her face."Aye, our son," he repeated.The seductive promise wrapped around Asilinn in the solitude of the cave sending chills up her spine.He meant to have her and soon—rough and by force, the way another MacLean had her mother those many years ago.It was the only way such an event could pass between two sworn enemies.She forced her quaking limbs still in stoic silence.Jared watched her go rigid.She stood motionless, her waist-length, golden hair shimmering in the firelight.Her skin was pale and creamy—skin that seduced a man by the very feel of it soft beneath his fingers.He would not be so easily affected by Asilinn’s charms.He knew too well what deceits a fair face could hide and he would never mistake who this luscious wench was.She was his sworn enemy from her birth to this day.She was like a statue, grim and distant in her composure.Her eyes held a sad faraway look—his doing.She was younger than he expected, perhaps more readily brought to see her purpose, but see it or not, she would fulfill it."Are you promised to someone?" he asked."If I were promised, would it make a difference?""No."She spun around and pounded his chest with her small fists."You and yours murdered my mother and brothers! I hate you!"He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her tight to him, and lifted her to meet his eyes."Dinna waste your strength.The journey will be long and arduous and no amount of temper will sway my decision."Asilinn squirmed, sending warm enticement to his weary limbs."God’s teeth," he swore when he released her.The wench was too comely for her own good.“Be still! I need a few hours sleep before it is dark enough for us to travel again." Taking hold of her arms, he examined the red skin on her wrists and then dropped them back to her sides."This tantrum will make me tie you again.""No! Please, I wilna run off.I swear.Where could I go? We're miles from my home and I dinna know the way back.My wrists are sore.""You cannot get away from me," he warned.Leading her over to the pallet he had fashioned on the floor, Jared dropped to the ground and swung her onto his lap.He took a short length of rope, tied one end around her wrist and the other around his.Then he lay back on the makeshift bed pulling her along with him.She spluttered indignantly.He ignored her, pinning her possessively against him while he drifted into a light sleep.Chapter TwoAsilinn vigilantly waited for Laird Jared MacLean to find sleep.His heavy arm cast firmly over her, holding her in his embrace.Even if he slept soundly, it would be a real challenge to break free.Her back was wedged against his muscular chest and she could feel every rise and fall of his breath.After she was somewhat certain he slept, she worked her wrist free of the tether binding her to him.It was a more difficult task than she had imagined with no knife to cut the bonds.The barbarian held her so tight she could not reach her dirk.She was afraid of waking the slumbering giant.She tried to make as little movement as possible.He groaned and leaned further over her.His hot breath tickled her neck [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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