Highlander's Winter Tale Read Free Page A

Cree was a handsome man and never would she think another more handsome, but this man’s sculpted features could not be denied. They stole the breath and captivated attention. His eyes were as blue as a warm summer day and dark brows arched over them in perfect symmetry. High cheekbones defined slender cheeks, a narrow nose, and a square chin. And his lips were...luscious. Some women would think him irresistible, not so Dawn. Cree was and always would be the only irresistible man to her.
    Cree understood why the men shook their heads and watched as every woman scrutinized the man with more than simple curiosity. Cree snapped his head to the side to glance at his wife and he did not like the way she stared at the stranger.
    “I seek shelter from the storm,” the man said his voice so strong and intoxicating, that it brought smiles to all the women’s faces.
    “Your name!” Cree demanded his voice full of annoyance.
    Without pause, the stranger offered his name, slipping off his cloak a he did. “Alexander.”
    Gasps stung the air again, though Cree was not sure if it was because his name matched one that had been called out or it was the lean, hard, stranger’s confident stance that caused the startled responses.
    Alexander ran his fingers through his dark hair, pulling the damp strands away from his face to tuck behind his ears and fall to rest at his wide shoulders. The casual movement brought sighs from some of the women.
    Cree looked to his wife again and he was pleased she did not appear affected by it.
    “May I trouble you for shelter and food until this storm passes?” Alexander asked.
    One of the women stood, a goblet in her hand, ready to take it too him when she caught sight of Cree. The scowl he settled on her had her sitting down abruptly and pushing the goblet away.
    Cree turned to Sloan and whispered, “See that she is reprimanded for her actions.” Cree returned his attention to Alexander. “You are welcome to seek shelter here.”
    “I am most appreciative of your generosity,” Alexander said with a graceful bow of his head.
    Cree had many questions for the stranger, but he would not ask them in front of everyone, for he was not sure if the answers would unsettle many. He would wait and speak to the man alone. For now, he said, “Take a seat by the fire and share in our food.”
    Alexander bowed his head once more before going to a table where women scurried to make room for him and the men refused to budge. The three women at the table fussed over the man as did a couple of servant lasses.
    As soon as Cree sat, Sloan whispered to him, “Old or young alike, he has them mesmerized. We should keep a sharp eye on him.”
    Cree nodded and kept his voice low. “At all times.”
    Sloan understood and would assign warriors to follow the warrior while he was here.
    Cree turned to his wife, raising their joined hands to give hers a kiss. She smiled at him and it warmed his heart, or was it relief to see the love she had for him shining so bright in her dark eyes?
    He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I cannot wait to get you into bed tonight.”
    Her smile grew and she tapped her chest, letting him know she was just as eager.
    While Cree refilled her goblet with wine, he saw that she glanced over at the stranger. He wondered what she thought of him. Did she find him as attractive as the other women did?
    Dawn looked to her husband, then to the stranger, then back at her husband and scrunched her brow and shrugged.
    “You wonder about him?”
    She nodded.
    “Aye, I do as well. How did he make his way here in an intense snowstorm in the middle of the night?”
    Dawn nodded, agreeing with him.
    “I will speak with him privately before we retire.”
    Dawn frowned and gestured that that would bring him late to their bed.
    “Eager to bed me?’ he said with a gentle laugh.
    She smiled and nodded vigorously.
    Cree leaned in close to whisper, “As hungry as I am for you, I need to make certain he