Loved By a Warrior Read Free Page A

hampered her vision and slowed her pace.
    â€œKeep up,” Reeve yelled against the swirling wind and snow.
    She raised her head to see that she had lagged behind him, and so she hurried her pace to catch up. With the snow heavy on the ground and it blurring her vision, it was no wonder that her foot got snagged by a snow-covered log, and she went tumbling headfirst.
    Before she hit the ground, Reeve’s arm grabbed her around the middle, yanked her up on her feet, and planted her firmly against him.
    â€œHold on,” he shouted above the din of the storm.
    â€œNo!” She tried squirming out of his tight embrace.
    â€œStop!” he yelled near her ear, and pressed her hard against him.
    She was stunned by the strength of his grip and his fearlessness. He had not given thought to his actions; he had simply reacted. He had saved her from falling face-first into the snow, and now he kept her tucked against him, safe from the harsh wind and the possibility of being separated in this wicked storm.
    Surprisingly, she found herself complying with his command and burrowing her head against his chest. Once done, he wrapped his other arm around her, and they trudged through the swirling wind and snow to the cottage.
    It had been forever since she had been held so tightly. It felt almost as if he never wanted to let her go, or perhaps she merely wished to believe it. It didn’t matter that a snowstorm swirled around them; her only thought at that moment was how utterly wonderful it felt to be held again.
    She fought the tears and the memories of being loved and all it entailed. She hadn’t realized how very much she missed not only the intimate touches, but the simple ones, like now and how he held her so protectively against him, his warmth seeping into her and his strength wrapped around her. And kisses, Lord, it had been too long since she had been kissed. To feel a man’s lips again, to know his touch and to be able to touch him . . . no, she couldn’t think about it. It just wasn’t possible, at least not for her.
    He hurried her inside and struggled to shut the wooden door against the storm while keeping her tucked in the crook of his arm.
    A brief shiver took hold of her, more from her thoughts than the cold.
    He yanked her hood back as he asked, “Are you all right?”
    She tried to step away from him, but he refused to let her go. “I’m fine. You should release me now.”
    â€œWhy? You fit rather nicely,” he said with a teasing smile.
    And she did; she had noticed the perfect fit herself. Her body’s contours seemed to meld precisely with his. It was what had churned her memories; for there had been another time she had felt the same. It was as if two missing halves had been reunited, but instead of the thought bringing joy as it once had, now it brought only sadness.
    â€œPlease, let me go,” she pleaded softly.
    â€œI am not your intended; therefore, it is safe for me to touch you.”
    â€œYou must trust me on this,” she said with sorrow. “It is not safe for you, and I truly wish no harm to come to you.”
    He slowly let his arm fall away from her, and as he did, she stepped away from him. She didn’t dare look at him. She wasn’t sure why. Perhaps she feared she’d see pity, or disgust; or perhaps she more feared what she would feel since for the briefest of moments, his innocent touch had stirred dormant feelings within her.
    â€œYou’ll not be able to hunt in this storm,” she said, wanting to think on anything but that brief spark that had faintly ignited her desire.
    â€œIt would be unwise,” he said. “But we will need firewood.”
    Tara glanced around the room and saw that two broken chairs and shards of broken crocks were the only items in the one-room cottage.
    Reeve didn’t waste any time. He grabbed both chairs and smashed them against each other, splintering them further. He