The Warlords Revenge Read Free Page B

alone.
    “Will you at least turn away while I undress?” she asked over her shoulder.
    “You don't need to play the shy lass for me,” he said. “I'm certain you're well used to shedding your clothes for men.”
    She glared at him. Unbelievable . “You're certain, are you? I suppose I have whore written all over me.”
    He nodded. “Aye.”
    Jane wanted to set the awful man straight, but he probably wouldn't believe her, and if she let him know she was a virgin, he might hurt her worse. It would be best to keep her mouth shut. The less he knew about her, the better. She'd have the element of surprise on her side, and that would be the only way to topple a man like Gavyn MacLaren .
    She turned her back to him and whisked off her clothes and shoes. She climbed into the bath, keeping her back to him. Hopefully he hadn't seen much. Mortified, she sank under the water. When she surfaced, she hurried with the soap, washing the dirt and blood away. She inspected the bruises around her wrists and on her legs. She hated to think there might be more on her back from the fall Gavyn had given her.
    She washed her hair and started combing it out with her fingers when she saw him appear next to the tub. She pulled her knees to her chest, hugging them to her. He started unfastening his trousers.
    “What are you doing?” She felt a tremor of fear. She wasn't ready for this.
    “I'm joining you.” He dropped his trousers. His large erection hung heavy in front of her and she turned away from him.
    That was the second time she'd seen a naked man. The first had been when she'd spied on a neighbor she once had; a good-looking bachelor who liked to swim naked in his pond every afternoon, right before tea. She'd only been curious and figured a little peek wouldn't hurt. No one had ever found out.
    When Gavyn slid into the tub, Jane reached for a towel and clambered out, almost tripping over the edge before she got the towel wrapped around her. He lunged for her but she backed away across the room.
    “I'm not bathing with you.” She shivered as water dripped to the floor around her.
    “I thought I could wash your back.” He raked his eyes over her. “And then you could wash mine.”
    “I've been bathing myself adequately for years, and if you need someone to wash your back, I suggest you ask the innkeeper.”
    “I'd rather it were a pretty, young girl.”
    “I'm sure she could arrange that, though it might cost you extra.”
    “I was referring to you, lass,” he said, rubbing the soap between his large hands.
    Jane felt her cheeks blush. She did find him handsome, and if he didn't hate her she might consider doing what he wanted. She was curious how all that male flesh would feel, soapy and wet under her hands. She wanted to lie with a man. She was ready. Really ready .
    She'd been searching out a husband over the last few months, getting desperate enough that she would have accepted almost any offer. Even an arranged one. She'd hoped a new husband would've taken her away from her dreadful family and now she no longer had to worry about them. They were gone. And she was alone. Hijacked by a warlord. Who wanted to get her pregnant and then probably kill her. She had the most rotten luck.
    “At least dry yourself by the fire.” He scrubbed soap in his hair. “I don't need you catching cold and slowing me down.” He ducked under the water to rinse.
    Jane shuffled over to the hearth, basking in the heat of the orange blaze. What she really needed was to dry her hair, but she only had one towel, and she wasn’t taking it off in front of Gavyn . She walked over to her pile of clothes next to the tub and searched her undergarments until she found her shift. It was the only garment of hers the warlord hadn't damaged. Funny.
    Gavyn’s wet hand shot out and latched onto her wrist. “What are you looking for?”
    She narrowed her eyes, irritated by his tyrannical behavior. “Something to put on.”
    “You'll no' need anything to