She tried not to breathe too deep to stop anything from moving against him. It hadn’t even occurred to her to bind her breasts when she’d gone off after her brother. She’d been desperate to get away from her father bellowing after her when she’d run to get her horse. Dressing like a boy should have been enough. All she needed to do was to go find Niall and get his help escaping her father’s demands until he sobered. Surely then he’d realize the horrible mistake he’d made in offering her as payment to clear his debts.
Sean’s legs relaxed against hers. The horse responded immediately and they were trotting then walking when they again entered the woods. Behind her, a sudden downpour started. They were mostly protected by the thick trees.
Sean released her hands before jumping off the horse. Thomasina paused but a moment before rolling onto her belly and sliding down the horse. She could feel his eyes on her but when she turned to look, he was walking away from her to the edge of the clearing.
He shook his head, clearly irritated. He looked out through the pouring rain. The rain so loud, he had to shout. “Doubt it will let up until morning.”
That must have been why he’d started racing. He knew of the impending storm. It was miserable. The rain made everything cold and damp. Thomasina hugged herself for warmth. Whatever angered him—and the deep scowl on his face did indeed indicate his anger—had nothing to do with her. All she did was try to get her horse back.
Thomasina went to her horse, seeking the comfort of a friend. She rubbed her hands down the length of her appreciative beast. “Ye’re looking well cared for.”
“Of course she’s well cared for.” She hadn’t heard him coming toward her. “Do ye think I beat my animals?”
Thomasina stepped back as the man removed the items from its back.
“I dunna think anything. I have sorely missed her. I am glad she is unharmed.”
Sean rested an arm on the horse’s bare back, facing her with a smirk. “And if not for ye, the horse could not possibly survive?”
Without waiting for her reply, he pushed off. He paused and looked about the area before setting the items on the ground. “Either we can be warm with the skins atop or be protected from the cold ground with it on the bottom. I say the top.” He shook out the large length of deer skin as he spoke then stopped to pierce her with his bright, blue eyes. “What say ye?”
He had deep set eyes that sparkled even in the forest’s dimness.
“Um, yea, ’tis fine.”
She wasn’t certain why she kept feeling like she needed to defend herself. Perhaps because he seemed so damned angry. “What would ye have me do?”
Sean looked her up and down then smiled. The type of smile that wasn’t real. An attempt to hold in his annoyance no doubt. “Nothing. Ye’d best stay here. I will see to the food.”
Thomasina wanted to come to the defense of the boy he believed her to be. Why would he act like she couldn’t do anything? Look at all she’d accomplished. She’d gotten her horse back. She’d defended herself against someone much bigger and stronger, despite the tremors that had washed over her at the sight of him. Who could blame her? He was huge, like a mountain, towering in front of her with large, muscular arms that could squeeze the life out of her no doubt. The arms of a warrior. She had held her ground and done pretty well for a boy. Even better for a woman.
Thomasina moved about gathering wood for a fire. A nice blaze awaited Sean when he returned a short while later. He glanced her way a few times but said nothing as he prepared what he’d caught. She turned away from the disgusting sight of having the—whatever—skinned and cooked. Her stomach growled at the aroma of the meat sizzling over the flames.
They ate in silence. The rain kept up with occasional fat drops that worked their way through the thick canopy to plop on them. It wasn’t long before she was being bitten by a variety of irritating bugs.
“Oh, damn.” Thomasina slapped the bug on her arm. Blood oozed across her soaked sleeve.
Sean sat leaning against a fallen log, oblivious, staring into the flames. His long, powerfully built legs stretched out in front of him. He’d retrieved a skin from his sack which he drank from at steady intervals without offering to share. They’d already found a nearby brook with water for drinking so she assumed it must be something stronger.
“Devil spawn.” She slapped another bug dead.
Sean turned his bright eyes on her, his brows low as if thinking through a problem. His long hair hung behind him, pulled back at the crown. Not really blond. More the color of wheat but it looked soft to the touch. He seemed to see right through her.
“Shite!” She slapped at her leg. She must be one tasty morsel according to all these bugs and he sat there totally unbothered.
At least in the cave there had been no flying things to feast on her, just a few bats that kept to their own area. It had also seemed much safer than this place, less exposed. She glanced into the darkness. She couldn’t make out anything beyond the light from the fire.
“Whoreson!” She slapped at her neck and her hand came back bloody. “What to hell!”
Sean raised his eyebrows now clearly contemplating her. As if she spoke a language he didn’t understand. As if he were just noticing her at all.
“Ye have quite a mouth on ye.” He sounded as if he were making an observation. No expression. “Let me ken when ye run out of expletives. I’ll be happy to supply yer youthful brain with words nae child should ken.”
“I’m not a child.”
Sean swept his gaze over her body and she felt the sudden urge to shield herself from his view. When he looked her in the face, he smiled. A knowing smile. A smile that said “I know yer secret”.
“I would not say ye’re a man yet. Would ye,Tommy?”
