“Keeping a safe eye on you. You were injured only a few hours ago,” he reminded with a glance to her shoulder.
“I appreciate your concern, but I really am fine and I can really look after myself.”
“You’ve proven that, but I”—he tapped his chest—“feel better keeping an eye on you. You never know. You may faint again.”
“And you’ll be there to give me a good solid slap.”
Burke laughed and shook his head. “Not likely. You’d be in my arms before you could hit the ground. Then I’d carry you to bed, where you should be now resting, and would see that you stayed there until properly healed.”
Storm cut loose with a hearty laugh, and when she was done and holding her side from the laughter, she said, “That will never happen, Mr. Longton.”
“You’re sure of that?”
“I’m sure,” she said with the last snicker of laughter escaping. “I’ve never fainted, and I seek my bed when I’m ready and rest when I want to. So what you suggest could happen is simply impossible.”
“Never faint?”
She shook her head. “Not once, and as you’ve seen today, I prevented it. And as far as carried to bed?” She stuck her booted feet out and wiggled them. “I have two good solid feet to get myself to bed.”
Burke stuck out his arms. “And I have two good solid arms to carry you.”
Before Storm could scoot out of his reach, he had her up in his arms and was walking off with her.
“Put me down,” she ordered calmly though firmly.
“I will,” he agreed.
“Now.”
“No.”
“I order you—”
“To put you down and I will,” he said.
“Now,” she reiterated.
He dropped her to her feet, grabbed her around the waist, and coiled the rope around his arm to have them springing up the tree.
Before she could voice her objection, he once again had her up in his arms and carried her into her quarters to plop her down on the narrow bed.
“Is this supposed to prove me wrong and you right?” she accused, hurrying off the bed, only to be stopped short by a searing pain to her shoulder. She stumbled and would have toppled over if Burke hadn’t grabbed hold and eased her down on the bed.
“You are stubborn,” he said, keeping hold of her.
“I’m vigilant,” she corrected and took a deep breath against the throbbing pain that remained. “I must be, and dare I say, you’re just as obstinate?”
“You can, but that doesn’t mean I agree.”
“You are forthright.”
“And that you can always count on,” he said and released her to stand. “You and I clash for a reason.”
“And what is that?”
“We are alike.” He walked to the door and turned. “Which means we understand each other more than we realize. Sleep well.”
He disappeared out the door, and Storm sat there staring after him.
