No, when looking now, it was nearlyimpossible to see how she had hidden for so long in their verycamp.
It was inconceivable, enraging and not to betolerated.
He could have her whipped in front of hismen. That would set a nice example. If he did that, however, itmight make her hesitant to bed him.
He could force her.
Like hell.
He had never had to force a woman in hislife. They came to him. Begged to be let into his bed and protestedwhen he ordered them to leave when he was finished.
No, she’d come to him of her own will. Thatmeant physical punishment was out.
He couldn’t let this insult go, though. He’dbe a laughing stock in front of the men and sooner or later theclan heads would use it as an excuse to try to force him from hisposition. It wouldn’t work just as their last attempt hadn’t, butin the meantime, it would be tedious to deal with.
He reached down and carefully lifted her. Sheslept through the transition, settling into his arms more firmly.His chest tightened at the sensation before he pushed it away andheaded to the bed chamber. He needed to think on her punishment. Itwouldn’t do to rush these things. No, the punishment would have tobe perfect.
Shea felt warm and comfortable as she driftedup from sleep. When had they gotten such comfortable mattresses inthe scouts’ transient tents? It had been so long since she’d slepton a decent mattress. Months, at least.
She stretched and rolled onto her stomach. Ortried to at least. An iron band around her chest kept her pinned onher side
Lifting her head, she looked blearily downher body, coming more awake at the sight of a bronzed arm wrappedaround her ribs, right under her breasts. A muscled leg was thrownover hers.
All traces of sleep fell away, and she puther head back down as she cursed silently. She ran through hermemories of the previous day. Fallon had discovered her identity.For someone who seemed hell bent on capturing her, he hadn’t beenthat pleased when she turned up right under his very nose.
He’d left her to her own devices for hours.The afternoon had fallen into night and driven by a stomach thathadn’t seen much food in the past few days, Shea had finally eatensome of the meal. Fed, her body had decided it was time to catch upon rest. She’d curled up on some rugs as they were the softestsurface in the tent besides the bed in the personal chambers, andshe wasn’t getting near that.
Shea examined the fur covering her and lookedaround. She recognized the furnishings from her visityesterday.
Well, just because he had carried her to beddidn’t mean she had to stay there. She shifted carefully under theweight of his limbs as she started edging toward freedom.
“Trying to escape again?” a deep voicerumbled next to her ear.
She froze.
His arms tightened, bringing her body morefirmly against his. Her face burned as a very firm body part nudgedher ass. She tested his hold but gave up quickly when his arm andleg didn’t budge.
“Not very talkative this morning, are you?”his amused voice asked. “I’m sure we can find other things to fillour time.”
One thumb caressed the side of her breast,leaving no question as to his meaning.
Shea found her voice quickly. “Is this howyou treat all the people who save your life?”
“Of course not.” He bit her ear gently and ashiver worked its way down her body. “Just the tiny, delicate oneswho think they can disguise themselves as a boy.”
“So you need rescuing a lot, then? Your poorarmy. It’s a wonder they ever managed to conquer the Lowlands ifthey always have to worry about your safety.”
Shea could have bitten her tongue at thosewords. She didn’t know what possessed her, but whenever she wasaround him the filter that normally existed between her brain andmouth seemed to disappear.
His arms tightened around her momentarilybefore his chuckle rumbled against her back.
“What do you plan to do with me?” Shea askedsharply.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
It was difficult to keep her concentration onthe conversation at hand when his fingers were drawing maddeningsymbols on the shirt covering her belly. It was distracting. Shewished they could have this conversation in slightly differentcircumstances. Maybe when they weren’t touching. Preferably with anentire room between them.
