Chapter 5
Storm was relieved that they would reach camp shortly. She had kept her distance from Burke since last night. She was still stunned that he had kissed her—not that it was a passionate kiss. It was over as fast as it started. It was the idea that he had the audacity to even do it.
And what had she done?
She had stood there speechless and watched him walk away and bed down for the night. She had not even reprimanded him or warned him never to do it again.
Why? Why hadn’t she reacted?
The last time she had been kissed was by her husband, Daniel. It was a quick kiss good-bye. It was also their last kiss. No man had touched her lips since then, not until last night when Burke had kissed her.
It had stunned her and made her consider Burke as a man and not just an annoyance. He wasn’t anything like her Daniel. Her husband had possessed a quiet strength and had often teased her about her demanding nature. He’d say it was her young age, she being barely twenty then.
She was, however, now twenty-and-five years, no longer a young lass in more ways than just age. She wondered over Burke’s age. He seemed older to her, perhaps thirty or more, or perhaps life had made him appear older.
Burke was the complete opposite of Daniel. The American was brash and vocal about his opinions and wants, where Daniel had been gentle in tone and demands—not that he didn’t get his way; he just did it with a gentle love.
She couldn’t see Burke being gentle. He exuded an arrogant confidence that demanded things be his way. Yet he had deferred to her, with reluctance, but again in the end it was for him to get what he wanted—his brother’s freedom.
She couldn’t blame him. She had fought so very hard for her husband’s freedom, but to no avail. She had lost him, and it had been her fault.
“How far are we from camp?”
She jumped and nearly tripped if it hadn’t been for Burke’s quick reaction. He slipped his arm around her waist and plopped her back on her feet to continue walking.
“You really need a keeper, and, lucky you, I’m available.”
Storm couldn’t help but smile at his grin.
He wasn’t handsome, as her Daniel had been.
His features were more rugged, each line and groove a distinct map that proved he was a man who had traveled life’s trails with strength and had emerged victorious.
He was a man you knew would be there for you in the thick of things and would never leave your side.
Her heart fluttered at the thought of such strength and honor.
“So, am I your keeper?”
Storm shook her head. “More like my jester.”
He laughed. “I like your sense of humor.”
“You are the only person who believes I possess one.”
“I can attest to it since I have seen it firsthand,” he said with a thump to his chest.
A strong chest, she thought. His shirt had spread wide, revealing thick muscles, and his shoulders were broad and in a way defiant, as if he challenged any who approached him.
“So I claim myself your official keeper,” he said emphatically.
“I don’t need a keeper.”
“This is, what? The fourth time I’ve saved you?” he reminded.
“You only think you’ve saved me. I can assure you that I can save myself.”
“When you can prove that to me, then you’ll no longer need me as your keeper.”
“I need to prove nothing to you,” Storm insisted.
“Afraid you do.” He was even more insistent. “You see, my father raised me to protect women. Not that I haven’t met women who can protect themselves, but there comes a point when a man is needed.”
Storm laughed. “No, there comes a time when a man thinks he’s needed.”
“I disagree,” Burke said with a shake of his head. “You mark my words, there’ll come a time you’ll need me.”
“I don’t believe so, but I will keep your prediction in mind.”
“Good, then when the time comes you won’t deny my help.”
“I would never be foolish enough to deny necessary help.”
“Then you’ll be sure to accept it,” he said much too confidently.
“We’re home,” Tanin said, rushing past them.
Burke looked around.
“Don’t let your eyes mislead you,” Storm advised and took his hand. “Stoop,” she instructed, and together they ducked beneath a thorn-covered arched bush, then squeezed through a row of dense trees to emerge into a clearing.
“I’ll be damned,” Burke said.
“Be careful of your words, Mr. Longton,” Storm warned with a smile. “Some claim this is the devil’s lair.”
Storm was proud of the home she and her group had carved out of the forest. Homes were fashioned in the trees, pulleys were constructed to provide water and necessities, weapons were stored in the hollow of hundred-year-old trees. Life was lived here with purpose and joy.
“This is amazing,” Burke said, his neck arched back as he examined the housing in the trees. “It must have taken much work.”
“It was a labor of love by many,” Storm assured him.
“It would certainly appear that way.”
People called out hearty welcomes to Storm and she responded in kind.
She watched as Tanin greeted his wife, Ellie, a tall, slender, red-haired beauty whom Tanin had loved since they were young.
It always relieved her when she saw the two reunite in a hug.
They were so very much in love, and Storm didn’t intend Ellie to suffer her fate of losing a husband.
“I know you will always return him to me safe,” Ellie called out with a wave.
“Count on it,” Storm said.
“That’s a strong promise,” Burke said.
“And one I intend to keep. Now let’s see where we’re going to put you.”
“Right beside you,” he demanded.
Storm raised her brow.
“I am your keeper.”
She poked his chest. “Not likely.”
He grabbed her finger. “I’m about to invest a large sum of money in you, which gives me the right to remain close by your side. Keeper or not, I intend to be your shadow while I’m here.”
“You are persistent.”
“Some call it demanding.”
“I’m the demanding one here,” Storm said.
“I thought you were commanding.”
“Finally you have it right.”
“Good, so where’s your place in the trees?”
Storm walked off with a shake of her head, leaving him to follow. He was right on her heels.
“Grab hold of me,” she said after wrapping her arm around a thick rope.
“Now there’s an order I can follow,” Burke said, slipping his arm around her waist and grabbing hold of the rope with her.
With a kick of her foot to the counterweight at the base of the tree they took flight, gliding up until they came to rest on a platform built between two thick branches.
Storm secured the rope to a broken branch and joined Burke at the wooden railing, his awe obvious in his wide brown eyes.
“It’s breathtaking,” he said.
“It’s safe,” Storm corrected. They could see the forest for miles in all directions. In addition, she had sentries posted at various positions throughout the forest. No one could approach the hideout without their knowledge. Their home was impenetrable.
Storm walked past Burke to enter her home tucked in the confines of the sprawling branches of the generous spruce.
It was one room, large enough to hold a narrow bed and a small table. A chest sat at the end of the bed, and pegs in the wall held a cloak and a nightdress.
“This doesn’t look big enough for both of us,” Burke remarked upon entering.
“It’s not,” Storm advised.
“I’m not leaving your side and don’t—”
“Follow me,” she instructed and walked out of the room around the walkway that circled the thick tree trunk to enter another room similar to hers, though it contained only a single bed and small bench with a candle on it.
Burke tried out the bed and shook his head. “This bedding needs stuffing.”
“That’s something that will keep you busy.”
“There’s that sense of humor of yours again,” he chided with a smile.
“We all pull our weight here,” Storm said seriously.
“You won’t find me slacking. I’ll do what’s necessary, though a good commander uses the talents of his troop and doesn’t waste them on petty things.”
“Which is why you’ll be joining Malcolm to hunt for food today.”
Burke nodded. “Now you’re using my talents wisely. What about my brother? Shouldn’t we see to sending the men right away?”
“I’ll see to it.”
“I want to be there when you talk with the men you send.”
“It’s not necessary,” Storm said and turned to leave.
He grabbed her arm and swung her around.
“It’s necessary to me. I want to know whom you send. I want to hear their plans and offer advice if called for.”
“We’ve been through this. Leave me to my talents as I leave you to yours.” She reached out, placing her hand over his. “If it is your brother, my men will bring him back.”
Burke relented. “I should find Malcolm and go hunting.”
“A wise choice. Have him also take you to Janelle. She will supply you with clothing while she repairs your garments.”
“You have a seamstress?” Burke asked with a laugh.
“She is Tanin’s mother and a healer and excellent with a needle.”
“You have no talents with a needle?”
Storm had once enjoyed stitching garments for her husband and herself and was quite skillful with a needle. Daniel had remarked that she should start stitching baby garments, for it wouldn’t be long before a wee one was on the way.
She had started a wee garment, in hope that it would soon be needed, just the day before her life had plunged into darkness.
“Storm?”
She shook the painful memories from her head. “I have no time to stitch.”
He pulled her slowly toward him. “You should rest.”
“No time.” His brown eyes reminded her of the rich earth. She had loved to dig in the soil with her hands when planting her garden. It was almost as if she could feel its potent fertility.
That’s how it felt looking into his brown eyes—potent and fertile.
She yanked her arm free and stepped away. “Burke, about that kiss.”
“What kiss?” he asked, shaking his head. “If you thought that was a kiss, then you haven’t known a man. That was just a friendly peck.”
“No friendly pecks then,” she ordered, feeling her neck grow hot and knowing in a second her cheeks would glow bright red.
“Fine with me,” he said, walking past her to the door.
She took a deep breath, attempting to stem the tide of heat rushing to her face before she turned to catch up with him. She gave it a second or two and swerved around.
Burke stood in the open doorway, his hands clasped overhead to the frame and a wicked smile on his face.
“Can’t let you go without tasting a real kiss.”
She had no time to protest. He scooped her up into his strong arms and planted his lips against hers, soft, smooth, hard, rough; the mixture titillated and passion tingled her body down to her toes.
When he finished, he set her on her feet, making sure she was steady before he released her and walked to the door.
“Now that’s a kiss,” he said without looking back.