Page 45 of Red Hawk's Woman

Eleven

Red Hawk quietly shut the door. He understood the reason for her upset—he had not been with her at a time of urgency. Pivoting, he took another step forward without looking where he was going. It was a mistake. His guard was down, and he hadn’t sensed she had crossed the room. He fell into her, knocking them both to the floor.

He landed on top of her. The scent of her delicate skin filled his nostrils, and the soft touch of her body beneath his caused his own to respond to her, quite out of his control. Feeling much more like a young boy than a seasoned warrior, Red Hawk gulped.

“You are heavy.” Her breath, sweet and intoxicating, sent his thoughts on to other, much more pleasurable activities. She was so close, so very, very close, and he had only to move his lips a short distance…

He did it. He kissed her. Given their circumstances, he wondered if any man would have been able to resist the temptation.

His lips lingered over hers, his tongue dipping into the delicate recesses of her mouth. For a delicious, wonderful moment, she responded in kind.

As though coming to her senses, she pushed against him. “Mr. Hawk, you are heavy.”

He fell to her side, but he didn’t release her…not yet. Passion still raged within his heart, and although unlikely, there was always the hope she might be persuaded to risk more.

With one arm thrown over her and one leg atop hers, he said, “I am sorry I was not here to help you. I feel bad that you, alone, were forced to confront your attacker.”

Reaching up, he ran the backs of his fingers over her cheek. He knew he played with fire, for he could sense her wrath, but the prospect of touching, of feeling her soft skin beneath his fingers…

She slapped his hand away. “You are still on me, and I am not overly pleased with you.”

He nodded. “Aa, that I am, and I know.”

“Well, remove yourself at once.”

He withdrew his leg from across her, though his arm still held her tightly.

“Mr. Hawk?”

Rolling onto his back, he released her completely. “I was not here because I have been following the man I thought might be your attacker.”

“You have?” She sat up and raised an eyebrow at him. “If that be the case, then you should have been here, shouldn’t you?”

“Aa, I should have. But the man I was following was not your attacker.” Red Hawk sat up, and, crossing his legs in front of him, he looked at her.

She was adjusting her clothing, he noted with interest. The action was curious, for the waist of her dress was very tight against her tiny stomach. Still, she made herself as comfortable as possible, then stared back at him with as defiant a countenance as any warrior he had ever fought. All she said was, “Yes? As you were saying?”

“I was wrong to follow this man. I admit this now. Know, however, that I did not realize this at the time.”

“Hmmm… I suppose this could be true,” she conceded.

“I have discovered, nonetheless, that whoever is doing this to you is clever.”

“Indeed. But you still have not answered my original question, Mr. Hawk. Whether or not you were following this person, you forget our arrangement. We had agreed to meet. I…expected you.”

He frowned. Had her voice quivered?

Omaniit, had he disappointed her so greatly? He inhaled deeply, but the simple action didn’t ease his spirits. Instead the erotic scent of her filled his lungs, distracting him.

“I am sorry I kept you waiting. Perhaps I might be excused when I tell you that the man I followed was one whom I saw enter your room earlier today. I waited until he let himself out, and then I trailed him. This person, however, was not your attacker tonight, for I have had him well in my sights all evening.”

“Oh? And who was it you followed?”

“The sheriff of this town.”

“The sheriff? That’s the most puzzling piece of news I’ve heard tonight. Why would the sheriff come to my room?” She scowled. “Unless… He must have been searching for something.”

“I believe he was.”