| down her spine. Or was she simply freezing? Saints above, she sat directly on his lap, feeling the masculine strength of his thighs against her bottom. Their contact sent tides of weakness sweeping through her. Or was it the waves sweeping over her legs, making her dizzy with fear? Either way, Drummond Graham's well-defined mouth hovered mere inches from hers, infinitely appealing. She realized she was growing hysterical, thinking wild thoughts about sampling them when propriety made it impossible, if not absurd, given their circumstances. yet she felt entirely alone in a raging world, with no safety but in his arms. She had no intention of letting go for any reason. Not until they were on solid ground. Mayhap not even then. "I had to save the men." She wanted to explain but had to raise her voice to be heard over the storm. "They looked exhausted. I'm sorry to endanger you as well." "You acted on the impulse of a loving heart." He did understand her--a shocking experience. In her world, men were either too care worn or work worn to take the time, or they weren't to be trusted. An icy wave crashed against her back, and Gemma clung to him with all her strength, glad to have saved the men. She disliked her response to the thunder god, especially at this vulnerable moment, yet what choice did she have but to cling to him? She had never before been at the mercy of the raging sea. If they lived despite her mad decision that put them here, she would owe him a great debt. How would she repay the debt if the best thing for him was to leave the islands? Dismayed by the dilemma, she whimpered as another wave battered them. Drummond shifted her on his lap and tugged at her knees, pulling them up to her chin. He tightened his cloak around her, binding her more securely against his chest. Heavenly warmth. Gemma felt a moan build within her, not of suffering but of perverse pleasure. . . . [end] |
An excerpt from Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford copyright 2002 Chapter 3 Gemma ducked her head, shivering with cold, feeling thoroughly embarrassed as Drummond drew her onto his lap. She had vowed not to involve him in island affairs, yet here she was, with both arms locked around his middle, clinging to him fiercely. Nor was staying behind on the rock at all what she had imagined. She had thought to sit in safe tranquility until the sixern returned. Instead, waves alternately buffeted, then tugged at them, seeming intent upon dragging them into the sea. Wind and rain lashed them from all sides. But her greatest danger was this unexpected intimacy with the captivating Lowland stranger. "Thank you for staying with me." She winced as her voice cracked. "I had not realized 'twas you who pulled me from the water." "Impetuous female." He spoke against her hair, tantalizingly close. "You shouldna have left the boat, but I understand why you did it." He understood her? The idea made her nervous. Her female friends had said he seemed in perfect sympathy with them, but she hadn't expected him to understand her. No man besides her uncle ever had. They had also said he was bold and bonnie to look upon, though she wondered if any had seen him from this vantage point. She stole a glance at him through her lashes, mortified by the shivers of excitement coursing |
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