Page 76 of The Last Warrior

“Hau. Always, though perhaps you might reconsider and wish to stay here while I, alone, find the trail to your grandmother. I am a scout; I am used to my own company.”

“No. I must go with you. Please understand, if I am with you, I am at least involved with rescuing my grandmother. If I stay here, I will do little more than worry.”

“Waste. Will you turn out the light, then?” he asked, and no sooner had she done so than he took her in his arms, planting a kiss directly on her upturned lips.

She moaned, not able to help herself, the sound seeming to rouse him, for his hands roamed up and down her body, over and over again.

It was delicious, and she sighed, melting her body into his. She might have done more as well, but she suddenly remembered this man might have secrets from her as yet undisclosed.

No sooner had the thought materialized than she shimmied out of his embrace, putting some distance between them. Swallowing hard, she said, “I fear we must set some limits when we are together, for there are still matters between us which are yet unsettled. Know this: as a guide, I put my trust in you, but as a husband, I have little faith. Indeed, until I am able to question Rabbit Leggings thoroughly on the matter, I would ask you to keep your distance from me.”

Although it was evident he listened carefully to her, his jaw had jutted forward. “Then let us go to Rabbit Leggings now and awaken her so you may ask your questions of her.”

“We have not the time to do as you suggest, and you know it.”

“Then perhaps I should tell you,” he said, taking a step toward her. “I have been released from my fear of our making love to one another again. It is no longer necessary for me to withhold myself from you.”

“Oh? You have?” She took a step backward.

“Hau, I have. I can now be a good husband to you.”

His implication was clear, and, though excitement burst along her nerve endings, seeming to come to pool at the apex of her legs, she took another step away from him, if only in self-defense. “You make a rather vivid point. However, though the prospect is…enticing…we would lose time, and at present, time is precious.”

“Hau, but before we go, I should warn you. We will be much alone, and it is my intention to lure you into my arms and to make you wish to be my true wife.”

She gulped and said nothing. However, she took one more step back in retreat.

He must have recognized the effect he had created, for he grinned and reached out to flick a lock of her hair over her shoulder. Then he smiled. “A man so loves a challenge.”

She inhaled on a breath and retreated farther away from him. “It is not a challenge.”

He simply smiled at her. “Now, about scouting. There are rules you must know and agree to.”

“Oh?”

“Hau, it is so. Firstly, one does not walk, one crawls on one’s stomach or knees and forearms, in your case on all fours.”

“On all fours? You must be joking.”

“I am not.”

“For hundreds of miles?”

“Sometimes we can walk.”

“Sometimes?”

“We must go without detection, and these are the ways it is done.”

Closing her eyes, Suzette shook her head. “Oh, Irena, when we at last find you, you and I will have to have a very long talk.”

He grinned. “Are you ready?”

“I suppose I am.” She sighed.

“Then let us be away.” With no more to be said, he bent down, coming onto his stomach, and, crawling along the floor of the tent in this fashion, he exited out the back of it. She followed him—trying to do as he did—into the cover of bushes and trees.

“Irena, my dear grandmother,” she whispered to herself. “Just wait till I see you again. Just wait.”