Page 78 of The Last Warrior

When she lay down to sleep, it was his woodsy scent which clung to the blanket beneath her head. It teased her, making her wish for his caress, though she knew she dare not want it.

But alas, she was weakening toward him. She even suspected he was aware of this as well. However, much to her surprise, nothing between them happened.

Also, he never lay by her to go to sleep, and he was rarely with her when she awakened. He was always on watch, and, although she assumed he rested at some time or another, she had never seen him do it. When she awoke, he was often sitting in the same position he had chosen when they had retired.

In truth, she wondered about his earlier promise. If he meant to lure her into his arms, he was going about it in an awfully odd fashion. He didn’t touch her, he didn’t make overtures, despite the fact she was required to bathe each morning, even when he was the one being required to keep the guard. He didn’t talk to her of lovemaking or their marriage, not even a gentle tease about it.

Indeed, he couldn’t have been more of a gentleman. Problem was, she was hoping he would reach out to her, make some move toward her so she would know he still desired her.

But he did nothing. He was polite, considerate, concerned over her welfare, never pushing her too hard or too long. A few days back she had been so tired she couldn’t go on, and he had carried her. But still, despite him having to touch her, he had acted like a polite stranger.

Had he forgotten the dare he had issued her?

Possibly. There was certainly enough reason to think so. However, there were several times when she had caught him off-guard, had found him watching her, and at those times, there could be no mistake that within his gaze had been admiration, perhaps even hunger.

But at such times as these, he would lower his eyes or look away from her. What was wrong? Something was, but what?

At present, she was sitting on a large log as she watched him draw pine branches next to their shelter. She asked, “Do I smell funny?”

He glanced at her as if she might have been speaking Greek. But all he said was, “Your scent is very pleasant.” He continued to set branches around their rock shelter.

“Is my figure already becoming too plump?”

“Plump?” he answered, not looking up from his work. “A pregnant woman is not plump, she is simply with child. It would be very hard on her child, if she did not grow to accommodate him.”

“Then I am too plump, aren’t I? Is this what you’re saying?”

He frowned, as if sensing here was a dangerous topic for a man. But at least the conversation had one desired effect: he stopped his work to gaze at her. After some deliberation, he said, “Are you finding the trail too hard for you?”

“No.”

Again, frowning, he turned toward her. “Then where is this conversation tending?”

She gave him an innocent look. “It’s not tending anywhere. All I ask is for you to answer my question and tell me if you find me too…chubby.”

He blew out a breath and jerked his head slightly to the left. “You are not pudgy and you are not chubby. You are simply pregnant.”

“Mr. Lion, you are talking all around this and not getting to the point.”

“Hiya, what point?”

“I am trying to make the case that since I am becoming bigger, you do not find me to be so pretty.”

To his credit, he looked taken aback. “Have I said anything to make you think this?”

“No, but you do not have to. Your actions speak for you.”

“My actions? Have I not been considerate to you?”

“Yes, you have.”

“And have I not been taking care of you, despite our journey?”

“Yes, you have done very well in this regard. It’s only that…” She sighed. “I suppose the matter is irrelevant, so…please ignore it. Pretend I said nothing.”

If she hadn’t had his attention before, she certainly had it now. He took his measure of her slowly. By this time, the two lines between his brows had cut deep grooves.

She glanced away from him.