Blazing Earth Read Online Free

herforehead. “Another birth? Or a death?” Stunned by his awareness, she frowned and looked into his dark brown eyes.
    â€œA birth,” she said, searching his face.
    How had he known this part of her? She thought that no one noticed the price she paid each time. Worse, what else had he noticed about her life?
    â€œAnd all is well? Now?” So close that his breath touched her face, he held her securely against his chest, almost as though he feared the worst.
    â€œThe babe is well, though the birth started out with much difficulty. I thought I might lose both of them.” Thea leaned her forehead against his skin, inhaling the scent of him, allowing his strong arms to hold her.
    A companionable silence surrounded them, and the sounds of the night creatures echoed in the forest. When the shivering stopped and she felt more at ease, she lifted her head and released her hold on him. A hold she had not even realized she’d had. Sliding her hands from under his belt at his back, she stepped back. A mistake, for it granted her a better look at Tolan, the overseer of Lord Geoffrey’s lands.
    He was taller than most men who lived and worked here, his dark hair touching his shoulders, shoulders strengthened through working with the land. Lean and muscled, his body held no softness. Every part of him was strong and sculpted. She shivered once more, but this had nothing to do with being chilled and everything to do with her intimate knowledge of every inch of his body.
    â€œHave you eaten?” he asked, meeting her gaze andsmiling at what he saw there. She knew he recognized the hunger in her eyes that matched that in his own. And it was not for food.
    â€œI have had little this day,” she admitted, smiling at him for the first time. “Surely you have eaten your supper?”
    The night had fallen some time ago and she knew that he had a girl to make his and his son’s meals. He held out his hand to her. “Come. There is plenty in the pot and ’tis still warm. Even some bread and cheese.”
    â€œI wanted to wash,” she said, glancing at the water.
    â€œThe water is frigid here, Thea. I will warm some for your use.”
    Thea knew that warming the water would lead to him helping her bathe. And that would lead to other pleasurable things. But her exhaustion was bone-deep and she doubted anything could rouse her body and keep her awake this night. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her back down the path to the village to his cottage even knowing ’twould do him no good.
    They paused at his home to get the promised food before walking on to hers. While she ate, he built up the fire in the hearth and heated water for her use, all without uttering a word. Then she felt him at her back as he pulled her to stand. Thea’s first thought was that she was too exhausted for anything but sleep, but even she was surprised when her body sought not sleep but more of his caresses.
    Once she was clean, his touch became something else, something more insistent and enticing. Arousingand invigorating. With few demands of his own and with an unexpected patience and generosity, Tolan tended to her through the night.
    His touch and attentions eased her worries and the tension that followed her for days after seeing to a birth or death. His mouth and hands awakened the joy from deep within her and allowed her body to rejuvenate and refresh itself. His words soothed the fragility that haunted her yet and made her feel alive and living. All things she’d never expected to find with any man after her husband had died. She fell asleep smiling at that realization.
    But the next morn, when she woke in her own bed and he was gone, she swore she would never underestimate his determination again.
    When Thea rose and dressed, readying for another busy day in her life here, she noticed it. A patch of skin, on her forearm, was red and raised there. Almost like a burn, but she knew she had