Taming the Scotsman Read Online Free Page B

sit on a rock off to the side. “Sit down and let me help.”
    Mistrustful, he grimaced. “What can you do?”
    “You’d be amazed. My father says ’tis a gift the good Lord gave me to help alleviate the damage I cause.”
    Ewan frowned even more at her words as he sat down. “Is your father always so harsh with you?”
    “Nay, he’s a good man. I just tend to unnerve him from time to time.”
    He gave a short snort at that, not doubting it in the least. This woman could try the patience of Job himself.
    As soon as he was seated, she ran her hands through his hair, massaging his scalp.
    Och now, that felt rather nice. Her hands were warm and gentle, and her fingers deftly soothed the pain from his head as she tugged lightly at his hair.
    Before long, he found himself greatly relaxed and much calmer. The tight band of pain loosened.
    A man could get used to this. And for the first time he noticed the pleasant scent of her. She smelled of fresh lilacs and warm sunshine, a scent that was as fetching as the lady herself.
    She was a pretty little maid. Her brat had fallen down around her shoulders to form a shawl while she tended him. Her long blond hair fair glistened, and her figure was trim and ample enough to be well worth a good tupping.
    His body reacted instantly to the thought of her underneath him. To the thought of him tasting her slightly parted lips…
    Ewan sucked his breath in sharply as he hardened against his will.
    “Here now,” he said, rising to his feet. “Enough of this. We have a trip to make.”
    “Is your head any better?”
    “Aye,” he said gruffly. It most definitely was. However, it was his other region that now pained him.
    Clearing his throat, he headed for the small trail that would lead them down the mountain to the stable where his horse was kept.
    Nora followed after him, all the while noticing the ease with which he moved, the manly grace. He was tall and strong and as surefooted as any man she’d ever seen.
    When he wasn’t snarling at her, he was actually quite handsome, even with his thick whiskers covering his face.
    His curly black hair needed a combing, and for some reason she couldn’t fathom, she wanted to offer to brush her fingers through it so that she could remove the becoming tangles.
    He reminded her of some great, hulking bear, what with his massive form, snarling tones and gruffness.
    It was obvious that he and the word “refinement” were complete and utter strangers, and yet there was something about this rugged, tormented man she found strangely captivating, and she wondered if he’d always been so morose.
    Surely as a lad, he’d been laughing and carefree.
    Hadn’t he?
    “Have you always been so large?” she asked.
    He cast an evil glare over his shoulder. “Aye. I came from my mother’s womb at full height. The shock of it almost killed her.”
    She grimaced at his humor. “Do you always walk so fast? I can barely keep up with your strides. I feel like a small child running after a parent.”
    When she stumbled on the rocks, Ewan quickly caught her and set her back on her feet.
    To her chagrin, her hands went flat against the strength of his arms, and she felt the incredible power of his body. The man was a wall of well-toned muscles. One that made her breath catch in her throat and her body erupt into heat.
    Against her will, an image of his nude form spread out invitingly across his bed went through her mind.
    Aye, she knew all too well what primal masculine charms were concealed by his saffron shirt and trewes.
    All six-foot-six strength of it.
    His was a body surely made for sinning.
    “Take care, my lady,” he said sharply. “I have no wish to take you home mangled.”
    In spite of his rough words, there was a gentleness in his touch that belied his tone. Her ogrewasn’t the fierce beastie he let on to be. She was rather sure of it.
    “Why do you wish to live out here alone?” she asked as he withdrew from her and took up his lead