Wolf Shadow by Madeline Baker Page A

glanced
around the lodge, trying to ignore his nearness. She could hear
Blackbird-in-the-Morning snoring softly across the way. The old woman was
barely visible in the dim light filtering through the smoke hole.
    Winter Rain’s gaze was drawn back toward Wolf Shadow. She
could feel his breath, warm against her neck. She felt her own breath catch in
her throat as he rolled onto his side. His arm curled around her waist and now
the full length of his body was pressed intimately against hers.
    With a start, she realized he was awake and watching her.
    Heat flooded her cheeks.
    “You all right?” he asked.
    “Me?” Her voice came out in a squeak. “Why do you ask?”
    “You look a little flushed.” His voice was low and husky;
his breath tickled her ear.
    “I…”
    Wolf Shadow’s gaze moved to her mouth and lingered there.
She felt the touch of his heated gaze as surely as if he had kissed her. The
flush in her cheeks intensified, and spread downward, flooding her whole body
with warmth. Her eyes widened as his arm tightened around her, drawing her body
closer to his own. There was no doubt that he was feeling better, she thought,
no doubt at all. Just as there was no doubt that he was fully aroused.
    She cleared her throat nervously. “Does your head still
hurt?”
    “I’m hurting in a lot of places,” he muttered.
    Her brow furrowed with concern. “Is there anything I can
do?”
    “Oh, yeah,” he said with a wry grin. “But I doubt you’d be
willing to do it.”
    She looked at him blankly for a moment, and then her eyes
widened as she realized what he meant.
    Chance swore under his breath. She was a maiden, untouched,
untutored in the ways of men and women, not some saloon tart he could bed and
forget. She was a rich man’s daughter, one who was worth fifteen grand to her
old man, and he’d better remember that right quick. He was pretty sure old
Bryant wouldn’t want to find out his little girl had been seduced by the man
sent to bring her back.
    Muttering an oath, he lifted his arm from her waist and put
some space between them. How the devil was he going to sleep beside her night
after night and keep his hands off of her? He hadn’t wanted a woman this bad
since he was a randy young buck.
    Throwing back the covers, he took a deep breath and stood
up. Slipping on his moccasins, he left the lodge and headed for the river. Cold
baths had never been among his favorite things, but this morning, it was just
what he needed.
    He was aware of being watched as he walked through the
village toward the river. Warriors eyed him with suspicion, women and children
with ill-disguised curiosity and distrust. He spotted several sentries keeping
watch.
    When he reached the river, he removed his clout and
moccasins, took a deep breath, and plunged in. He swore as the cold water
closed over him. But it was just what he needed.
    * * * * *
    Winter Rain breathed a sigh of relief when Wolf Shadow left
the lodge. When he was near, she couldn’t seem to think clearly. Her heartbeat
quickened, she felt nervous and excited, as if she was on the verge of some
wondrous discovery. Sometimes it seemed as if she would jump right out of her
skin. She felt her cheeks flush as she remembered the press of his body, hard
and long and lean, against hers; the way he had looked at her, as if he were a
hungry wolf and she a helpless fawn. She had been afraid he might kiss her
again; disappointed when he had not.
    Where had he gone?
    Rising, she pulled on her moccasins and combed her fingers
through her hair. A glance at Blackbird-in-the-Morning showed her that the old
woman was still sleeping soundly.
    Moving quietly, Winter Rain stepped outside. It was a clear
crisp morning. Grabbing a waterskin, she headed for the river. The first task
of the day was to draw fresh water for drinking and cooking, then she would
gather wood for the fire.
    She walked briskly, her gaze darting up and down the shore
when she reached the river’s edge. Turning