Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99325 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
She cricked her neck and stared up at him. He did not wear his helmet; his handsome face was fully exposed down to his sinful smile, and the morning sun shone through the branches just budding with spring leaves to kiss the warm honey-colored streaks in his brown hair.
A handsome one he was, and he belonged to her.
“You smile as you dangle from the tree.”
“I smile at the man I love.”
He leaned over, grabbed her arms, and pulled her up, steadying her as her feet found their footing on the thick branch. “You are foolishly—”
“In love,” she finished and kissed him, almost sending them both toppling off the branch, were it not for Magnus’s quick reaction.
He steadied them and then braced her to rest against the thick trunk of the tree. “Is this tree climbing necessary?”
Reena looked up at the next branch.
“Absolutely not,” Magnus said, shaking his head firmly.
“I need a better view of the surrounding area. With the trees not fully in bloom I can see far and wide and produce a more accurate map. Then you will know all approaches to your land, for one map will follow the other and you will have a clear and concise drawing of your property.”
Magnus gave thought.
Reena suddenly looked alarmed.
“What is wrong?” Magnus asked and quickly surveyed the surrounding area. Seeing nothing to warrant concern, he turned his attention to Reena.
She immediately voiced her apprehension. “I will remain your mapmaker when we wed, will I not?”
Magnus took careful steps over to her side and placed a gentle hand to her cheek. “I would never deprive you of your work. I will provide you with paper, charcoal, quill and ink for as long as you wish, and you may map until your dying day if you so choose.”
Reena sighed in relief and kissed the palm of his hand.
Her moist lips tingled his flesh and jolted his senses, his male senses. “If only we were not in a tree.”
“Are you not the Legend?” she teased. “A man of many talents and skills?”
His hand grabbed hold of her cheeks, puckering her lips. “You will learn well of my talents and skills.” He smiled. “And I will teach you some of your own.”
She spoke between puckered lips, but her response was clear. “Good, I love to learn new things.”
Magnus groaned deep and harsh and kissed her puckered lips. “Damn, Ree, but you excite me in a most unusual way.”
She eased his hand off her face. “I am glad, for I feel myself eager to be with you.”
He ran a tender finger over her lips. “I promise you that our joining will be a time you long remember.”
She kissed his finger. “I have no doubt of that.”
“Map,” he ordered, and she understood. If she did not soon tend to her work, they would be tending to something much more intimate.
Reena made fast work of the temporary map, asking him relevant questions and giving him pause to reflect on answers that would serve him well in protecting his land.
When they were ready to climb down from the tree, Magnus ordered her to remain as she was and not to move an inch. She gave her word, and he grasped the branch and easily swung himself down to the ground. He then walked with haste to his horse, mounted, and returned, stopping the large steed beneath the tree.
“Drop me your satchel.”
She did as he said.
“Walk out carefully on the branch to where I can reach you.”
It was a bare few steps she needed to take, and she took them without trepidation. She had climbed enough trees with Brigid not to worry about one with a thick and sturdy branch.
“Careful,” he warned with a snap, startling her.
She lost her footing and swung her arms to steady herself, but she could not hold her balance, and she toppled off the branch.
Magnus reacted instinctively, his arms reaching out, and she landed with a solid plop right in them. His heart thudded in fright and his breath raced out in a sigh. She simply smiled.
He shook his head. “You smile when you fall from a tree?”
“I smile because I knew you would catch me.”
“You had no doubt?”
“Nay, not an ounce of doubt. I knew you would be there for me. You never fail to help those you love or those your heart will not let you ignore, no matter the price to you.”
One of his men hurried out from the dense tree covering to the small clearing and shouted to him that strangers were spotted in the distance.
“See what they are about,” Magnus ordered and gave a quick glance at the sky. The sun had suddenly disappeared behind a flurry of gray skies and the distant sky did not look promising; a spring storm seemed probable. “The hills just west of here would be a good place to make camp for the night. There are several small caves where we can seek shelter if it rains. Meet me there when you are done with the strangers.”