Part 39 (2/2)

Chapter 30.

W illiam and Philip entered the camp, forcing Burke to release Storm, for which she was grateful. For an instant, though, she thought perhaps it would have been best for him to continue to hold on to her, since she feared her trembling legs might fail her and she'd collapse, so weak did she feel.

Burke's remark had hit her hard. Did he really presume that she would wed him? He had yet to claim to love her, and here he stated that she would be his wife. The man certainly was a fool, or was he hopeful?

He was an idiot.

She spoke with William and Philip and spent a few moments with Tanin before she wandered off to find a secluded spot in the forest. She needed time alone to think.

Burke was making a mistake that he would surely regret, and yet she could not convince him of it. He was so intent on rescuing his brother that he couldn't see that he was making the wrong choice.

How did she convince him not to keep that meeting tomorrow?

How did she make him realize that he was about to do his brother more harm than good?

How did she let him know that she would never be his wife and that she would never go to America with him? And why did the thought upset her?

Hope.

There was no hope for the likes of her. Burke did not understand that and foolishly wasted time and thought on an impossible notion. She, however, was practical, and already a plan had begun to form in her mind. It was a dangerous one for sure, but if it proved successful, Cullen would be free, and she

wanted that for Burke. She wanted to see him set sail for America with his brother at his side.

It would break her heart to say good-bye to him, but she had no other choice. Whether she loved him ornot didn't matter.Love.Lord, she didn't think she'd ever love again. She really didn't think it was possible. Yet Burke had made her feel things long buried, not to mention new feelings that crept in and confused her even more.

She smiled and hugged herself. She so enjoyed making love with him. He was so very attentive and so gentle and so...

Her smile faded and her arms fell from around her. She couldn't dwell on Burke, couldn't even consider

that she loved him. It would only make their parting more difficult.

”You forever try to run away from me.”

Storm startled and shook her head at Burke. ”You should have warned me of your approach, and I don'

t run from you. I seek solitude.”

”You run out of fear,” he argued.

”Fear of what?” she asked, and then thought it too late to retract her answer for she was sure of his

response.

”Fear of my love, fear of being my wife.”

She threw her hands out in front of her. ”This cannot be and I will not discuss it.”

”Why? Because it might make sense?” he asked and eased closer to her. ”Because the very reason we

enjoy making love is that we are in love?”

”There are more important matters to discuss,” she insisted, attempting to dissuade him.

”Nothing is more important than love,” he said adamantly. ”Which means nothing is more important than

you.”

”Your brother?”

”Would my brother put me before Alaina? I know he would not. His love for her would come first, and

rightfully so.”

She held her hand in front of her to guard against him, or was she guarding against herself? Was she

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