Part 40 (1/2)

preventing her own feelings from surfacing?

”There is too much to presently consider. This must wait for another time,” she said.

”No! Why do you refuse to acknowledge what you feel?”

”You do not know what I feel,” she accused.

Burke stared speechless at her until finally he spoke. ”How can you believe that, when every time we

make love we feel each other's need, each other's love? It is there in our touch, in our kiss, and when we

join. It cannot be denied, ignored, or dismissed. You will have to face it eventually. You love me, Storm, and you fight it. I, however, do not fight my love for you. I cherish it, embrace it, and welcome it. I loveyou, Storm, and there's no changing it or denying it. I love you!””Don't love me,” she shouted at him.He laughed. ”You can't command my love.””It can never be,” she said, shaking her head.

”It is,” he said, reaching out and drawing her into his arms.

She didn't have the strength or the will to fight him. For the moment, his arms seemed like the perfect place to be, for she knew they offered comfort and security, and she presently needed both.

She drifted gratefully into his embrace, and when he wrapped his strong arms around her, she near sighed with relief. She rested her head on his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat. It always rea.s.sured her, though she couldn't say why. She only knew that the strong beat gave her strength and comfort.

She would allow herself this short reprieve before having to return as a leader. For now, she was simply a woman who cared deeply for a man. As far as love, she couldn't consider that. She wouldn't. It would only worsen matters.

It would only serve to break her heart-and his.

They remained in an embrace for several minutes until finally Storm realized that it could go on no more.

The situation had to be faced, decisions finalized, and hopefully commands obeyed.

She eased out of his arms reluctantly and stepped away from him. ”Tell me you will not go meet with the

earl tomorrow.”

His hesitation warned her of his response and her body grew taut, prepared to battle.

”I must take the chance, even if it is a slim one, and meet with the earl.”

”And if I command you not to do this?” she asked with an ache in her heart, for she feared she knew the

answer.Burke shook his head. ”You know I must do this. You know you would do the same in my place.””I'm not in your place. I lead this group, so the decisions are mine.””That's right. The decisions are yours, which means you can respect my choice, even though you disagree, and allow me this.”

He had replied with respect to her position and asked the same of her. He could have simply told her he'd do what he wanted but he hadn't. He left the decision to her as to whether this would cause a problem.”I think you're making a mistake, but-” She stared at him, concern for his safety welling up inside her and squeezing at her heart. ”It is your mistake to make.”

”That's encouraging,” he said.

”I should encourage you to be a fool?”

”I have no other choice,” he argued.

”Perhaps there is.””I don't agree and neither do the others,” Tanin said sharply, causing them both to turn and face him.”What's going on?” Burke asked, looking from one to the other.”Tell him,” Tanin said accusingly.”It could work but plans would need to be strictly adhered to,” Storm said calmly.Tanin shook his head. ”She wants to attempt to rescue Cullen from Weighton.”Burke looked to Storm. ”I thought you said Weighton was impregnable?””It is,” Tanin said.”It might not be,” Storm advised, and both men shot wide eyes at her.”How so?” Burke asked.”I have an idea that might work, but I need to give it more thought before sharing it with you.””I don't like it,” Tanin said.”It may not matter one way or the other,” Burke said. ”If the earl accepts my proposal, then this is a moot point. I don't think we should worry about it until then.””She won't stop thinking about it,” Tanin argued, pointing to Storm.”It may be necessary for me to think about it. If I don't, valuable time can be lost and a man's life may be forfeited. I prefer being prepared just in case.”

”It's unthinkable,” Tanin warned. ”There's no way it can be done. It's certain death.”

”For Cullen,” Storm confirmed.

Burke stepped between the pair. ”At the moment it is merely a consideration that tomorrow may prove

nothing. There's no point in arguing over something that may never see fruition.””Tell him, Storm, or I will,” Tanin threatened.”I gave you an order to keep what we discussed to yourself,” Storm said.”Not this time,” Tanin said, shaking his head. ”Not what you proposed. It's d.a.m.ned foolish and can mean death.”Burke turned an anxious glance on Storm. ”What's Tanin talking about?””I told you, it's an idea that needs further investigation and preparation.””It needs no consideration. It needs ignoring, forgetting, burying,” Tanin insisted.”Storm,” Burke said firmly. ”Tell me now.”Storm thought to ignore them both. She was the leader and her word was law, though it seemed Tanin had chosen to ignore her order. She couldn't, however, carry out her plan if she didn't have the support

and determination of her men. It would take a concentrated effort from all of them to succeed.

”Keep in mind that it is a fermenting thought that needs further consideration,” she advised before continuing. ”The one reason it is so hard to rescue anyone from Weighton is because no one knows the

inner workings of the place. Every prison rescue we're made was successful largely due to the knowledge we obtained about the prison itself.”

Burke nodded. ”When you rescued me I remember that you knew of the cells at the end of the corridor.”