The Outlaw's Heart by Amy Sandas

Author:Amy Sandas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2019-09-15T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Two

Gabriel heard the cabin door open behind him, then quiet footsteps on the wooden porch as Eve stepped outside. He remained where he was—leaning against a post, looking out through the tall pines toward the valley. He needed a moment. A moment to steel himself against the way his body and spirit reacted to her presence.

It didn’t help.

As soon as he turned toward her, the sight of her sent a sharp spear of heat down through his center. She had dressed again in the blue dress that was a near-perfect match to her eyes. Her hair was parted in the center and fell free down her back. The pale tresses were damp from her bath, but still created a golden veil around her face and shoulders.

He liked her hair that way.

She appeared more relaxed after her bath, though her gaze was still shrouded. Soft. Beautiful.

The muscles that bound his ribs contracted, stealing his breath. Something inside him ached—deep inside, where words were replaced by instinct.

He couldn’t allow such feelings to take root.

But they dug deeper with every encounter.

As he looked into her eyes and saw evidence of her secrets carefully secured in the depths, Gabriel felt an intense urge to draw her close, into the circle of his arms where he could be the walls that kept her safe.

She made a small gesture toward the interior of the cabin. “The bath will need to be emptied.” Her voice was hesitant and uncertain.

She had likely never concerned herself with such things before. On the night of her capture, her clothing had denoted her status as a person of wealth and privilege. And in the days since, her manner and poise had supported that assumption.

He needed the reminder of how far apart their worlds were.

“I’ll do it later.”

Her soft gaze found his. “Thank you.” Her words seemed to speak to more than the bath, but Gabriel had no idea what else she had to thank him for.

“We should head back.”

Gabriel stepped to the side, nodding for her to precede him down the steps. Her step was regal as she passed by him, her gaze level, but just as she was even with him, her lips parted as she drew a swift breath.

He wanted to believe her reaction to his nearness was not due to fear, but he suspected that was the case. From what he had seen, she had reason to be wary. He just wished she knew there was no cause to fear him.

When they reached the valley and stepped free of the shadows cast by the tall pines, she tipped her face up toward the sun. A soft sigh slid from her lips. The sound of it made his stomach clench.

“Gabriel?” She spoke his name softly before turning to glance at him over her shoulder. “Could we walk for a bit before going back?”

He furrowed his brow in a questioning look.

“It’s a lovely day,” she added as she stopped and turned to face him more fully.

A gentle wind teased wisps of her hair, lifting them in a dance of golden light.

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