Read Online Hers to Choose by Patricia A. Knight - Free Book Online Page B

tighter.
    Biron grinned at him. “You look very cold.”
    Eric ignored him. “Tell the men to organize their kits and saddle their mounts. We leave as soon as they can be ready.” Well, that sobered him right up. “I’ll fill you in as we ride. Oh, and, Jon, find me a dry pair of pants.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    It’s a good thing this water is so fucking cold. At least I won’t start out sporting an erection as she tends this wound. He waded slowly out of the water and slopped into the cave, a wet trail of lake water marking his path.
    “I am all yours, Flight Leader .” He stood as involuntary shivers alternated with waves of gooseflesh.
    Sophi turned to face him. “You look cold, Commander.”
    “So I’ve been told.”
    “Stand still, please.” She knelt before him. He closed his eyes at her position and the pleasure of her warm hands unfastening his clammy trousers, stripping them down to his ankles. He did not enjoy the waft of air that circulated around his lower parts. I thought everything had shriveled as much as possible—apparently not.
    “ Step out.” She held his soggy apparel, head down, as he stepped out of them leaving him bare but for his bandages. She lifted her head, now eye-level with his cock and balls.
    “ Oh. I’ll get you a cloth to cover yourself.”
    He could bare ly blow his nose on the scrap of cloth she handed him. He dangled it by a pitiful corner. “I am supposed to cover myself with this?”
    Averting her eyes, she motioned to his groin area. “It appears it will do the job.”
    “It’s the cold water . I’m usually much—oh, hells, never mind. Just change the gods-be-dammed bandage.”
    He cupped his shriveled balls and cock with the scrap of cloth and his large hand. The heat felt inexpressibly good. He closed his eyes and imagined he and Sophi at a different time and a different place. As Sophi’s soft, warm hands gently cleaned and re-bandaged his sensitive groin the piece of cloth became, predictably, inadequate. He finally dropped his cupped hand and simply stood there with a full-blown erection. Ignore that, Flight Leader .
    When she finished, she stood. Abashed laughter lurked in her eyes and played with the corners of her mouth. “Next time, I’ll get you a much bigger cloth.”
    He bent down, picked up the wet slop of his trousers and stalked out of the cave. Damn straight, woman. Now where in the seven hells is Biron with my pants?
    Twenty-minutes later , he walked back to the shoreline where the women suspended Petrina in the cold water.
    Sophi saw him coming and clambered to the shore. “I assume you want to speak with me?”
    “Yes, get into some dry robes. I’ll wait.”
    An eerie howl , as if the seven hells had released their damned, echoed down from the mountains surrounding the lake. Another voice answered, and another, then another, until the air resounded with the banshee wailing of lost souls.
    His eyes flew to the deep shadows of the surrounding crags. Fell wolves. Godsbedamned unnatural creatures.
    Sophi whirled around and shouted to Adonia and Layna. “Get her out of the water. Leave her on the grass. Grab your bows and meet me at the entrance to the cavern.” She took off running in the direction of the cave mouth.
    “Sophi, no! Wait!” Eric shouted at her. She never slowed. “Damn-it-all, woman!”
    He turned and ran to his troop clustered in a tight group. “Queens Guard, prepare to mount! Mount! Saber at the ready! Draw weapons! Loose formation. For gods’ sake, be mindful of the women.” He paused and looked in frustration at Petrina’s still body. He dismounted and threw his reins to Captain Biron. Damnation, I don’t have time for this. “Crawford!”
    “Sir!”
    “Take her up with you.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Eric ran back to Petrina and bent, gently gathering her up, sliding her inert body into Crawford’s outstretched arms. “I don’t know what’s out there, Crawford, but if it’s more than we can handle, you ride like