Read Online Ride The Wild Wind (Time Travel Historical Romance) by Kimberly Ivey - Free Book Online Page B

guys….you know…feel me up
and stuff.”
    “No man has ever
touched you in such a manner.”
    Keeping her eyes
downcast, she haphazardly buttoned her blouse.  “No.”
    He’d already
guessed such. “Again, I apologize. There is no excuse for my inexcusable
behavior.”
    She shrugged.
“Really, there’s no need to get all weird about it. I mean, it was just a kiss
and not much more.”
    “Will you allow
me?”
    “What?”
    He motioned. “Your
blouse isn’t buttoned correctly.”
    “Oh.”
    When she didn’t
move, Antonio reached up to put the buttons through their correct holes, but
her hands slid over his as if to stop him. Eventually, they dropped away.
    “What happened was
much more than a simple kiss,” he said as worked a button through its hole. “I
have no excuse for taking liberties.”
    Her gaze held his.
“Well if it helps ease your conscience, it was kinda nice.”
    Completely undone
by her candor, he dropped his hands at his side. “Yes…perhaps you’d best
finish.” In his nervousness, he added, “I can imagine what you think of me.”
    “I think you’re
a decent guy who just wanted to kiss me. Look, I’m okay with what happened so
why don’t you just hook my bra in the back and we’ll be good again.” She winked.
    He stared, not
understanding. “What is a….bra?”
    “This.” She lifted
her top, exposing the wisp of fabric covering her breasts. “A bustenhalter.
Over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder. Knocker cups in front. Hooks in the back. You
should know. You unfastened it a minute ago.”
    How was he to know
the name of such a device? He had never seen anything like her bizarre
clothing. Feeling as awkward as a school boy, he stepped behind her, fumbled to
secure the two pieces of stretchy material. “You should not bind yourself yet
until the ribs heal.”
     “No problem.
I’m feeling much better today. Hardly any pain at all.”
     “Last
night...” His throat constricted at the memory of how she almost died.
    “What?” She turned
to face him.
    “I thought you
were going to die.”
    She smiled. “Not a
chance of that happening, at least not with your hovering and mothering. All
that was missing was the chicken soup.” She hesitated. “You know, I really
should thank you for staying. You could have left, but didn’t. You stayed to
protect me, even after I punched you. Why would you do that for me ? I’m
a stranger.”
    The tone of her
voice caught him off guard.  Had no one had ever extended any kindness to
her?  “I would care for anyone in your situation, a stranger or
otherwise.”
    “Why?”
    He almost told her
he was a physician but stopped short. That wasn’t the sole reason he’d stayed.
But by revealing his identity, she would want to know more. Such an error might
cost his life.
    Not wanting to
engage in small talk, he lifted her into his arms once she finished dressing.
After carrying her to Dinishwo, he set her feet on the ground. Snaking one arm
around her midsection, he steadied her. “It will not be easy to get you on the
horse,” he warned. “I am going to help you into the saddle, but I will not lie.
It is going to hurt your knee and ribs when I lift. Don’t scream. Dinishwo has
become unpredictable in his age and might become startled and buck you off.”
    Antonio reached
down and scooped up the brown and black dog and tucked him into a deep side
pocket on the saddle bag. “Put one hand on the pommel, and then lift your left
foot into the stirrup. I will hold you upright so you will not fall. Then I
will lift your injured leg over his back.
    She inclined her
cheek toward him. “I have a confession to make. I’m going to hurl.”
    “Hurl?”
    “Barf. Blow
chunks. Spew.”
    “Spew?”
     “ Puke!”
    “You are not going
to regurgitate.”
    “Oh yes I am.”
    “Do not fear. I
will not let you fall.”
    She clenched her
eyes shut. “I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do this,” she chanted over
and over.
    “Open your