Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
She felt the length of him, and the heat of his body penetrated her slowly and steadily, unlike the rush of heat from the fire’s flames. She rested her hand on his arm, glad that they’d made their love known to each other, glad that they would wed and eager for her husband’s touch.
Life was good, so very good, and she was grateful, and she fell asleep with happiness filling her heart.
It dawned sunny, the air less chilled. After a quick morning meal the small group was off for a day of mapping. They stopped at a section of land thick with trees. Magnus stood talking with Philip, while Reena was busy surveying the area. It was soon evident that she did not have a good view for mapping, and she turned in a slow circle to determine the best position.
After several slow turns, she tilted her head back, staring up at the tall tree not far from her. “Perfect.”
She fashioned a satchel of cloth from her shawl to carry her sketching items and draped it around her neck to rest to the side. She then proceeded to grab at the lower branch of the tree and pull herself up.
Magnus caught her antics out of the corner of his eye and turned to watch her attempt to hoist herself up on the branch. Her feet swung wildly and her small hands looked as though they could barely hold onto the thick branch. She was going nowhere and tiring herself out fast, but she persisted.
He walked over to her. “Whatever are you doing?”
After a huff and puff or two she managed to answer. “Need a better view.”
He shook his head and with ease hoisted himself up onto the branch from where she dangled.
She cricked her neck and stared up at him. He did not wear his helmet; his handsome face was fully exposed down to his sinful smile, and the morning sun shone through the branches just budding with spring leaves to kiss the warm honey-colored streaks in his brown hair.
A handsome one he was, and he belonged to her.
“You smile as you dangle from the tree.”
“I smile at the man I love.”
He leaned over, grabbed her arms, and pulled her up, steadying her as her feet found their footing on the thick branch. “You are foolishly—”
“In love,” she finished and kissed him, almost sending them both toppling off the branch, were it not for Magnus’s quick reaction.
He steadied them and then braced her to rest against the thick trunk of the tree. “Is this tree climbing necessary?”
Reena looked up at the next branch.
“Absolutely not,” Magnus said, shaking his head firmly.
“I need a better view of the surrounding area. With the trees not fully in bloom I can see far and wide and produce a more accurate map. Then you will know all approaches to your land, for one map will follow the other and you will have a clear and concise drawing of your property.”
Magnus gave thought.
Reena suddenly looked alarmed.
“What is wrong?” Magnus asked and quickly surveyed the surrounding area. Seeing nothing to warrant concern, he turned his attention to Reena.
She immediately voiced her apprehension. “I will remain your mapmaker when we wed, will I not?”
Magnus took careful steps over to her side and placed a gentle hand to her cheek. “I would never deprive you of your work. I will provide you with paper, charcoal, quill and ink for as long as you wish, and you may map until your dying day if you so choose.”
Reena sighed in relief and kissed the palm of his hand.
Her moist lips tingled his flesh and jolted his senses, his male senses. “If only we were not in a tree.”
“Are you not the Legend?” she teased. “A man of many talents and skills?”
His hand grabbed hold of her cheeks, puckering her lips. “You will learn well of my talents and skills.” He smiled. “And I will teach you some of your own.”
She spoke between puckered lips, but her response was clear. “Good, I love to learn new things.”
Magnus groaned deep and harsh and kissed her puckered lips. “Damn, Ree, but you excite me in a most unusual way.”
She eased his hand off her face. “I am glad, for I feel myself eager to be with you.”
He ran a tender finger over her lips. “I promise you that our joining will be a time you long remember.”
She kissed his finger. “I have no doubt of that.”
“Map,” he ordered, and she understood. If she did not soon tend to her work, they would be tending to something much more intimate.
Reena made fast work of the temporary map, asking him relevant questions and giving him pause to reflect on answers that would serve him well in protecting his land.
When they were ready to climb down from the tree, Magnus ordered her to remain as she was and not to move an inch. She gave her word, and he grasped the branch and easily swung himself down to the ground. He then walked with haste to his horse, mounted, and returned, stopping the large steed beneath the tree.