Page 90 of The Champion

He turned his gaze to Rowena who was watching him closely. “Are you all right?”

“Aye.” He offered her a small smile as he let his hand fall away from her hair. “I wasn’t expecting to face Damien in this contest.”

Val shoved at Swan. “I told you we should have warned him.”

“Nay, you did not!” Swan snapped back.

“I appreciate your looking out for my best interest,” Stryder said to his men. “But in the future, I would appreciate a little warning on such matters.”

They all looked about, guiltily.

“But no harm was done. Let us think no more about it.”

Swan and Val nodded and left the tent while Rowena set about stitching his side.

Grimacing at the pain, Stryder watched her delicate stitches. She took great care not to hurt him anymore than was necessary.

“You’re very good at that for a lady who hates war.”

“Men are wounded for other reasons,” she said quietly. “‘Tis a talent my mother said all women should possess.”

Zenobia clapped, then rubbed her hands together. “I think Rowena is able to care for Stryder. What say the rest of us and seek out our killer?”

Kit and Nassir nodded. Christian balked. “I think it a bad idea to leave them alone.”

Nassir snorted at that, then grabbed Christian’s arm and hauled him for the entrance. “Stryder is a man full grown, Abbot. The last thing he needs is to be hounded by us.”

“But-“

”Come.” Nassir pulled him from the tent.

Zenobia gave them a knowing glance. “Rest easy, Stryder. I shall make sure that the two of you are not disturbed.”

Zenobia closed and secured the front of the tent.

“Not disturbed from what?” Rowena moved away from stitching him.

“From this…” Stryder pulled her close so that he could finally taste the honey of her lips.

Twelve

Rowena moaned at the strength of Stryder’s kiss. And to think she had actually feared for him this day. But there was far too much power in that kiss for him to be seriously injured.

Nay, her knight was fine.

He pulled her onto his cot, over his chest to cradle her gently in his arms.

She broke their kiss off instantly. “Careful, milord, you’ll hurt yourself.”

“I care not.” He pulled her lips back to his so that he could ravage her senses.

Her heart leapt at his words and at the feel of his tongue sweeping against hers. The warm manly scent of him filled her head as she swept her hands over his steely biceps that flexed and beckoned her with power.

What was it about this man that made her feel like this? It made her shivery, hot and needful. Ever longing to be close to him when she knew deep in her heart that he posed the biggest danger to everything she wanted out of life.

She ran her hand over the muscles of his chest, feeling the way his flesh rippled and flexed under her palm.

Stryder took her hand into his and led it down the length of his body until she touched his rigid shaft.