page6 (2/2)

If she had not been so upset, she probably would have coan descending as she always did—she juile leap beca on the sandy surface, and she fell headlong on to hi his ribs and his chin cracking her forehead

‘Damnation!’

‘Yina’al abuk!’ Her own curse was le herself, but the skirts of her cotton robe were snagged under his leg and all she couldin a tangle over her face She shoved it away and glared at him and the annoyance and surprise on his face transforrin

‘I told you you would fall off one day Did it have to be on to me?’

‘I would not have fallen if you hadn’t got in my way so it is only proper that you cushionedso I can’

She gave her skirt a tug, shifting a little on to her side and nudging his leg aside with her knee She heard his breath drag in and stopped, glancing up in concern

‘Are you hurt? Edge? Oh, no, did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to Where are you hurt?’ She planted her hand by his side, raising herself as best she could to see where he ht be wounded, but his arhtened

‘Stop rowled in a voice utterly unlike any she had heard him use so she froze, worried and unsure

This was her fault In her stubbornness and pique she’d ignored his gentleht be seriously injured Perhaps she had even broken his back She had seen what happened to a worker who fell froony a day later She hardly dared breath, staring at the handso him to be unhurt

His eyes narrowed into slits of water green, his lips a little parted His breath arainst him and feel her chest pressed to his oncethe feel of his legs clah pressed against an area between her legs she’d never even thought as a source of pleasure

‘What are you wearing under that kamisa?’ His question was so unconnected she was certain she ed the words into order, she wondered if perhaps his head had sustained the injury Certainly he looked strange—his high cheekbones were hot with colour, his nostrils finely drawn