Changing of the Glads by Joy Spraycar Read Free Book Online Page B

bucket. This simple act sent shivers up her spine, and every inch of skin longed to feel his gentle touch. 
    As if sensing her thoughts, he stopped, took a step back, handed her the stone, and again his right hand reached into the pouch at his waist.
    “What is this?”
    “Soapstone.  It is not very comfortable, but it cleans well. Rub it on your skin until it forms a lather.” 
    “Lather?”
    “The bubbles and the film.”
    Zalphia nodded.  “Oh, I see.”
    Maximillion remained a few feet away, but refused to watch as she rubbed the strange stone over every inch of her.  Then she crouched in the water and rinsed off the film.  As she rose, she could tell that he was looking.  Heat burned up her chest and spread to her cheeks.  How was it that her skin reacted the moment his gaze rested on her?  She turned and held the stone out to him. 
    Stepping closer, his fingertips brushed against her palm as he whisked the soapstone from her hand.  Her skin prickled at the sensation.  What she wouldn’t give to have that hand wrap around her waist, lift her back into his arms, and hold her close.
    A lopsided grin spread to his eyes.  “Now, your hair.”
    He massaged the stone into her wet strands, gently working through the knots with his fingers until they no longer caught, then helped her rinse the bubbles away.  By this time, the cold water had numbed everything below her waist.
    Maximillion gathered her into his arms, hugging her shivering body against the warmth of his massive chest.  She nestled closer.  His breathing quickened.  And the pounding of his heart bumped against her shoulder.  Her lips curled into a smile, and she hid it against his skin.  Knowing that his body reacted to her closeness thrilled her. 
    Taking her back to the bearskins, he laid her down and gently covered her up.  “Stay in there.  The hides will pull the water away and warm you up.  I will get you something to eat, then we will get you dressed.”
    “I think I can figure out how to dress myself,” she snapped.
    His lips pressed together, forming a grim line, and shock shone in his eyes. 
    Pain pierced her, right at the breastbone for insulting this gentle giant of a man.  He hadn’t done anything to deserve her speaking so harshly, yet she inflicted a wound as surely as if she had sliced him with a blade.
    “I’m sorry.” She dipped her chin to her chest, her eyes refusing to meet his.  “You’re right. I don’t know how to put them on.”
    A stroke from his thumb across her cheek brought her gaze back to those fluid eyes.  He smiled.  And just like that, all was forgiven.
    Zalphia marveled at how quickly his mood changed.  Platy would have struck her for such an outburst, but not Max .  Hmmm .   Max.  She liked the shortened version of his name.
    “Then call me Max,” he said as he handed her one of the large hunks of meat he’d set out to cook during the night. 
    “All right, Max.”  It sounded even better spoken aloud.
    Zalphia sat up and chewed on the meat.  Then she noticed everything was gone.  All the rest of the meat, the deer hide, and anything else that gave any indication they had been there except the burned-out fire, the bearskin, and of course the knife she’d left poking out of the ground. How long had he been awake before she finally rose?
    She wolfed down the meat while the skin warmed her to the core.  When she’d finished, she stood.
    Max retrieved the garments from the log, and she stood before him.  His jaw muscles bulged in a quick rhythm as he held out the one resembling a dress. 
    “Raise your arms,” he commanded. 
    She complied, and he slipped the dress-like garment over her arms and head then pulled it down.  His hand lingered for a moment at the curve of her waist before straightening the bottom out. 
    The second garment he held in front of him and motioned for her to step into it.  She complied.  He slid the skin up her legs and over her rounded