Sundancer (Cheyenne Series) by Shirl Henke Read Free Book Online Page B

curiosity.
           He wandered aimlessly upstream away from the women, mulling over what he would do once he had Alexa Hunt in custody. As a Scotsman and an easterner, MacKenzie had no idea how adversely his granddaughter's captivity would affect her marriage prospects if anyone learned of it. He smiled grimly. Andrew Powell would break the engagement just because the girl spent a week alone in his company, the rest of the Indians be damned!
           The soft rippling hum of cool water invited him to approach a chokecherry thicket. Perhaps a dip would clear his head. He walked soundlessly through the bushes to a fallen log. Tugging his shirt over his head, he tossed it onto the log, then sat on it and pulled off his boots. Just as he stood up and unbuckled his gunbelt, he heard a loud splash, followed by a contented feminine sigh. Cain froze, then peered through a thin spray of willow branches.
           The sight which greeted him robbed him of breath. Gleaming long hair, the color of silver and gold melded together, fanned out across the water as Alexa Hunt lazed on her back, kicking just enough to propel herself away from the swifter current. A set of small breasts peeked impudently through the translucent curtain of water, their pale pink nipples beaded with cold. In repose her face looked more mature than he would have expected. It was delicately formed yet surprisingly strong, the nose aquiline and the mouth firm and full. Her high forehead was crowned by arched silvery eyebrows and thick pale lashes fanned down covering wide-set eyes. He wondered irrelevantly what color they were.
           Lord, she’s a piece! This water nymph certainly did not resemble her grandfather! Cain knew he should not continue to spy, but he could not tear his eyes away as she raised one delicate arm and began to backstroke through the water. Her body was long and slender, elegantly formed. He judged her to be a bit above average height for a white woman. When she reached the shallows and stood up, he could see his guess was accurate...and a great deal more. His body leaped to life, setting off the old familiar throb. He'd been far too long without a woman, and this one was certainly forbidden. Jubal MacKenzie would have him flayed alive if he touched Alexa Hunt. Like all the best things in life, she was destined for another.
           Deep in thought, Cain did not realize how close she was coming to his meager hiding place until her sharp gasp echoed in the warm afternoon silence. Now she was the one to freeze in shock as clear turquoise eyes peered at him through the sheer curtain of willow leaves. Water glistened on her alabaster skin like small silvery jewels, sliding over the satiny curves of her breasts, hips and calves. He felt an insane urge to run his hands all over that pale skin, to dry it with the heat of his mouth.
           Roxanna saw the slight movement of something ahead of her, then realized that it was a man. Him! He was half naked, barefoot, no doubt to better sneak up on her. A pattern of black chest hair tapered narrowly beneath his tight woolen breeches, now bulging with the unmistakable evidence of his lust. Those black eyes were fathomless as a night sky, piercing her as if he could see through her skin right down to her bones! She should have turned and run, or at least covered herself, but some instinct made her realize that he would expect that. Instead she stared back at him defiantly.
           “I can see why Sees Much named you Her Back Is Straight,” Cain said as she reached for the buckskin tunic laying on the grass. She held it regally in front of herself, refusing to back down.
           Damn his infuriating smile! “Who are you, besides being an ill-mannered lout?” Not well advised, Roxy , she thought the moment the words burst from her mouth.
           “My name is Cain, Miss Hunt,” he replied, the grin of admiration broadening as he tipped his head