Taken By Storm Part 43

brother, and you. This will never work. We need another plan.""There is no other plan," Burke warned.Storm walked up to him and jabbed him in the chest. "You're a stubborn American.""And you're not a stubborn Scot?" he said and grabbed her finger, spun her around, his arms closing around her middle, and leaned his face over her shoulder to press his cheek to hers.

She struggled for a moment, then leaned back against him, resting her hands on his arms wrapped around

her. "It serves no purpose to battle each other."

"Then surrender and the problem is solved," he advised with a kiss to her cheek.

"I cannot. This plan is doomed to fail."

"We will plan it together so that there is no room for failure," he offered.

"It will not work, Burke," she said, wis.h.i.+ng she was wrong, yet knowing she was right.

"It will. We will make it work."

He truly believed in the plan's success and she hated to discourage him, but how did she make him see

the truth?

Then an idea occurred to her. "I think Lady Alaina could again prove helpful," Storm said, drifting out of his arms to turn and face him. She would know or could learn of her father's intentions. She would be

able to convince Burke of the folly of his plan. Then Storm herself would need to convince him that theonly way out of Weighton for his brother was for her to go in."I don't think her father would discuss his plans with her.""Probably not, but I believe Lady Alaina would have a way of finding out. She has known of Cullen's whereabouts each time he was moved."

Burke seemed hesitant.

"If we are to make this plan work, we need to make certain we consider all the variables and be

prepared, or else we are guaranteeing our failure."

"There you go making sense again," he teasingly accused.

"I try," she said and drifted back into his arms. He welcomed her as he always did, his arms going

around her, protecting, comforting, loving her.

"Can we get a message to her?" Burke asked.

"I'll see that one is sent right away. We'll let her know of her father's plan and ask that she keep us

apprised of any changes.""Tell her also that we'll let her know when to be ready."Storm nestled in the crook of his arm to glance up at him. "Ready?""She's going with us to America."There was no point in addressing this subject again. Burke had his opinion on the matter and she had hers and they would never agree. She would let him believe what he wished to believe. It would make the next couple of weeks easier. Then he would be gone and it would be done. She would never see him again.

The pain in her heart nearly brought her to her knees and she cursed herself for falling in love with Burke.

But it was done and she could do nothing about it but bid him farewell.

"No disagreement?' he asked with a smile. "Do I dare hope we've made progress?"

"We have much to plan. We can't waste time on a trivial matter.""Trivial?" His smile faded and he dropped his arms from around her. "My love for you is not trivial. Mywanting us to wed and have a life together in America is not trivial. My-"

His sudden pause had her eyes turning wide. He looked about to say something and she had a feeling that, whatever it was, she wasn't going to like it.

"You're coming to America with me and that's the end of it."

She broke into a smile, and she gave a little cough to clear her giggles before she spoke. "You are amusing."

He crossed his arms over his chest. "Feel amused if you like but you are going with me."Storm turned blazing blue eyes on him. "I don't take orders-"Burke marched right up to her. "You're going with me and that's that."Storm took a step away from him. "We'll discuss this at another time." She turned and walked away."Put it off all you like, Storm," Burke called out. "It doesn't change the fact that you're going with me to America."

They packed up and were soon on their way home. Storm didn't want to waste a minute of their

precious time. Philip remained behind as a contact for Lady Alaina. He would bring them news when it became available and he would inform her of when to be ready to join Cullen.

They would have little time once they returned to camp. It would take three days to get to Weighton, and

with only two weeks left, that didn't give them much time to plan and execute a solid rescue.Time was running out fast for everyone, and Storm wasn't sure if success was possible. That didn't, however, prevent her from trying. The journey home was spent wisely. She formulated a plan in her

head, making changes, perfecting it, and praying it would succeed.

She kept Burke out of her head as much as possible-not that he didn't force his way in. She was reminded of his intentions every time she caught sight of his determination. It was etched in every line and curve of his rugged face and in the glint of his dark eyes.

Of course, when her glance happened to stray to his lips, that was an altogether different thought. She would lick her own lips and be reminded of his taste, so pungent and powerful. His kisses never failed to awaken her pa.s.sion. Even the mere thought of them could heat her desire, and it took much willpower to refocus her thoughts.

"Lick your lips one more time," Burke warned from alongside her, "and you'll find yourself being dragged off into the bushes for a rousing bout of lovemaking."

"Promises, promises," she teased.

"Don't challenge me, Storm," he cautioned, his dark eyes stirring with repressed pa.s.sion.Her own urges stirred like molten heat, and for a moment she was tempted to take his challenge. Howmuch time was really left to them? Shouldn't she make the most of the time left to her? Shouldn't shetaste his love as many times as possible before he bid her good-bye?

His love. Wasn't that what she would miss? His love, being loved, having someone to love?"I won't," she said sadly and walked ahead of him.He caught up with her and kept pace alongside her. "But you want to.""I won't deny that I do. It's just not the time or place.""Making love requires no specific time or place."She smiled softly, recalling the many times they had made love, and that none had been planned or expected. They made love simply because they felt the need and the desire to mate.

"You agree," he said with his own smile.

"How can I not?" she asked, her smile spreading. "You have left me with wonderful memories."

Burke reached for her hand and took firm hold. "We have many more memories to make together."

She wished that were so. She wished things were different and that she could love this man freely,

without any complications. Unfortunately, that wasn't so, and she could not continue to think on such a dream. She had to let go.

Malcolm suddenly joined them and signaled Storm that someone approached.

Everyone dispersed in directions away from the approaching footfalls. Burke naturally went with her, since he rarely left her side whenever they were on a mission. It was as if he had proclaimed himself her chief protector.

No one seemed to mind, but then her men knew that if their leader had not wanted the American near

her, she would have seen to it.

She and Burke took cover behind the trunk of a giant spruce. It was wide enough to s.h.i.+eld them both, and the bushes that grew around it offered further concealment.

Malcolm and Angus had hurriedly climbed two big spruces and perched on branches in order to see who

trailed them.

Both men signaled Storm that they had yet to determine who approached, so silence reigned, as did patience.

Malcolm was the first to signal that all was well, and soon they all gathered around once again.

"It's Philip," Malcolm said.

"He has Lady Alaina with him," Angus added.

Gooseflesh rushed over Storm. Something had to have happened for her to come this distance with

Philip. And it couldn't be good.

It took only a few moments for Philip and Lady Alaina to finally appear. She seemed a bit out of breath,

and Philip was quick to help her sit on a fallen log, while Malcolm graciously offered her water from the pouch he carried.

Lady Alaina accepted it gratefully and took a few minutes to collect herself.

"Lady Alaina has learned vital information concerning Burke's agreement," Philip offered as an

explanation.

"So soon?" Burke asked, surprised.

Lady Alaina nodded, then took another swallow of water.

"Tell us, Philip," Storm said.