Chapter 2
Clark had tried to warn Lois about the low hanging branch, but she hadn't heard him. He heard a sickening thud as the branch connected with Lois, unseating her. He leapt off his horse and sped over to try and catch Lois before her head struck the rock—but he was unsuccessful.
She lay on the ground, her world had turned upside down. She was vaguely aware of her surroundings. She was wet and her face numb with the cold, as the rain continued to punish her with angry drops. She heard a familiar voice in the distance. He was shouting over the wind. The wind distorted his words and carried away snippets of what he was saying, but she could tell that he was deeply concerned. ". . . found her . . . she's been hurt . . . head injury." The wind continued to roar, making it hard to follow the conversation. "
"Oh Lois, What have you gotten yourself into this time?" Came the familiar voice, but there was no remonstration in his tone, only tender concern. Just then she felt something on her face—warm, and familiar. Gingerly, he brushed the hair from her face to assess her injuries, when she felt sudden and intense pain, as he inadvertently found the lump on her head.
Her eyelids fluttered open as she gathered all the strength she could manage to focus on this man with the comforting voice. Her eyes locked with his brilliant eyes, framed by sooty lashes. Then she slowly made a full assessment of him as she tried desperately to recall his name. He had a chiseled jaw, thick, full lips and a mane of jet-black hair. He was dressed in tall leather boots and riding clothes, with a large cloak slung over his broad back.
Cloak. . . She suddenly realized that she no longer had her cloak about her. It was a thin garment, offering little protection from the wind and rain, but without it she felt very exposed. She caught a glimpse of her disheveled state. Her silk over dress was torn and caked in mud. Her wet chemise clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. It was as she noticed that she was missing one of her slippers, that she saw the nasty gash in her leg, exposing her shin bone.
"W-w-w--" She tried to speak, but managed only to grunt out a painful croak.
"Shhhh. Lois, rest now. I've got you."
Head pounding, teeth rattling, her world once again pitched and roiled as he hefted her gently. Warmth suffused her entire body, as she made contact with his solid frame. She hadn't realized how cold she was until now. He wrapped his heavy cloak around her shivering body and drew her closer still to his warmth, shielding her from the elements, cradling her face tenderly in an attempt to stop her teeth from chattering.
She settled comfortably against his strong chest, listening to the steady hammer of his heart. She couldn't hear his whispered words of comfort over the wind rushing past them, but she could feel the words as they rumbled deep in his chest, making her feel safe, protected.
At the same time, she felt familiar stirrings of desire building deep in her core. How preposterous that she should feel this for someone who may be a complete stranger to her. But his warmth, closeness and wonderful musky scent--a mixture of leather, sandalwood and the faintest hint of fresh hay on a summer day--were overpowering what was left of her ragged senses. She fought drowsiness. She wanted to continue to feel these sensations, but the steady tattoo of his heart, along with the rhythmic gallop of the horse beneath them, quickly rocked her to sleep, nestled there in his strong, protective embrace.
