WIP Continued

The cold wood floor creaked beneath Katherine's bare feet as she stepped into her bedroom. Since dawn rapidly approached, she decided against the warm
comfort of her bed, and instead, slipped her bare toes into a pair of thick wool knitted socks. A good strong cup of coffee to help sooth her disturbed mind.
Katherine hugged the thick, cotton robe tight as a shudder surged through her body, more from memories than cold. Her chestnut hair reflected red highlights
from the glowing candlelight. Making her way along the narrow hallway, her large eyes saddened, expressing an unveiled concern. Even though the nightmares
were never discussed, Katherine knew what her mother's dreams revealed. It had been a nightmare for her, too. Frowning, she hesitated, and then tiptoed
silently past the door of the British officer's bedroom. When were they going to leave?
Katherine entered the cooking area quite as a mouse, grabbed the poker, and stirred the ashes in the hearth. Within seconds, the flames ignited before she
tossed in a couple of extra logs. The sparks licked and nibbled at the firewood until it came to life, accentuating her creamy skin-tone. She hung the pot on the
hook over the fire, added the coffee grounds, and then poured water from the pitcher into the old pot. The heat from the fire felt good. Folding her arms
against her chest, she felt its warmth sink through her thick gown to her bare skin beneath the material. With a deep sigh, she lingered closer to the large
opened hearth.
Orange flames gnawed away at the wood, spreading heat throughout the kitchen. Visions of her father materialized as her mind drifted back, she missed him.
Now, her pa was gone, James had to hide out for who knows how long, and Paul - if it wasn't for him would they have survived.
The boiling black liquid brought Katherine back to reality. The strong aroma drifted to her noise. Hmm, this should wake her up. She hurried, poured a cup,
and hung the container back on the hook before the pad absorbed too much heat.
Katherine sipped the much-needed drink, aware of its hot steamy liquid gliding down her throat. Again, she stared into the fireside and slipped into a trance.
The flames licked away at the logs splashing the walls with dreamlike silhouettes. . . . Turning, she caught her breath when the tall dark figure stepped into the
kitchen.
She stared, following his dark sultry eyes trail over her rumpled hair, down her nightshirt to her heavy wool socked feet. He made her feel naked. Her heart
flipped shooting a poignant stir deep within the pit of her abdomen.
"Captain. You do have a quiet way about you."
"My apology, I didn't mean to slip in on you."
Katherine turned from him, and asked, "Would you care for a cup of coffee?"
"Please, it smells good."
Katherine heard him step near - close enough to hear her heart pound. She poured his drink, and then turned slightly toward him keeping her focus on his hand
as he reached for the cup. Absorbed in the new sensations churning inside, she lifted her head. His intense gaze, shadowed by the firelight, pulled at her body.
Her muscles tightened.
Jeremy stepped back. His movement broke the trance she had tripped into, yet, all control of her own body hovered on the edge of complete collapse.
Unable to remove her eyes, her study followed him as he squatted in front of the hearth and stared into the flames.
The loud crackle of the firewood echoed through the silence. He appeared sad as she explored his handsome face. His thick dark hair, pulled in a leather tie,
hung down his back. A picture she would not soon forget. Heaven help her, she could not deny the attraction she had, even though he represented the enemy.
Suddenly he stood to his full height, took a long slow drink, and then handed her the empty cup. Before she could say anything, his hand rested against her
shoulder, and ever so gently, fingers ran down a strain of her hair. Katherine froze. Mesmerized, she tingled from his touch. Her body swayed. Lost in the
pools of his seductive draw, she looked up, but her vision could go no further than his lips.
A tiny small voice deep within her soul warned her, but she had no control. The foreign passion sent a thrill through her body contradicting the alarm signals
striking somewhere in her brain.
His gentle hands covered her shoulders, and without much effort, pulled her to him until the space between them closed. The warmth of his lips gave way to
desire, shaking her to the very core. Her lips melted into his, sweeping her into an ebb tide of no return.
Katherine's eyes flew open when he pushed her arms length away. He dropped his hands and stepped toward the hearth.
"That should not have happened." His low voice, barely audible left her speechless.