“Plotted?” she burst out. “I told ye what happened. I saw her sneak out of her room. I had no clue that she planned to leave the Keep. I followed her to keep an eye on her, and it was only when I saw them mounting horses in the courtyard that I understood that they planned to go.”
“And ye didnae think to fetch me?”
“Ye werenae nearby. I would have lost them. I would have warned ye, aye, but then I would have had nay idea where they’d gone or why. Daenae ye think that would have been a worse situation than this?”
A muscle jumped in Ryder’s jaw.
“Have a care, lass. I’m more than fed up with yer cheek.”
“Mecheek? I protected Alaina. Besides, did ye nae hear what Hamish said? That kidnap attempt washim! All of this fear and panic and the danger all along was a wee lad smitten with yer sister!”
She almost wanted to laugh. No wonder Alaina had raged so much about her restricted freedom and the guards on the door, when she knew all along that the culprit was her would-be sweetheart.
Ryder, however, did not chuckle or smile, or even relax a little.
“There’s more here than that,” he muttered, half to himself. “There’s still danger.”
“There’s always danger. But since the imminent danger of Alaina bein’ swept up and carried away is gone, I’ll be taking me leave. There’s nay need for me to be here now.”
The words echoed in Megan’s mind.Nay need for me to be here now.This was what she’d wanted, after all. Shewantedtoleave. This wasn’t her home, and this wasn’t her real life. Alaina and Sophie were sweet, but the longer she stayed with them, the more attached she would get.
And then there was Ryder. Something inside her shivered when she thought properly of him, and that couldnotbe good for her.
Ryder stared at her. The firelight silhouetted him, and with little other light in the room, it made his expression difficult to read.
“Leave? I think nae. Our bargain is nae over.”
“Oh, nay? Well, the danger is gone, and so…”
He took a step toward her, folding his arms. His muscles strained against the fabric of his linen shirt, no matter how hard Megan tried not to notice it.
“I’m the one who decides when the danger is past,” he said softly. “And I’m the one who decides if ye leave or if ye stay.”
Megan clenched her jaw, lifting her chin. To prove that she wasn’t afraid of him, not in the slightest, she took a pointed step toward him, close enough that she could feel the warmth coming off him. It sent a shiver through her, more powerful than the last. The ache was back, forming a firm ball in her gut. It plunged lower, making her squirm.
“If ye are goin’ to threaten me with another punishment for nae obeyin’ ye,” Megan managed, her voice hitching just a little, “ye had better save yer breath. I am nae afraid of ye.”
“Afraid? That is nae the word I would have chosen. I daenae believe ye are afraid of much, lassie.”
She allowed herself a brief smile at the praise. And itwaspraise, coming from Ryder.
“Daenae forget our arrangement,” she murmured after a moment. “Ye are nae to touch me again.”
His eyes darkened, and he took a step toward her. Megan stepped sideways, a tingling sensation thrilling through her. She hadn’t chosen to move toward the door, but rather, toward the bed. Was that a mistake? Probably.
“Hold still, woman,” Ryder growled. “We are nae finished discussin’ this. Our deal is nae over yet.”
She laughed at him. He dived forward, grabbing her shoulders and bringing her nose inches away from his.
“I’d be very careful if I were ye, lassie,” he murmured. “Ye are pushin’ yer luck with me.”
She yanked her shoulders out of his grip, but the movement caught her off balance. She tumbled backward, landing on thebed. Before she could recover, Ryder leaned forward, resting his hands on either side of her hips.
“Ye never learn, do ye?” he breathed. “I am in charge here, lass.”
“Nobody isin chargeof me,” Megan snapped, although there just wasn’t enough venom in her voice.
Abruptly, Ryder leaned back, untying his belt and whipping it free. Megan narrowed her eyes at him.
