"Ye and I have a deal," Killian said so low that Leah found herself gravitating closer to him.
"Aye, I ken," she answered breathlessly as her eyes continued to drift to Killian's bowed lips. "I havenae forgotten."
"Then ye'll understand why I want ye to remain unattainable."
"Ye want me to be a hermit? Ye cannae expect me to be here for two months and nae meet people."
"Ye can meet the clan, but I'll nae have any of them touchin' ye, is that clear?" Killian barked; his order rattled Leah to her core. She folded her arms across her chest and stepped back.
"I'll nae be bullied by the likes of ye," she said. "I ken I gave me word that I'll pose as yer beloved, but right now, no one kens about what we are, or arenae at the moment…" Leah said as she tried to keep the story straight in her head. But Killian's musky scent that mingled with the pine was causing her head to grow foggy.
"Ye're mine," Killian growled. "I'll nae share ye with anyone."
"Killian —" Leah started to protest, but before she could get another word out, Killian's hands molded to her face and drew his lips to hers.
Leah stumbled back, expecting to fall into the void behind her. Instead, Killian's hand slipped from her face to her waist andcaught her at the small of her back. Leah's heart fluttered wildly as her body melted in Killian's embrace. His mouth was softer than any flower pedal and far gentler than a baby's giggle.
The world faded. Even the happy chirps of the birds overhead were but a distant melody playing somewhere in the world. Leah drew her hands to Killian's chest. His frantically beating heart throbbed against the palm of her hand. And as much as she wanted to savor the moment, she wasn't going to let Killian distract her.
"That wasnae fair," she whispered as she tried to regain her senses. The world was a fusion of colors and tingling. It felt as if she could float into the sky and drift into the furthest reaches of the heavens.
"I'll nae apologize."
"I wouldnae want ye to," Leah answered as she slowly blinked the world into view. Swallowing hard, she stepped back, wishing she didn't have to let him go. But what choice did she have?
The separation was earth-shattering. Leah blinked as if she'd been under some spell. Her gaze shifted to Killian. He towered before her like the highland warrior he was with his broad shoulders and seductive, smoldering eyes. His kiss lingered and burned her lips, yet she secretly desired more. How could a man so brutish be so tender? It was a conundrum Leah wished to explore deeper.
"Ye're to remember our deal," Killian hissed as his eyes shifted from her to some distant point beyond the tree line.
"And ye should have a bit more faith in people," Leah said, drawing Killian's attention back to her. "Nae everyone is yer enemy, Killian. There may be a few bad apples in the bunch, but it doesnae mean that they all are."
"I'd rather dump the basket and be rid of them all," Killian said.
"And now I see why they call ye mad," Leah clapped back, shocking Killian. He arched his eyebrow and stared at her as if he couldn't figure out if he was impressed by her courage to stand up to him or if he was allowing her to second-guess her response.
"Ye've been warned." His voice was rough and grave.
"Tis nae like I could stop ye from doin' anythin' ye wanted to do," Leah said as her thoughts jumped right back to Killian's body pressed against hers. Oh, how easy it would have been for him to take her right then and there. The thought caused her body to shiver. Leah found herself grateful for the wind as it suddenly kicked up around them.
"And now ye see why I'll nae have anyone touchin' ye," Killian said. "Ye cannae trust anyone."
"Even ye?" The words slipped from Leah's lips before she could reel them back in. Killian's response startled her. Instead ofire, he stepped closer, filling the space between them with his presence. There wasn't an inch that Leah couldn't see or feel Killian.
"Especially me," he answered as Leah's breath hitched. The world came to a crashing halt as Killian's hand scooped around her head. She stared at him as the anticipation of tasting the honey from his lips once more flooded her.
"Killian…"
"Ye're mine, wee healer, and I'll thank ye kindly to refrain from thinkin' ye can have other admirers."
"Only for two months," Leah whispered as she reached to the tips of her toes, inching to kiss him once again.
"I'll nae remind ye again." Killian's lips brushed against hers as he spoke. The yearning was drowning Leah. She watched as the corner of his lip twitched and, in a flash, his hand was gone. The warmth from his touch lingered on her skin, making it even more apparent that he had separated from her.
"Yer word, healer."
Leah's head swam as she tried everything in her power to remain focused. Killian was asking her something. What it was, she didn't know. But it was Killian, and the longing to gain his favor was growing.
"Aye," she answered after a few drowsy moments.
