"So ye brought all this to the room so that ye wouldnae be bothered by me belly?"
"Aye," Killian said. "It's been grumblin' since we left the square. I couldnae imagine what it'll be like in such a small room."
"Right," Leah said as she straightened in her chair. "About that. I think we should discuss sleepin' arrangements."
"Is that so? Well," Killian said as he wiped his fingers over the corners of his mouth and leaned back. "Let's see here. Seein' as how I found and funded the roof over our heads tonight, then I say I get the bed, and ye can have the hearth."
"Now that's nae fair. I should at least have a pillow and a blanket."
"Ye want the floor?" Killian asked as shock rippled across his features.
"What's wrong with the ground? Just because they've made such things to stay off the cold and dirty ground doesnae mean I need to use one," Leah said as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Fine, then ye can have the ground."
"Only if I can have the pillow," she said as her heart fluttered wildly the moment her gaze met his.
"That's drawin' the line. I daenae think I can give ye one. Ye see, the linens are very nice and I wouldnae want to ruin it."
"Now wait one minute here. From where I'm standin' ye owe me favors, nae the other way around. Am I nae here on yer behalf? As a guest? And as yer guest, it would only be polite for ye to offer me the bed. So, aye, I think I shall retire sooner rather than later."
"Now ye wait one second there," Killian said as Leah sprang from her seat and made a leap for the bed. She landed with her body sprawled out, taking up most of the bed.
"Daenae be stingy; there's plenty of room for the both of us," Killian said as he rushed for the bed and landed beside Leah. The mattress leaned and collapsed under Killian's added weight, causing the whole thing to drop to the floor.
"What have ye done?" Killian asked as Leah lifted her head to inspect the damage done to the bed.
"Me? This was ye thinkin' ye could sore like a bird and landin' on it the way ye did," Killian countered as an unexpected laugh boiled over. Leah's laughter filled the room as she rolled onto her side in a fit.
"This is nae funny," he grumbled as Leah found herself unable to stop laughing.
"Aye, but it is," Leah managed to say as she gulped the air. Her smile faded as she stared at Killian. The smile tugging at the corner of his lips refused to come out, but Leah could see the happiness gleaming in his eyes as he watched her with a longing that spoke to her soul.
"I daenae think the inn keeper will be to fond of what we've done to his room," Leah said as she tried to climb out of the jumbled mess only to roll back into Killian's side.
"Daenae think for a moment that I'm nae goin' to blame ye for this as soon as I can," Killian teased as he opened his arm up for her to collect her the next time she rolled into him.
"I'm sure ye will," Leah said as she found Killian's heat washing over her like a hot fairy spring.
She swallowed hard as the flickering fire illuminated his face. Every shadow that shifted only added to the majesty of his features. Leah couldn't help but want to touch him. Reaching out a steady hand, Leah molded her hand to the curves of Killian's face.
"What are ye doin'?" he asked as Leah found her lips craving to be touched by his.
"I daenae ken," she answered as she put a hand on his chest. The frantic rhythm of his heartbeat under his shirt made her smile.
Joyous sounds of laughter and lively music began to drift through the window, pulling Leah's ear. The villagers were clearly starting the fair early, their spirits buoyant with the promise of celebration. Leah's heart ached at the thought of the festivities just beyond their door. She longed to join in, to lose herself in the rhythm of the dancing and the warmth of community, but the pangs of longing held her captive at Killian's side.
Killian leaned closer, his stormy grey eyes fixed on her. "They're starting the fair early."
"Aye, so it would seem," she said as his hand drifted from her neck over her ample bosom and across her ribs. Leah's breath hitched as she waited for his next move.
"I had planned to leave in the mornin'," he mentioned casually, yet there was an underlying tension in his tone as his fingers slipped into the hair at the nap of Leah's neck. "But… if ye want, we could stay for the day."
"Do ye mean it? We could stay? Ye're nae goin' to change yer mind come mornin' now are ye?"
"Nay," he replied, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "But I'd be stayin' too."
"Why?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Ye have nay obligation to linger here with me."
