“To do what, exactly?” His voice had gone cold. “Tell me, Piper. What do ye think I’m goin’ to do to ye?”
She didn’t answer.
“Because from where I’m sittin’, I saved yer life yesterday. Fought off a man who wanted to do terrible things to ye. Rode through the night to put distance between ye and that hellish place. And all I’ve gotten for it is yer suspicion and accusations.”
“Yefoughtfor me,” Piper shot back. “Ye claimed me as a prize. What am I supposed to think?”
“That I was playin’ a role! That I had to make it look believable or that bastard wouldnae have backed down!” Elijah’s voice rose, then he visibly controlled himself. “Christ, lass. Ye think Iwantedto talk about ye like ye were property? Made me sick to me stomach.”
“Then why did ye do it?”
“Because the alternative was lettin’ ye get taken by someone who really did think of ye that way!”
They fell into tense silence. Piper’s heart was racing, her hands clenched into fists. She wanted to believe him. God, she wanted to believe him so badly it hurt.
But she’d learned the hard way that wanting something didn’t make it true.
“How do I ken ye’re any different from them?” she asked quietly.
“Ye daenae. Nae yet.”
At least he was honest. That was something.
Elijah could feelevery inch of Piper pressed against him, and it was driving him mad.
She was soft. Warm. Her curves fit against his body in ways that made his blood heat and his mind wander to places it had no business going. Every time the horse took a step, she shifted slightly, and he became acutely aware of her arse pressed against his thighs, her back against his chest.
Stop it. She’s terrified, and ye’re thinkin’ about how good she feels.
He tried to focus on the landscape. On the journey ahead. On anything except the woman in his arms and the way his body was responding to her proximity.
It had been years since he’d held a woman like this. Years since he’d felt anything remotely like desire. After Catherine died, he’d shut that part of himself down completely. Told himself it was safer that way. Easier.
But Piper made him feel things he’d thought were dead and buried.
She’s nae for ye. She’s under yer protection, nae yer?—
The horse suddenly shied, spooked by something in the grass. Elijah felt it happen—felt the animal’s muscles bunch, felt it start to rear—and his arm was already moving before his mind caught up.
He wrapped it tightly around Piper’s waist and hauled her back against his chest as the horse’s front legs left the ground. She gasped, her hands flying to his arm and gripping hard enough that he felt her nails through his shirt.
“Easy,” Elijah growled at the horse, his other hand firm on the reins. “Easy, ye daft beast.”
The horse came down hard, all four hooves hitting the ground with jarring force. Piper slid backward despite his hold, and Elijah tightened his grip instinctively, pulling her even closer.
Too close.
He could feel every curve of her body now, could feel her trembling, could smell the faint sweetness of her hair. His body reacted immediately, and he cursed himself for it.
Nae now. For God’s sake, nae now.
“Are ye all right?” he asked, his voice rougher than intended.
Piper didn’t answer. She was still gripping his arm, her breathing rapid and shallow.
“Piper. Are ye hurt?”
“Why do ye care?” The words came out flat. Dead. “I’m just to be yer slave after all.”
