At first, he dinna react, but then, as he often did whenever she spoke carelessly in his presence, he bellowed with laughter. “Sounds like a serious question. Is it?”
She folded her hands in front of her to stop the fidgeting. How could she have been so stupid? “Twas sarcasm, Captain, nothing more.”
He rubbed his stubbled chin. “If the inclination to share my bed ever causes you frustration, know you have an open invitation, Miran. Always.”
She’d never give him the satisfaction of surrendering to the growing attraction she felt for him. Would never admit it. Though, ye’d have to be a blind fool not to see it. Cadha had taken notice. And so had Helen and Jamie. Who else? All of Kai’s men? She gazed in the direction of the fire. “And how will we get to the farm?”
“Horseback, of course.”
“Is my mare saddled?”
“No,” Kai answered. “You will ride with me.”
“Excuse me?” Had she misheard him? She’d rather walk through hot coals than share a saddle with him. Maybe even be deprived of air or her freedom than give him an opportunity to hold her close to his sculpted body and grind his manhood into her lower back. Aye, she might be a virgin, but she knew very well why men liked to share a horse with lasses. She’d witnessed it before.
“Did I not speak clearly enough? Colin informed me the space in his cousin’s stables is limited, so we shall only take one horse. And I cannot risk leaving one of our mounts outside overnight. It could get stolen. Colin will ride back to camp after the meal is over.”
Feeling the pang of defeat on the inside, she managed not to let it show on her face. “It seems I have no choice in the matter. Unless, of course, I refuse to go at all.”
He cast her a challenging look. “You would show such contempt for Colin? Shame him in front of his kinsman? He took the time to ride ahead and make arrangements for your comfort. His cousin’s wife sent word she is looking forward to having such a fine lady in her house.”
Damn his foresight and self-righteous manner. Kai never failed to win. And it infuriated her to no end. “I would never intentionally insult anyone.”
Kai chuckled. “Except for me.”
She narrowed her gaze, remembering how many times they’d argued, how many times she’d disrespected him in front of others. For that she was truly sorry. “All right.” She was resolved to go.
“Good then,” he said, offering her his arm.
She accepted, resting her hand on his forearm.
“Colin is waiting for us over there.” He pointed beyond the firepit.
She walked with him in silence until they reached the horses. And just as he said, Colin was waiting for them.
“Good evening, milady,” the young soldier greeted her, bowing his head.
“Colin,” she said as Kai easily climbed atop his horse, then as if she weighed nothing at all, pulled her up in front of him.
She tried to get comfortable, her long legs dangling over the left side of the horse, her body as far away from Kai’s as she could get.
“Miran,” he whispered. “We cannot ride like this, it will throw Gregor’s balance off.”
“Is he not yer warhorse?” The great beast was trained for combat. It would make no difference how she sat in the saddle. Kai only wished to force her to sit close to him.
“Aye.”
She twisted about to look him in the eyes. “I have seen ye ride many times while practicing in the field. Ye have nearly ridden upside down in the saddle, and Gregor never misstepped, or as ye say, lost his balance.”
Kai gave her an innocent look as he urged Gregor forward, following Colin. But then something came over him and his peaceful expression changed. He trailed his mouth along the line of her shoulder. And though she was wearing a fur cloak, she swore she could feel the searing heat from his lips on her skin. In fact, she jerked from the intensity of the contact between them.
“What if I simply admitted I want to touch you, Miran?” He dinna wait for her reply, and his arm snaked around her waist, holding her in place, as solid and heavy as the guilt she felt for pretending not to like it, not to like him.
“I dinna give ye permission to do this.”
“Would you have me take a chance and let you fall from my horse while we ride to the farm?”
She reluctantly shook her head.
