Jamie wondered if she had any idea howtempting she looked in the delicately embroidered gown thatMistress Macnab had provided.Though it covered her modestly; hewas well aware of the perfect body beneath the pristine covering.“Justin MacLeod assures me that the hound eats better than thequeen.”
“He has seen him?”
“Aye.I ordered him to take fresh game to theclearing near the loch.”
“When I am stronger I will take the foodmyself.And Wolf will eat from my hands.”
Jamie laughed.“You think, because he savedyour life, he will now be your pet?”
“It is not a pet I want.It is a friend whowill answer my call when I need him and sit by my side when I amlonely.”
He brushed a lock of hair from her cheek.Hishand lingered over the softness of her skin.She saw the way hiseyes darkened as he stared hungrily at her lips.
“I think what you ascribe to Wolf should bethe task of a lover, my lady.”
She knew that he was going to kiss her.Andshe knew that if he did, she would be lost in the wonder of hiskisses.She decided that it was time to test her strength.Thestrength she needed to resist all the strange new feelings thatswamped her each time Jamie looked at her like this.She pushedherself free of his arms and scrambled from the bed.
Jamie lay back among the pillows, his handsbehind his head.It was so good to see her up and about.And yet hecould not deny the slight feeling of regret.He had treasured thosehours alone with her.He loved watching her while she slept.Heloved taking care of all her needs.
She draped a shawl around her shoulders formodesty.Then she filled a basin with water.As she washed her faceand arms and lifted the square of linen to her cheeks, he felt thesudden tug of desire.He could joyfully spend the rest of his daysenjoying such mundane things as this.So long as they were sharedwith Lindsey.How he loved being with her.He loved her.He couldno longer deny that fact.And though it complicated his life, itwas that simple, he loved her.
As she brushed the tangles from her hair, shecaught sight of him in the looking glass.The frown ofconcentration made her heart contract.She was keeping him from hisduties to the queen.She must send him away.And quickly.
She turned.
“You seem exceedingly distracted this morrow,my lord.”
“Do I?”
“Aye.”She tossed down the hairbrush andstrode to the side of the bed.“Your duty awaits you belowstairs.”
“And what of my duty to you?”
“You owe me nothing, my lord.I am gratefulfor all that you have done for me.But now you must go.”
“And this is how you show your gratitude?Bythrowing me out of your chambers?”
Though he was still frowning, she could hearthe hint of teasing laughter in his tone.
“Aye, my lord.You have much more importantmatters to attend to in the queen’s company.”
His hand snaked out so quickly she had notime to react.He pulled her down on the bed and rolled until hehad her pinned beneath him.With his lips brushing hers hemurmured, “Nothing is as important as this.”
The kiss was long and deep and thorough.Jamie moved his lips over hers, thrilling to the way she respondedto his kiss.Her lips parted for his tongue and he invaded thesweetness of her mouth.How soft her lips.How wild her taste.
She gave a little moan of pleasure and heshifted slightly.His hand plunged into the tangles of her hair,and he drew back a moment to study the way she looked.Clean.Fresh.She was a breath of air in his battle-weary life.
He bent his lips again to hers and felt thetremors that she could not hide.
“Are you afraid, my lady?”he murmuredagainst her lips.
“Aye.I—should not feel this way.”
“What way?”With his finger he traced theoutline of her lips and felt them tremble beneath his touch.
“As if I were on fire.As if I had just runacross a meadow and cannot catch my breath.”
He touched a hand to her heart and could feelher thundering pulse.
