Her color deepened and she looked away. “Not at all. But I’m sure you’re ready to be rid of my weight.”
She made several attempts to unwrap the plaid, but he’d tucked her in too well. “Let me,” he laughed. “I fear I’ve cocooned ye, like a butterfly.” He worked the tartan free of the tucks and folds, regretting every movement. “There. Ye’re free.”
Both were silent for a moment. Neither, moving. Finally, she eased away from his chest. “You were right about your plaid. I was deliciously warm, all night. Thank you.”
He looked at her for several seconds. “ ’Twas my pleasure.”
The blush came again, before she looked away and broke the spell.
“How is yer ankle this morning?”
“I’m not sure. I was just going to try getting up.” She slid off his lap, rather awkwardly, before he could react. “The pain is gone. Your cold wraps seem to have worked wonders.”
He wished her back, already.
“Stay there! Dinnae try standing alone.” He scrambled to his feet. “Let me help ye.” He leaned down and gently slipped one arm around her back and the other under her knees. “Put yer arms around my neck.”
With surprising ease, he stood, clutching her to his chest. “I’m going tae let ye down easy, so hold on, and take care no’ tae put too much weight on yer ankle, at once.”
He released her legs, putting his free arm around her waist to slowly allow her to slide down his torso, watching her face for any sign of discomfort.
For once, he couldnae read her thoughts. “Are ye in pain, lass?”
“Yes,” she whispered, her gaze locked with his. “But not in my ankle.”
Had he hurt her? Held her too tight? “Where, then?”
“Here,” she whispered, touching her lower lip. “Can you fix it?”
Heat curled inside him. “I can try.”
His first touch was gentle, as if there truly was an injury. But ’twas no’ enough. As her arms tightened around him, he took her mouth like a drunkard with his final drink. Everything disappeared but the need to hold her closer. Kiss her deeper. He’d lose her today, and for the first time since Culloden, he felt fear.
He couldnae let her go. And he couldnae ask her to stay.
When they parted, there were no words. She rested her forehead on his chest and he held her, breathed her in.
“We have to go,” she said finally, easing away from him. “My family will be frantic.”
“Aye.” He released her. ’Twas time he let go of fantasies, as well. “Here,” he held out his hand. “Hold ontae me while ye test yer ankle.”
“Thank you.” When she glanced up at him, the sorrow in her eyes confirmed their unspoken understanding that whatever had passed between them, was over.
Even though he kenned ’twas no use lamenting the loss, it had already settled, deep inside him.
Lauren took a tentative step, then another, her smile growing with each movement. “Your ice packs did wonders. It’s hardly sore, at all.” She let go of his hand, took a few more steps, then turned and beamed her delight. “Almost like new.”
“But I ken from what ye said last night, yer car is some distance away. Can ye walk that far?”
That same stubborn jut of her chin she’d had when he first met her, was back. “Don’t worry about me. I can do it.”
Dinnae worry? His snort was louder than he’d intended, drawing a castigating look from Lauren.
She folded her arms. “Apparently, I’m going to have to prove it?”
He held up his hands. “Dinnae fash. I can always—”
“If you say, ‘carry me’ and ask how much I weigh, again, I swear I’ll box your ears!”
