“Gretna.”
She closed the distance between them and Remy’s lips parted as she took his face in her hands. “I’m not asking for the entire night,” she said softly. “I just, if yer plan doesna work, I want tae spend time with someone I care aboot before mah life changes.”
His heart lurched in his throat and he was overcome with emotion. “Ye shouldna care aboot mah,” he told her thickly. “I’m not the one yer destined tae be with.” He couldn’t give her this fancy keep or the things she was used to in her life. As captain of the guard, he would be gone most times, leaving her home to fend for herself and their family.
“Shh,” Gretna stated her finger brushing over his lower lip. “I donna want tae talk aboot it right now. All we have is a few stolen hours. Can ye at least give mah that?”
Remy swallowed. “I have tae tell mah men.” He couldn’t very well leave them outside, wondering what had happened.
Gretna stepped back, giving him a firm nod. “Then go tell them quickly.”
Remy thought about leaving then, but as he walked back to the stables where his men were waiting, he felt the tug to go back to Gretna. He didn’t know what would happen on his journey home or if Ian would allow him to come back to get her. She was asking for a few hours. He could easily leave in the cloak of darkness now that he didn’t have to worry about her safety on the road.
So he relayed the information to his men and made certain that his horse was readied before making his way back to the keep. As he entered the great hall, he saw the laird’s son leaving his da, his eyes narrowing as he saw Remy. “I trust ye have heardthe news then?” James asked, tucking his hands behind his back. “That ye are tae depart shortly?”
Remy had to ball his fists together in order not to grab the other Scot by the tunic and shove him hard into the stone wall near them. “Aye, I am just making final preparations.”
A smug grin crossed the man’s face before shoving a folded letter against Remy’s chest. “Here is the missive that is to be delivered, lad. I expect that the seal will remain intact until it gets to Laird Wallace.”
Remy grabbed the letter and tucked it into his boot for later. “Aye, ye dinna have tae worry aboot mah reading yer drivel.” After all, he had his own tale to tell his laird.
James smirked. “Gretna will be safe in mah keep as mah intended. No harm will come tae her until her brother comes tae witness our union.” James gave Remy a once over. “Well, unless she chooses tae partake in mah bed. I’m certain I can give her more than ye ever could, Wallace.”
Remy gritted his teeth and reminded himself that he was all that stood between getting Gretna out of this situation and ensuring her brother knew. So he took a step forward, grinning as he saw the flicker of fear in the other Scot’s eyes. “Aye, she may very well choose ye tae warm her bed.” He clapped his hand on the man’s shoulder, squeezing. “But if ye do decide tae force her into anything she doesna wish tae do, be reminded that I am coming back and when I do, I will gut ye from yer chin tae yer cock.”
“Y- ye canna threaten mah!”
Remy chuckled as he stepped back, patting James’ shoulder. “I already did. Now if ye will excuse mah, I need tae make mah goodbyes before I depart.” Without waiting for another word, Remy walked upstairs, warmed by the worried look in the other Scot’s eyes. The arse might be able to talk a good game with thelasses in the keep, but Remy doubted that he would be able to hold his own in a true fight.
Gretna allowed him entrance before he could finish his knock on her chamber door, shutting it firmly behind him.
“Ye came back.”
He arched a brow. “I gave ye mah word that I would.” He was a man of his word and would always be when it came to her.
“Aye, of course,” she said quickly, looking suddenly flustered. Remy reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, allowing his touch to linger on her skin. “I dinna come back tae ravish ye, lass.” He wasn’t going to take her innocence.
Her cheeks pinkened. “I know. I dinna think ye would. I’m just, I’m nervous, tis all.”
Remy reached for Gretna, tugging her toward him until she was flat against his body. He knew she could feel his need for her pressing against her stomach and he heard her gasp as he slid his hands into her free hair, feeling the softness snag against his calluses. “I want ye every second of every day,” he murmured against her temple, breathing her scent in so that he could be reminded of it during his journey home. “I hear ye call mah name in my thoughts, feel yer hand wrapped around mah cock and it’s never enough.” His hand splayed over her hipbone, holding her in place. “Donna think for one moment that I willna come back tae ye, lass. I will always come back tae ye.” Even if it wasn’t in the manner she wanted right now. This thing between them would fade, this attraction she had for him. Remy knew that Gretna couldn't possibly have any feelings for someone like him, nor should she.
Oh, but he could dream that she did. He could pine for her, crave her, want her in his mind, his thoughts.
His very soul.
“Remy,” she breathed, her breath rushing past his cheek.
He pressed his lips to her temple and forced himself to step back before he couldn’t. “Ye should get some rest, Gretna.”
She let out a tortured breath and held out her hand. “Only if ye will lie with mah until I fall asleep.”
It would be torturous for him, but how could he deny her anything right now? They were playing a dangerous game, yet it was the only game that would give her the future she wished for.
One that didn’t involve him.
So Remy took her hand and allowed her to lead him to the bed, removing his boots while she removed her shoes. He took the space near the wall, pressing up against the hard stone and fitting her in his arms, her body against his. If he closed his eyes, he could imagine himself with her like this in their small hut after putting their bairns to bed.
“Tell mah wot ye are thinking?”
