“I need to rest, my lord. I am not accustomed to so much time in asaddle.”
“Are you not? Your father keeps you locked away in the castle, doeshe?”
“He does no such thing. I have no reason to ride for longer than a couple of hours at a time as the villages I visit are allnearby.”
“You’ve never ridden for longer than two hours? Have you never travelled farther?” He was surprised to hear it. Even his own sisters had travelled toInverness.
“Until now, the farthest I’ve travelled is to themountains.”
There was sadness in her tone he didn’t understand. Did she wish to travel and her father would not let her? He slowed their pace and stopped near a stream. Malcolm dismounted and reached for her. Holding her by the waist, he pulled her off the horse, but did not let go when she was on her feet. Her arms rested on his shoulders and she stared up at him with wide eyes. God’s teeth, but she waslovely.
Her brown hair flamed when the light hit it. He wanted to bury his face in it while he thrust hard insideher.
“Let me go, mylord.”
“Never.” He leaned down and captured her lips. She tasted of sweet berries and his restraint had reached its limit. He cupped the back of her head and kept her still while he ravaged her mouth. When her tongue meekly met his, a shiver raced up his spine. If he did not stop immediately, he wouldn’t be ableto.
Malcolm broke the kiss and leaned back. Her cheeks were crimson and her eyes wereglazed.
“You are so lovely, SheonaMacLeod.”
The moment he spoke her name he could see her withdraw. She pulled back out of his arms and turned away trailing her rope behind her. He had not tied her to anything yet and was about to follow when Keith approached. She walked slowly to a large tree and sat by thetrunk.
“I see you still torment thelass.”
Malcolm was frustrated enough to want to wipe the smirk off Keith’sface.
“I see you are trying to cause trouble, asusual.”
Keith shook his head and raised his hands. “Who me? I wouldn’t even think of it. But I must say, she is a bonnie creature.” He looked at Sheona and back to Malcolm with a grin. “Do you think she will let me courther?”
“You will go nowhere nearher!”
Keith laughed outright and placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t dream of it, my friend. As you say, I am merely causing trouble. I wondered how enchanted you were with her, and now Iknow.”
“I am notsmitten.”
“Oh aye, you are. You have that lovesick look in your eye. It’s rather pathetic, myfriend.”
“Keith, I’m warning you. I am in no mood for your jesting thisday.”
“And nor should you be. We have just struck the MacLeods with a vicious blow, and to add insult, you’ve captured the chief’s daughter.” His face held no mirth. “I would be worried if you were in the mood forjesting.”
Keith was right. They had much to do and could afford no time for dalliance. Once they returned to Knock Castle, they would prepare for the inevitable retaliation. But Malcolm also needed to set his plan intomotion.
“You are right. We waste precious timehere.”
Without waiting for a reply, Malcolm strode to Sheona and grabbed the rope. “Your rest is over, Lady Sheona. It is time togo.”
He started walking away without waiting for her to stand. Once he got so far, the rope brought up. He turned back to find her still sitting and scowling athim.
“Do not make me carry you, my lady. You will not like it.”Then again.“Or perhaps that is yourwish.”
Her eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. He grinned as she held her head high and walked past him and mounted the horse without hisassistance.
“If I had my way, my lord, I would ride this beast myself and you would walk the rest of the way so I would not have to touch you atall.”
Because it would no doubt irritate her, once in the saddle, he slid as far forward as possible so she had no choice but to feel every inch of his thighs and chest. With her bottom pressed hard against him, in no time his erection raged again. She hadn’t spoken a word. In the end he suspected he’d only succeeded in irritatinghimself.
