Her lips twitched.
“Cheese.”
I nodded solemnly. “Cheese is verra important.”
Gently, I tugged her closer.
“Thank ye for fixing me.”
“You are not fixed yet. You need rest. A good night’s sleep.”
Before I could tell her I didn’t trust myself in bed with her, she distracted me with another blurted question.
“Why did you ask about my dagger?”
“Because,” I murmured, my gaze sweeping over her flushed face, the wee strands of hair sticking to her temples, “I needed to ken ye could defend yerself when I did this…”
Ever so slowly, I pulled her toward me, giving her plenty of time to object if she wanted to. She didn’t, merely held my gaze trustingly, making myKteerpurr happily.
With one last tug, I settled her on my lap.
Rowena held herself stiffly as I wrapped my arm around her back, holding her steady—safe—as I studied her features, so close to mine.
“Thank ye,” I whispered, but I wasn’t sure if I was thanking her again for tending my injury, or for allowing me to hold her.
Gods below, she feltright.
Beneath my kilt, my cock stirred, and I shifted so she couldn’t feel it.
“Rowena—”
“Why did you take me?”
The question seemed to wrench out of her, and she closed her lovely eyes, turning her face away from me as she continued in a softer voice.
“You called me a sacrifice…”
I lifted my fingers to her chin, turning her gently back toward me, wondering if she felt this same heat between us.
“I didnae ken,” I admitted. “No’ at the time. I just kenned…I could no’ leave ye behind. If I tore ye away from yer happiness,dkaar, then I am sorry for my selfishness.”
She studied me now, those blue eyes serious as they swept over my face, as if looking for the truth.
I realized she was holding her breath, and so I held mine, waiting for her to condemn me, or to assure me she was happier here.
Neither came, and at long last, she blew out a breath.
“Tonight, you take the bed.”
“Ye’re my guest, Rowena. I’ll no’ have ye sleeping on the floor.”
“I am your prisoner,” she countered briskly. “I bested you in battle, remember?”
Bested? Ha!
It took me a moment to realize she was teasing me, and a sense of peace settled over me, easing the tension from my muscles as I sat there with her on my lap. Gently, I slid my legs forward, shifting her weight so she leaned closer to me.
“Spar with me,” I commanded. “Tomorrow. We’ll see who bests who.”
