“Get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be leaving in the morning for Breaghacraig.” He did his best to make himself comfortable on the floor by the hearth, with his back to Brenna. He could hear her removing her gown and pulling back the bed covers. He closed his eyes and thought about his soft, comfortable bed in San Francisco, as if thinking about it could make the cold, hard floor more comfortable. He turned onto his back and thought it might be better to try sleeping in the chair. He rose to do so, removing Fingall’s shirt, which barely fit him and would be toouncomfortable to sleep in. He laid it across the back of the chair and saw that Brenna was watching him.
“Ye can sleep in me bed, if you wish. We have handfasted. ‘Twould be yer right to do so.”
He would like nothing more than to crawl into bed with her. She was so sweet and lovely in her linen shift. The curves of her body, outlined by the glow of the firelight sent waves of longing through him to his rapidly hardening manhood. He mentally shook himself, clearing his head of his lust filled thoughts.She isn’t really my wife. I did this to help her. I can’t take advantage of this situation.“No. I’m fine,” he said, his voice sounding strained.
“Ye can hardly be fine. Ye’ve gone from the floor to the chair and I dinnae believe ye’ll find comfort there.”
Zeke stood, watching her. She seemed sincere. He could sleep next to her without touching her. She didn’t like him anyway, he reminded himself.
“I’ll nae be able to sleep thinking of ye up all night in that chair.” Brenna pulled the covers aside for him. “I willnae bite ye, Zeke Barrett,” she giggled.
Zeke moved towards the bed. “I hope not,” he said. “I don’t know how I’d feel about having a wife that was a biter.”
Zeke sat on the edge of the bed, removing his boots before lying back, his body relaxing into the softness of the mattress. “Thank you, Brenna.”
Brenna pulled the blankets over them both and lay down a few inches away. “I should be the one thanking ye. I ken ye didnae wish to marry me, but ye did it anyway.”
Zeke really didn’t want to discuss it anymore, so he ended the conversation. “Good night.”
“Good night, husband.” Brenna said, as Zeke groaned out loud.
***
Brenna stayed awake, watching Zeke sleep. She was grateful to him for helping her, but she was also finding that maybe she liked him more than she originally thought. He was a good man. Better by far than any of those who lived here at Castle Treun. Propping herself on one elbow, she used her other hand to tentatively touch his face. She imagined what it might be like to live her life with this man and as she was about to pull her hand away, Zeke’s arm snaked around her and pulled her close. Not sure what to do, Brenna rested her head on his chest and fell asleep to the steady beat of his heart.
Chapter 9
An unusual pressure on his chest woke Zeke at first light. It took a moment for him to acclimate himself to his surroundings and when he did he found Brenna’s head resting peacefully on his chest. He didn’t wish to disturb her, so he lay perfectly still examining the angelic quality sleep brought to her pretty face.
According to sixteenth century law, he was temporarily tied to Brenna for a year and a day. None of that mattered to him. He knew that he could return to his world as soon as he found Sara. He’d help Brenna get settled with her brother and then be on his way.
Brenna stirred and her hand joined her head on his chest, causing other parts of him that had been asleep to awaken. He hadn’t slept with a woman in a long time. Before Helene appeared in his life, Zeke was a happy bachelor, moving from woman to woman and never spending more time with them than was necessary. He knew he had broken a few hearts, but he hadn’t been ready for a long-term relationship. It took Helene toshow him that he was. He wouldn’t have to worry about breaking Brenna’s heart. She didn’t much care for him, having made that clear right from the start. She no more wanted to be married to him than he to her. She’d be Dougall’s problem once they reached Breaghacraig. There was absolutely no need to worry about her. Their parting wouldn’t cause a moment of angst for either of them.
Still, he found he liked the feel of her as she lay there next to him. He shifted the arm lodged beneath Brenna’s shoulder and ran his fingers through the silky softness of her hair as he let his nose nuzzle the top of her head. The scent of lavender wafted up to him, tickling his nose with its sweetness.
This is what it would be like to wake up every morning with a wife.There was a certain peace which had settled in him as he lay there. He had no desire to move or to leave this spot. He wondered if he could ever be the kind of husband a woman would want. Would he be a good father? His brain turned to thoughts of his own childhood and to his parents. Memories of them were never good, so he turned his thoughts to his sister and his grandfather, who was no longer living. Sara was all he had. He couldn’t lose her. Once he returned home he decided he’d finally think about settling down. He had a stable life now. A good business that he’d nurtured. He had a place to live and while it wasn’t his, it felt like home. Yes. That is what he would do. He would work on building a foundation for the rest of his life.
***
Brenna awoke with a start. There was a man in her bed and she was touching him!
“Is everything alright? Did you have a bad dream?” Zeke asked, concern evident in his voice.
“I’m fine. I’m just not used to sharing me bed. I forgot you were here.” She rolled away from him and sat up. “Is this what it’s like to be married?”
“I wouldn’t know, but I imagine it’s a lot more than just sleeping with someone.”
“Aye. Ye’re right.” The thoughts and feelings she was having were very conflicted. Although she enjoyed the feel of Zeke’s chest beneath her cheek and it had caused her to experience an odd sensation in her belly, she was embarrassed to have found herself in such a vulnerable position. She didn’t want Zeke to think she needed him for anything more than her escape from Castle Treun. “We should rise. We can begin our journey to Breaghacraig as soon as we’re ready.”
“What’s your hurry?” Zeke teased. “Are you afraid they’ll make us stay?” A crooked grin lit his face, flustering her and causing her belly to do flip flops.
“Nae. Of course not. Greer will be saddling our horses and packing our bags for us.”
“She really doesn’t like you, does she?”
“Nae. This castle has always been mine to manage. ’Tis my… ’Twas me home.” She hated the fact that she was being driven out of the only home she’d ever known, but she had a new life awaiting her and it was time to say goodbye to this one. “Greer wants to be in charge and having me here has been a threat to her.”
“You could say the same.”
