Surely her guardian would honor that settlement.
The Butcher’s eyes narrowed. “Save your negotiating. I’ve already decided to ask for much more than that.”
She was pleased at least to be getting somewhere, to be speaking of practicalities regarding her release. “So it’s ransom you want, then? In cash? Or land? Do you want a title? Because I am not sure my uncle has the power to grant that, but he could certainly—”
“I want no land, lass, nor do I seek a title.”
“Then whatdoyou want?”
The silence grew sharp and edgy while he stood in the gray hue of the morning light. “I want your betrothed to come and fetch you.”
“So that you cankillhim.”
“Aye, but it’llbe a fair fight. I’lllet him defend himself before I cut him in half. Now, get up and come to me.” He sat down on the fur with his back to thewall. “It’s been a long night and I’m weary of talk. I want your warm body next to me, to ward off thechillin my bones.”
She stood and approached him. “Are you not worried that I might slip your dagger from your boot and slityourthroat the moment youfallasleep?”
The corner of his mouth curled up slightly, as if he were amused by the notion. “I’llwrap my arms around you, nice and tight, and keep you very close—so if you move so much as a hair on that pretty head of yours, I’llfeel it.” He grinned.
“I’llfeel it right here, under my kilt.”
She glanced around the cave and wished there were a way she could somehow avoid lying next to him—because she knew verywellwhat he kept hidden under that kilt—but resigned herself to the fact that such hopes were futile. She had no choice but to surrender to the inevitable. She would have to lie next to him and try to sleep, for however long she could.
She sank to her knees, then stretched out on the soft fur.
He lounged behind her with his back to thewalland wrapped his arms around her waist.
Her heart began to pound faster at the intimacy of their position as hepulledher close. She’d never lain in bed with a man before, not even Richard. He was too much of a gentleman to suggest any such thing before marriage. But here she lay this morning, with a huge Highlander pressed up against her backside.
He nuzzled her hair with his nose, and his touch sent tingles of awareness up and down her arms and legs.
“You’re trembling,” he said.
“I cannot help it. I’m cold.”
But it was so much more than that. He was sexual y bold.
Decency and decorum meant nothing to him, and every move he made caused her to lose her breath. Itallseemed carnal and primitive, beyond anything she’d ever imagined would happen to her in her proper, civilized life.
She realized suddenly that nothing in that life would ever be the same again. Not after this.
He inched forward, nestling his hips closer. Her heart quickened.
“You’llwarm up soon enough,” he said. “And you can stop your shivering. I’llnot be groping you this morning, lass. I told you I was weary.”
She tried to relax, but her body would not stop shaking. “I suppose I should thank you.…”
“Thankme,” he said with surprise, lifting his head.
“Yes. For not depriving me of my virtue. I am grateful for that at least. Thank you.”
He chuckled and tucked his knees into the backs of hers, then nuzzled the side of her head again.
“You shouldn’t be too quick to thank me, lass,” he said in a voice that grew quieter as he began to drift off. “Because I never promised youthat.”
Chapter Four
Sleep proved impossible for Amelia. The Butcher, however, slipped effortlessly into a quiet and restful slumber.
