Page 26 of Never Kiss a Highlander

He rolled to his back, resting his head on his linked fingers. “I wasna happy with the arrangement ye da had worked out for ye with Archie Sinclair.” He turned his head to gaze at her. “Ye deserve so much more.”

Smirking, she punched him lightly on his side. “Like ye?”

“Aye.”

Alison flopped onto her back and placed her hands on her chest. “I doona want to be told what to do.”

“I doona want ye to put yerself in danger.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Nay. Ye canno’.”

“I have my weapons.”

“Ye have no weapons against a mon who wants to hurt ye.”

She gave a deep sigh. “I believe we should sleep now, husband. I am tired and I doona want to ruin what we just did by arguing.”

He leaned over and kissed her briefly on her lips, still swollen from his kisses. He was ready to have her once again, but no doubt she was sore.

Never having bedded a virgin before, he just realized it was his job to make sure she was comfortable for a night’s sleep.

He threw off the bedcovers and strode to the trunk where the bowl and pitcher with water in it stood. He took one of the linens next to it and dipped it into the water.

He turned back to the bed, and she watched him. “What are ye doing?”

“Taking care of my wife.”

Once he settled next to her, he reached down and cleaned her up. He looked at Alison and she was smiling. “Well done, husband.”

He tossed the cloth in the pile of clothes to be sent to the laundry room, then settled in alongside her. “Now ‘tis time to sleep.”

She yawned and rolled to her side. “Aye.”

Finn pulled her to him, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her next to him all tucked in for the night.

Within minutes they were both asleep.

Chapter Eleven

Alison woke to a cool, empty place alongside her on the bed. With his duties as second-in-command, Finn most likely rose early every day.

She looked at the slight stream of sunlight coming from underneath the window covering. She threw the bedcovers off and winced as she stood, a tad sore from the night before.

She flushed at the light blood stain on the bedclothes and assumed the maids would change it. What she wanted more than anything was a bath to soothe her, and then a ride on her horse, Bonnie-Bay. It would be nice if Mairi joined her, but she knew early morning was something her cousin rarely saw.

She requested the bath, and, although she had intended to soak for a while and enjoy it, she found herself too full of energy to spend time there.

After drying off, she quickly dressed and headed downstairs. She stopped at the great hall to grab an apple for Bonnie-Bay and a piece of warm bread and a chunk of cheese for herself.

She spent some time with Robin, Craig and their wives as they were getting ready to leave. Robin explained that he had left a lot of problems at Dun Ugadale that needed his attention.

“I apologize for no’ spending much time with ye,” she said, feeling a tad guilty about almost ignoring Finn’s family.

“No’ to worry, Alison, ye and Finn must come for a visit when ye get a chance,” Helena said.

After hugs, congratulations, and promises of a visit, she headed out of the keep and waved at Old Kilmead, who had been in charge of the stable since Alison had been a lass. He walked up to her, an odd expression on his face. “Good morn to ye, Lady Alison.”