Page 56 of Warrior’s Lady

"I can keep this promise. I will."

Warmth curled inside her stomach when he returned his heated gaze to her face. "I appreciate your efforts."

A curious half-smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, making the cleft in his chin more pronounced. "Come with me."

"Where?" Her voice sounded as breathless as she felt. She pulled the coverlet tighter about her. All he had to do was look at her and the world seemed to stop.

"To a special place." His hand slipped from her hip to curl around her hand.

The heat of his touch melted whatever reserve she might have mustered. She nodded, her fingers twining with his. "Will we need an escort?" she asked as they headed for the door.

At his puzzled frown, she added, "Hamish and Travis."

Dark humor lit his eyes. "I bid them to find their beds for the rest of the night."

Her heart leapt with anticipation. She followed him down the hallway, away from the stairs, around several corners, then up a long spiral staircase that led to a bolted door.

"I used to come here as a child," he explained, dropping her hand to pry the thick metal bolt from its latch. He opened the door and motioned for her to proceed. "You can see all the way to the sea from here."

She stepped outside onto the wall walk. The area was deserted except for the two of them. A small watch fire burned in a metal grate nearby, keeping the chill of the night at bay. "Where are your guards?"

His smile turned reckless. "I gave them the rest of the night off as well."

"And the fire? Who set it?" she asked, not really needing an answer as much as she needed a moment to adjust to his nearness. He wanted them to be alone. Understanding softened his smile. "The fires are always set at night to keep the guards warm." He turned to the wall and picked up two small logs from the pile, then added them to the grate. "Now the fire will keep us warm instead."

She moved to stand between two crenellations, gazing out at the silvery light of predawn. Her heart raced. She should return to her room where she'd be safe from her feelings for this man. How many times had her mother warned her that proper young ladies did not walk about unescorted, especially in the dark. Dangerous things happened if they did. God knew her father had ordered some of those dangerous things to happen.

She kept her gaze focused on the landscape, looking out at the sea, when she felt him come up behind her and encircle her with his arms.

Instinctively, she leaned back against his chest. His embrace closed around her, his head resting near her ear. "What are you thinking about, Rhiannon?"

"That I shouldn't be here with you."

He smiled against her temple. "That was honest."

"I am an honest person."

He turned her around in his arms. "To be honest with you," he paused, "I want more of what we shared in the cottage." He slipped the woolen coverlet from her shoulders as his hands skimmed the thin white linen that covered her arms.

The early morning air pressed her nightrail against her body, caressed her limbs, heightening her awareness of her bare skin beneath the thin layer of cloth. His gaze traveled over her tousled hair, the curves of her breasts and hips, to her slippered feet. And again, warmth surged inside her, flowed through her veins, tuning all her responses to the warmth of his touch.

"You are dangerous to me," she replied, making no attempt to move away. "When you touch me I can't think." His lips brushed her temple. "I can't breathe."

She closed her eyes, trying to block the riotous sensations his lips created. The darkness only intensified the effect. She opened her eyes as her power to resist him ebbed away.

"I'll never hurt you."

He would hurt her. He was hurting her now with his soft touch and honeyed words. He would hurt her over and over again, every time he touched her. The kind of magic they shared could never last. She was certain of it. Her heart would break and she'd only have herself to blame.

Today's horrific events had taught her one thing; life was unpredictable. Staring death in the face helped to clarify her desires. And she desired the man who held her in his arms. She would willingly risk her heart to be with him, even for a short while.

The night smelled crisp, fresh snow mixed with the soft scent of heather, bewitching her further as she relaxed against his chest.

His breath hitched at her surrender. "I will stop whenever you say the word," he whispered against her ear as he pulled her forward until the sheer linen of her nightrail pressed against his shirt.

Her nipples hardened.

"We belong together like this, Rhiannon. Let's not fight whatever destiny brought us together. Let's enjoy what we can, without guilt or remorse."