Page 54 of Highland Spy

“What is this place?” she asked, curiously.

“It’s a place of privacy that I built years ago along with Logan, Hawke and Ethan.”

“What is it for?” She held out her arms as Caleb helped her from the horse.

“Like I said . . . it’s for whenever we needed some time alone – or with someone else but out of watchin’ eyes.”

“It’s a love nest, isna it?” she asked with a giggle.

“Well, it might have been used for multiple purposes,” was all he said. He tended to the horse and then they made their way inside.

“It’s dark in here,” said Bridget, holding on to Caleb’s arm.

“Give me a moment,” he told her.

She heard the sound of scraping flint and then saw a spark. Caleb lit a candle and the flame encompassed the small room in a soft glow. There wasn’t much in there. Just a small table and two chairs. Also, an overstuffed pallet atop a raised platform with a blanket and two pillows in the middle of the floor. There was only one small window and it was covered by a wooden shutter that was closed.

“Och, this really is a love nest!” she said in excitement, since now she and Caleb would have time alone and not have to worry about watching eyes.

“Go look for mice, Slink,” said Caleb, closing the door and putting the pine marten on the table. Slink crawled over the top of the chairs and then, to her surprise, crawled up the wall and settled in the crossbeams overhead.

“Slink did that easily,” she said, stretching her neck to see the animal looking down at her.

“Because of his retractable claws, it’s easy for him to climb. Sometimes, I find him way up high in a tree.” Caleb put his bag on the table, walking over and lighting another candle. Then he came back and pulled a flask out of his pouch.

“What’s that?” she asked as he uncorked the top and handed it to her. She took it as he unbuckled his weapon belt and laid it on the table as well.

One sniff told her it was that dangerous Mountain Magic in the flask.

“Have some. It’ll help ye relax,” he told her.

“Nay, but thank ye. I’ve seen what this can do to a man. I’d hate to think what too much of it can do to a woman.” She handed it back to him. He looked down at it as if he wanted a drink, but then corked it back up and slipped it back into the bag.

“Ye’re right. I want to spend time with ye and remember every minute of it, so I willna have any either.”

Bridget shivered from the night air, pulling her cloak tighter around her. “There’s a chill in here,” she told him.

“I’m sorry there is no hearth,” said Caleb. “It’s just a simple place. But if ye’re cold, I can warm ye up.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. His hands went to her braid, and he quickly unbound her hair, letting it fall loose over her shoulders.

Instantly, she felt a spiral of heat go through her. “Mmm,” she said.

“Is it workin’?”

“A little,” she answered.

“A little isna guid enough.” He picked her up in his arms, making her giggle.

“Caleb MacKeefe what are ye doin’?”

“I’m goin’ to warm ye up, lass. And when I’m done, ye’ll be so hot ye’ll want to run around stark naked just to cool down.”

“Stark naked? If I’m cold, I should be puttin’ more clothes on instead of takin’ them off, shouldna I?”

“Nay, no’ necessarily.” He brought her over to the pallet and gently laid her down atop it. “Actually, they say that body heat is the best way to get warm. But to do that, two people have to remove all their clothes and press up against each other.” He caressed her hair, rubbing it against the side of his face. His eyes closed slightly when he did it. It was a sensuous act and it excited her more than she already was.

“They? Who are they?” she asked playfully, watching as he removed his shoes and then his plaid and dropped them in a pile on the floor.

“When I say they, I mean anyone who has tried it.”