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It felt as if his whole body relaxed at once. His relief at hearing Father’s words was equal to—nay, greater than—when he’d seen Toren at the border.

“Thank you,” he said, turning toward the pathway that led to the small area on the other side of the great keep. When Father Simon bade him a good night, Reid called back the same. Running now, he stopped only when the clearing came into view ahead of him. He and his men trained in a much larger area beyond the walls, so this spot was hardly used, especially at this time of night. The only light came from the torches bracketed to the walls above it.

But that did not appear to stop Allie.

She stood alone, the training sword in her hand, her movements slow and graceful. Still hidden in the shadows, Reid allowed his heart to slow and his breathing to return to normal as he watched her.

Allie handled the sword as if she’d been raised with it in her hand.

He couldn’t help but think of the first time he’d seen her in her training clothes. His body had always responded to her in a way that defied logic. Of course she was beautiful, any man could see such a thing. But there was something else about her, something uniquely Allie that had drawn him from the start. The day he’d left Highgate, not knowing whether he’d ever see her again, had been the hardest day of his life. Her arrival, the brightest.

Why did he believe she had gone back to Highgate?

Because she should have.

But Allie was here, despite her good judgment, and he was going to celebrate that fact while attempting to forget everything else that had happened that day.

* * *

Reid was here.

She could not see him, not yet. But she sensed a presence and knew someone stood watching her from the opening in the clearing. For a brief moment she’d been afraid, but she had Toren’s assurance that she would always be safe at Brockburg. Besides, she knew he and Reid trained their men to follow a strict code of honor.

At first, she thought to confront him, but Allie wanted to finish her practice first.

“I must admit, you are the first swordsman I’ve ever admired from the shadows.”

She dropped the weapon and looked over her shoulder. Allie had forgotten him for a moment. How could she have done that? Each moment he’d been gone had felt like an eternity.

“I am sure there are others you’ve admired,” she said, turning completely toward him.

“Admired, aye,” he said, walking closer. “Watched the sway of their hips? Been jealous of a sword, wishing I could be so revered? Never.”

He wrapped his hand around hers, squeezed it ever so briefly, and took the sword from her. Moving to the wall, he stood the sword up against it. He returned, his travel-weary clothing an indication that he had come back very recently.

“You have just returned?”

“Aye.” He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face upward. Allie would be content to stand in this very yard, without knowing the outcome of his journey, and simply stare into his eyes.

“I missed you,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers. He captured her top lip first, then quickly followed the nip by hungrily consuming her. Allie responded, meeting his tongue’s thrusts with her own.

He grasped the sides of her head, guiding her, as if she needed guiding. Allie wrapped her arms around him in order to feel his flesh beneath her fingertips, needing to ensure herself he was truly there. After worrying that he might not ever return . . .

Reid moved his hands to her back, and then slid them lower. He squeezed her buttocks and pressed her against him. Allie would have gasped if she could have. The evidence of his need pressed against her, and she did not move away. Instead, she moved into him as he grinded against her hips.

Reid moved his mouth to her neck.

“I would take you here, Allie, if I could.”

She lifted her head to give him greater access.

“You’ve no idea the pleasures that await us.”

Allie thought back to her bath and disagreed. “I believe I’ve some idea,” she said, the words difficult to form. She wanted more, craved more. Grasping at his shirt, she pulled upward until she found flesh.

“I want more,” she whispered.

As his mouth found hers again, Allie’s entire body felt like it had been set aflame. Her breasts pressed against his chest, his hardness continuing to taunt her, and Reid’s expert tongue made standing difficult.