“And I yours.” Beyond simply the vow to protect her. He forced himself to release her, his fingertips sliding free from her arm.
Yet, she didna step back, but peered deep into his eyes. Her gaze softened, darkened with longing.
A dangerous desire surged through his body. Bloody hell. He’d be a fool to touch her.
Yet his traitorous hand reached out,cupped her jaw.
Her lips parted as if in surprise, but her eyes flared with desire.
“’Twould be a mistake to kiss you,” he said, wanting her with his every breath.
“Would it?” She moved her body against his. “Tell me that you dinna want to kiss me, and I will move away.”
And if she did, he’ddie. “Lathir—”
Triumph flashed in her eyes as she raised up, pressed her mouth against his.
Her taste slid through him, and need exploded in his body, roared through his veins until his every thought was of her.
Damning his weakness when it came to her, Rónán cupped her face, savored the quick gasp as he claimed her mouth, then teased, tempted, until she groaned underthe onslaught.
Heat pounded through him to take, searing his every inch, scorching the warnings to leave her untouched, blaring in his head. With the last shred of will, Rónán pulled back.
“Well, then,” she breathed, her voice unsteady, “’twas a bit more volatile than I expected, but it answers my question.”
“Which was?” he hissed.
Her mouth quirked in a shaky smile. “How kissingyou would be.”
So, she’d been thinking of it as well? Meaning he hadn’t imagined one whit of the ill-timed attraction between them. He stepped back before he couldn’t, putting much-needed distance between them. “I am charged with your protection,” he forced himself to say despite the heat pounding through his every fiber. “Until we rescue your father, we must work together as allies, naught more.”
Instead of being put off by his cool tone, she evaluated him. Understanding dawned on her face, and she took a step closer.“I worry you.”
Saint’s breath! “’Tisna a game.”
She shook her head, then lay her hand on his chest. “Rónán, I did naught but give youa simple kiss.”
’Twas naught simple about what the kiss made him feel, of how his blood still slammed through his body, and how he ached to strip off her garb and drive deep. “My role here is as your protector.”
“What worries you most, that I enjoyed kissing you orthat you did?”
He swallowed hard. “If you are done tempting me, I need to select food for our journey.” Against the thud of his heart, he strode to the food chest, shoved up the lid, and inspected the contents.
“Have you everloved a woman?”
His fingers tightened on the aged wood. Allowing a woman in his life, one beyond that of a friend, ’twas something, as a Templar, he’d had no reason toponder. “Nay.”
“There must have been at least one lass you allowed tobecome close?”
He grabbed a loaf of bread, several apples, then shoved them into the sack, glanced up. “My past plays nay part in my escorting you to Wynshire Castle.”
Lathir’s soft scent teased him as she moved beside him. With a twinkle in her eyes, she selected several oatcakes and stacked the baked rounds atop the items he’d stowed in the bag. “Does that mean you are going to answer the question, to a friend?”
However much he didn’t want to discuss the subject, during their time aboard the cog, he’d learned that with her stubborn streak, she’d pester him ’til she had an answer. And ’twould do little harm as he couldna allow more to ever grow between them, however much he desired it. There was toomuch at stake.
“I joined the galloglass and fled Ireland. I was often away at war.” Rónán picked up a small sack, loosened the tie. The potent aroma of dried herbs spilled out. “There proved nay time for a woman, nor would I have considered placing a lass in such danger.” He returned the pouch to the trunk, scoured the remaining goods. “A woman deserves a safe place. A home and a family. Not to be part of the life I live.”
“I see.” Her tone softened. “A safe place…that kind of life. Meaning for you that kind of life is accepted and understood?”
