He gave a brief, rough chuckle.
Her head lay on his muscular upper arm, and her nose was pressed against his chest. He smelled so manly in a very appealing way. 'Twas all she could do to keep herself from humming out her enjoyment.
She drew in a deep breath through her nose for another whiff.
"What's wrong? Your breathing sounds odd," he said.
She grinned, wondering what would happen if she told him the truth. "You smell good."
He inhaled against the top of her head. "And so do you."
Was he lying, or only saying that because she'd commented on his scent? Either way, she was thankful now that, the previous day, the mistress of the inn in Glenfinnan had taken pity on her and assigned one of the chambermaids to help Kristina take a bath. She had not dared ask for either woman's help in escaping, lest Blackburn kill them. She had simply pretended to be Blackburn's sister-in-law and ward, as he'd claimed.
Don't think of the beast, she told herself.Just enjoy this moment… one of the most blissful she could remember. She felt so safe, warm and protected, lying here in Colin's arms. He had a caring and comforting feeling emanating from him. Was she only imagining it? Fantasizing and hoping? 'Twas ridiculous. He could not care for her already. They'd only just met. Some innate part of her told her she was not dreaming it up, that her impression was real. She relaxed into it and let go of her fears.
She had not slept well in days, not since Holme had tried to attack her in the middle of the night, and the exhaustion combined with Colin's delicious heat and comfort lulled her to sleep and into dreams.
***
Colin could not believe he lay in a cave with a fairy sleeping in his arms. Kristina felt so small, soft and slight, like a feathery bird with a broken wing. How could such profound strength of spirit lie within her?
He could not help but compare her to his former betrothed. Lady Emma had not been so delicate feeling. Not that he had held her like this, lying down, but he had held her close enough to kiss her a few times. But 'twas not Lady Emma's lips he was thinking of kissing now.
Nay, indeed.
When arousal coiled slowly through him, stronger and tighter with each moment that passed, he felt like a depraved rogue. He drew in a slow, deep breath, trying to calm himself, but this only filled his awareness with her luscious female scent. She lured him like a fresh brambleberry pie… near irresistible.
Was Kristina an innocent? She had to be, given how she'd been sliding her fingers along his back earlier, almost as if she'd never felt a man before. He hoped she hadn't. He wanted to be the first to hold her, to kiss her… damnation! Why was he thinking of that? He had to cease such imaginings. He did not want to get entangled with another lady.
He hadn't been with a woman in a very long time. That was it. Hell, his body was letting him know loud and clear who and what it was interested in.
Once the idea of kissing her had sprung into his head, it wouldn't leave. The image turned into a full-blown fantasy. He could almost feel the smooth, hot wetness of her mouth against his own. He hungered to taste her lips, but he could not. He gritted his teeth against the heightened need.
She moved restlessly in his arms, brushing against him, making matters far worse. He stifled a groan, hoping she wouldn't feel what she'd done to him.
She had been asleep no more than a half hour when she started awake. "Oh." She froze and tried to draw away from him. "Where am I?"
"'Tis me. Colin. We're in a cave."
She let out a relieved breath, relaxing again. "I remember now." She was silent for a moment. "Do you have anything to drink? I'm thirsty."
"Aye." He reached above his head and took the wineskin Ethan had filled from the stream. "Here's some water."
Sitting up slightly, she swallowed two long gulps. "I thank you."
After taking a few sips himself, he recorked the wineskin and set it aside.
She snuggled closer and released a sigh against the upper part of his chest. "I feel better now," she whispered.
"I'm glad." Good lord, how was he supposed to tolerate her sighing against him with her warm breath while pressing her slim, curvy body against him? The soft mounds of her breasts flattening against his chest were driving him mad.
Unable to help himself, he sniffed her hair again. 'Twas not a soap scent but pure sweet female. His arousal grew and it took great effort for him to suppress a groan.
"I was going to wait and ask my sister, but… I'm too curious." Kristina sounded bright and merry of a sudden but kept her voice quiet as if 'twas a secret. "What of Anna and Chief MacDonald? Is he smitten with her?"
Colin grinned, remembering how clear Neacal had made his feelings for Anna. "Aye, he is. Very much so."
"And is she smitten with him?"
