"What is his name?"
"Bryce. We've always been very close."
She lay back down, and Colin told her all about his brother and his mother and father. Finally growing drowsy, she yawned.
"I'm boring you," he said.
"Nay, 'tis not that at all. I love hearing about your family."
"Well, 'tis late. I must be getting back to my chamber." He arose from the chair.
The thought of him leaving made her feel cold and lonely. "You could rest here," she blurted.
He was silent for a long moment. "What do you mean byrest?"
Her face burned. Mayhap she shouldn't have said anything, but she did miss him lying beside her. "Like we rested in the cave. And by the fire pit."
He blew out a breath. "You wish me to hold you… while we sleep?"
"If you would like to. I enjoyed it."
"I did too, of course, but 'tis a bit different, being in a chamber… in a bed. Someone might walk in, see us, and assume the worst."
"Bar the door."
"You are a reckless wench." The humor was evident in Colin's voice.
He was right. When it came to him, she was reckless indeed. Her blood raced with excitement any time he was near.
"I'll be right back." A moment later, the bar fell into place.
She shoved the covers down so he could get underneath. When he returned, she heard him kicking off his boots.
The edge of the mattress dipped under his weight, then he stretched out beside her and pulled the covers over them both.
"No one will walk in and misunderstand what's going on here," she said.
Colin turned toward her, lying on his side. "I've been deeply concerned about your injury."
"I still have some pain, but I'm much improved now." She slid her arm around his waist.
He kissed her forehead, then tucked her head beneath his chin. "Am I making your pain worse?"
"Nay. Now we can sleep." Although she didn't truly want to sleep. Instead, she wished he would kiss her lips as he'd done in the cave. Her heart raced with anticipation. But maybe he thought she was still too injured for any kind of sensual contact. For now, she would revel in his warm, tight embrace. She loved the reverent way he touched her.
She buried her nose against his shirt and drew in his clean, delectable male scent. And the more she breathed him in, the more her imagination ran wild. She vividly recalled those earlier kisses, and her restlessness increased. She was unsure whether she could sleep now.
***
Colin cherished the woman in his arms. He had never met anyone like Kristina. She turned his heart into mush. He did not pity her because of the blindness, but he wished she could see for her own sake, so her life would be easier. Although he was certain this affliction had made her a stronger and more resilient person.
As for himself, he did crave for her to look into his eyes at times, but 'twas merely a selfish yearning on his part. One of the many yearnings he felt around her. She stirred up a much stronger desire than he'd ever felt for his former betrothed. Or maybe 'twas simply that Kristina blotted out his memory of any other woman.
All his adult life, he'd wanted a woman who inspired profound excitement in him. Kristina did that. Even though he hadn't known her long, she was incredibly special to him.
He knew he should not be here in her bed, but he couldn't resist holding her, especially when she'd asked him to. He could only lie here a brief time, maybe a half hour. For a certainty, he could not fall asleep, or he might be trapped here in the morning.
Kristina snuggled closer to him, pressing herself to his chest. She made a humming sound of pleasure. The round, firm curves of her breasts near drove him mad… even through his shirt and her smock. Arousal blazed along his veins like fiery whisky. Saints! How he wanted her. In the soft glow from the fireplace embers, her blond hair gleamed faintly.
