"As you ken, he wishes us to marry soon."
"Oh." Dani looked uncertain.
When next Gavin glanced at his father, he'd closed his eyes, and his even breaths grew deep. He'd said his peace.
"He's napping now. Come." Gavin offered her his arm, then escorted her back to her chamber. "I hope you'll have your supper."
"Will you eat some?"
"I'm nay hungry, but I'll be back soon. I'm going to keep a lookout for Alpin and Wilona's men. If you hear any commotion outside, bar your door."
Her eyes widened. "Is there anything I can do to help out?"
He shook his head. "You're doing enough. Your mere presence here gives us hope this will all be over soon."
She slid her arms around his waist and embraced him. "Be careful."
Joy flooded his mind and body as he pulled her close. "I will." He kissed the top of her head, then pulled back. "You be safe." He headed toward the stairs, glancing back once to see her close the door. He wanted to kiss her thoroughly but 'twas too soon. She needed time to think. He would not force his affection upon her. She had to want it too.
∞∞∞
Dani lay on the bed in the candlelight, waiting for Gavin to return. Though she tried to keep her eyes open, she grew sleepier by the minute. Perhaps she had drunk too much of the spiced wine with her dinner. When a knock sounded on the door, it startled her.
Groggy, she dragged herself off the bed. "Who is it?"
"Gavin."
"Come in."
He entered and closed the door. "You look sleepy."
"I am."
He pulled her into a warm, comforting embrace, and she never wanted to let him go. Against all rationale, she wished he would spend the night here with her, so she could snuggle up to his warmth.
He kissed her temple, her cheek, then her lips. Her heart pounding with excitement, she felt connected to him in a profound way. He stirred her desires into a simmer, then pulled back.
"You must get some sleep. I'll be out tomorrow, patrolling the clan lands again, and you'll have plenty of time to think about what we discussed earlier."
She didn't want to think; she just wanted to hold him. But he was right, of course—she had to figure out the right decision.
Nodding, she said, "Be safe."
"You too."
After giving her another kiss on top of the head, he left. She missed him right away. This feeling intensified when she realized she wouldn't see him again until tomorrow evening. She should be happy about the wedding reprieve. Even though a day was a short time, it felt like forever. She'd asked for this—time to consider her options.
She lay down on the bed again, hoping to sleep, but the drowsiness eluded her. She stared at the low-burning fire in the hearth. What would make her happiest at this moment? To have Gavin lying behind her, giving her a warm, strong hug in the firelight? Or to be alone in a twenty-first-century apartment with the air conditioner on high?
∞∞∞
After getting a few hours of sleep, Dani paced in her bedroom the next morning. Would today be her wedding day? Could she make that decision?
She had always imagined her wedding so much differently.
Yes, she held a strong attraction to Gavin, and the physical intimacy didn't worry her in the least. In fact, she looked forward to it. But… was she ready to make a lifetime commitment to him? Normally, she would never marry someone on a whim, like a Las Vegas-style wedding. She considered this decision one of the most serious in life.
What if marrying him caused her to stay in this time period? To many people, it would seem like a fantasy come true. But when she considered the loss of all modern things, medical care, for instance, it became a bit scary.
