Cat rose, came forward, and sat beside him on the knee-high stone. Surely, she had not read his mind about how he wanted her.
Her sweet woman scent reached him. He had memorized it when he'd kissed her. Feeling he was burning from the inside out, he swallowed a long swig of wine, then, remembering his manners, offered her the wineskin. She drank and handed it back.
Her eyes said things he wished she would keep to herself. She was so artless and innocent, she did not even realize he saw every emotion, desire, and yearning skipping through her mind. When she arose and moved behind him, he tensed. She wrapped her arms around him and embraced him, her breasts pressing against his back. He felt the roundness and wanted to rub his face against them. She kissed his cheek, her soft, wet lips caressing his skin.
He tried to remain still, but his head turned without his permission, and his lips met hers in a half-sideways kiss. The feel of her mouth on his was delicious, sensual torment. She took his face between her hands and kissed him more fervently, then flicked her tongue against his lips. His body was fully ready to educate her in the carnal arts for hours, but they had no time.
He pulled away and stood, trying to regain his usual breathing pattern.
"'Twill nay be long afore I change form. You should get into your bedroll and prepare for sleep. I'll go into the wood, and when I come out, I'll look much different. I shall stand guard tonight and protect you. At daybreak, I'll shift back into a man."
She clenched her hands tightly and glanced about. "But when will you sleep?"
"I'm a light sleeper, and I can stand up while doing so." He observed her jittery movements. "Do you fear me in kelpie form?"
"Of course not." But her eyes said otherwise. "I've only seen you in kelpie form one time. Aggie feared you, but I did not."
"I would never hurt you."
She nodded. "I ken it."
"The time grows late. I'll be back forthwith. Sleep well."
"Wait." She ran forward and embraced him. "I thank you for coming along and helping me."
"You're welcome." He didn't have time to tell her how useless this trip was. "Stay here." He released her and strode into the wood, hating this damnable curse. If not for it, he might have had a chance of offering for her. But, in truth, not with her promised to a chief, no matter how vile he might be.
In response to the injustice of life, he wanted to smash something.
With jerky, rash movements, he unbelted his plaid, removed his shirt and boots, then waited impatiently for the time when day slipped into night, the start of the gloaming. The cool breeze whispered through the pine needles and slid across his skin, but he remained vexed. He missed Cat already.
A scream echoed from back at the campsite. "What the devil? Cat!" He ran toward her, but the shifting began. Roaring in outrage, he kept running as pain sliced through him.
Do not let anyone hurt her!
