Lying in the dry shed, Dunn barely raised his head as Neacal passed him on his way to relieve himself behind the outbuildings. Next, he petted Dunn and listened for prowlers for a few minutes. Hearing naught more than his horse nickering softly in the byre and munching on oats, he washed his hands and face in the nearby cold stream. The water felt refreshing on his overheated skin. Standing, he drew the cool air deeply into his lungs.
A sharp pain pierced his shoulder. Gritting his teeth, he massaged it with his other hand. He had strained it when he'd climbed that cliff earlier. After a few moments, the pain eased and Anna claimed his thoughts again.
She'd suddenly become even more spellbinding to him. 'Twas no longer a simple carnal attraction. But then, it truly never had been. Even from the first moment he'd heard her sing, something deep within his soul had yearned for her. He'd wanted to be in her radiant presence and learn everything about her.
Now, he knew they were alike in many ways.
He didn't know how he could resist her this night. Legally, she might be a married woman, but 'twas the worst sham he'd ever heard of. How could a man mistreat her so badly and destroy her family? Blackburn was no man, but a beast. A criminal and murderer. Neacal wanted to be the one to mete out justice in her stead. For a man to abuse those who were weaker than himself was not the Highland way. Two armed warriors meeting for hand-to-hand combat was indeed the Highland way, and he was ready for it. 'Haps he'd been preparing for this confrontation for the past several months and didn't even know it. A chill spread over him as he glanced back at the cottage. Saints! He didn't understand fate or destiny, but Anna did. Some of the things she'd said to him were so simple, yet profound.
Having been away from her for a mere quarter hour, he was already starting to hanker for her presence again. He couldn't grasp the effect she had on him—comforting, yet exciting.
Leaving Dunn guarding in the shed, Neacal returned to the cottage.
Anna sat on a stool by the fire-pit. Her gaze darted to him. "Is everything all right out there?"
"Aye. All is peaceful."
She arose and headed toward the door, taking the lantern from his hand. "I find that since the rain has slacked, I need to… visit the byre also."
He opened the door for her and exited behind her. She turned back, a question in her eyes.
"I'll await you at the door. I don't wish you to be afraid."
"Oh. Very well."
Though the light was too low for him to see her blush, he imagined her skin was rosy-red.
After she relieved herself, they returned to the cottage a few minutes later without incident. She set the lantern on the table, then tossed out the water from the basin and refilled it from the bucket. She washed her hands and face while he barred the door.
"You may sleep in the box bed." He motioned to it, the only one in the small cottage.
"Nay, 'tis your turn. I slept on the bed last night at the tavern."
"Nonsense. We're not taking turns."
"I'm not sleeping there," she said, an obstinate glint in her eyes.
He frowned, not liking that at all. He now knew she was a high-born lady, and even if she wasn't, she deserved the softest of beds every night.
"I'll not argue it further," he muttered. "I'll sleep on the floor."
"Then we both will," she blurted.
Both of them sleep together on the floor? Arousal flamed through his veins, and his gaze flew to her. She must have realized what she'd said, for her face flushed red as a fiery sunset. But she did not avoid his gaze.
Damnation, how he hungered for her sweet, stubborn mouth. He clenched his teeth in restraint and shoved his hands into his damp, mussed hair. What the hell was he doing here with a married woman?
Even knowing Anna was legally bound to a blackguard, he wanted her in a most wild and fearsome way. Did he have enough of the scoundrel left in him to have his way with her? To seduce her with long, slow kisses and languid caresses?
He muttered a curse and paced away from her. It had been so long since he'd been with a woman… to imagine Anna naked before him… 'twas almost more than he could withstand. Need blazed through his body, hotter than a bonfire. What if he finished before he even got started?
He had barely restrained himself last night as he'd brought her to the peak of pleasure. But he'd learned much about self-control, willpower and endurance over the past several months.
He shook his head, wishing more than anything he could kiss her right now. His chest ached and yearned… but he could not. "I suppose I should get some sleep. I want to arise before dawn and head back down to the pass to make certain they don't come through." He bent and picked up his bedroll. After untying it, he flung it out on the floor. The spearing pain in his shoulder returned. Hissing, he ground his teeth and massaged the tight muscle.
"Are you injured?" she said in a rush and moved in behind him.
"I strained it earlier, when I climbed the cliff to get a better view," he muttered. "'Tis from an old injury."
