The horse snorted and pranced about between the bodies of two wolves he'd trampled into oblivion.
Rebbie saw no more wolves or eye-shine amongst the trees.
"You got them, aye, Devil?" He turned to Calla, just behind him, still concerned about her anxious expression. "Can you hold this?" He gave her the sword, then took the horse's bridle and scratched his muzzle. "You did good, lad." He stroked his neck and looked for bite marks. He didn't see any obvious wounds but he'd have to wait until morn to be sure. The horse moved in a normal manner and none of his legs appeared injured, thank the saints.
Once he'd calmed the horse, he turned to Calla and took his sword from her trembling hand.
"'Tisover now," he said, sheathing the weapon. He drove the torch into the soft earth to give them light.
"What if the others come back?" she asked in a raw voice, her wide gaze searching the wood behind him.
"Devil will stomp the hell out of them."
She nodded, but the sheen of tears glimmering in her eyes near gutted him.
He pulled her close into his arms. "Shh, Calla.'Tisall right. I'll not let them get you."
Sliding her arms around his waist, she laid her head against his shoulder. Loving the feel of her against him, he buried his hand in her silken hair, the golden curls snagging against his rough fingers. He kissed the top of her head and he didn't want to stop there. He wanted to brush his lips over every inch of her. Protectiveness and excitement stampeded through him. Her female softness and her scent of flowers awoke a hunger within him, a need to taste her and feel her warm, satiny skin against his.
When she pulled back to gaze up at him, her eyes much darker gray now, he couldn't resist; he leaned in and claimed her lips, as he'd been dreaming of for days. Damnation, but her lips were silky and sweet beneath his. When she kissed him back, opening her mouth, lust near consumed him. He didn't ignore the invitation but took complete advantage, delving deep and tasting her arousing feminine flavor. Aye, he remembered the taste of her, had craved it more times than he could count.
"Mmm, Calla," he whispered, then flicked his tongue into her mouth once again.
Calla sank into the enthralling paradise ofRebbie'skiss. His sensual lips were firm and demanding against hers, his tongue forceful and arousing, making her crave far more. The contrast between his harsh beard stubble and smooth lips took her back over six years into the past. Her body, mind and heart awakened fully to him and 'twas almost as if no time had passed.
Her hands stroked over the hard muscles of his back. She pressed against him, taking all the kisses he gave and demanding more. No one had ever kissed her the way Rebbie did, with a firm but gentle passion that stripped away her defenses.
What are you doing?The question blasted through Calla's head. Her breathing unsteady, she turned her face aside, breaking the kiss, though she didn't want to. Nay, indeed. She might devour the man if given the chance. Excitement flashed along her nerve endings.
But she couldn't do this. Not with him.
She pulled back. "Pray pardon."
"Nay. I owe you an apology, but… I'll not be giving it."
She glanced up at him cautiously.
He lifted a devilish brow, his gaze sensual and heated. "'Twouldbe a lie. I'm not sorry for that kiss." His voice was deep and rough, making her crave more.
Nor was she sorry, but she couldn't tell him that. There were many things she couldn't tell him.
"We should not," she said, staring at her toes and stroking her chin where his short beard stubble had scratched her.
"Och. For a certainty. But who does what theyshouldall the time?"
Well, he knew enough about her to know she didn't.
"You are betrothed to my cousin," she said.
Stepping away, he gave a brief, bitter chuckle. "Not for long. I was on my way toDraughonto break the contract."
She'd known he would. Still, Calla couldn't be the one to steal Rebbie away from Elena. The lass believed she was in love with him. If she knew Calla had kissed him or… other things… she would never speak to her again. And, of course, Calla would have to find a new position. She knew no one else who would hire her.
Though the spell was broken, her lips still burned fromRebbie'skiss.'Twasa moment of heavenly bliss that could not happen again. Nay. She couldn't grow close to Rebbie. He could never find out her deepest secrets.
While she waited by the torch, he dragged the dead wolf from inside the castle ruin and down the embankment to the edge of the wood, and then moved the ones near Devil. A sense of dark revulsion came over her. She could've so easily been killed by the animal's teeth if Rebbie hadn't been there. They were large, healthy-looking wolves and had evidently been feeding well upon rabbit and deer. So, why had they felt the need to attack humans and a horse? They may have killed both before.
Carrying the torch, she followed him to the stream where he washed the gunpowder and blood from his hands, then they returned to the ruin. She placed the torch in the fire-pit, while he laid the sword with his other weapons behind his blanket. Then, he reclined on his back.
