She frowned. "You're surely not going back to sleep."
"Aye, of course. Didn't get my nap out." He gave a slight grin.
How could he take this so lightly? "What if the wolves return?"
"I doubt they will risk it. The gunfire scared them."
She shook her head, feeling jittery. "I can't sleep now, especially with the doors and windows wide open to the predators."
On the plaid, he turned to his side and motioned to her. "Come. Lie here with me. I'll protect you while you sleep. I have my sword, dirk, and one loaded pistol right here behind me."
Lie with him? Was he mad?
"Do you not trust me?" he asked.
"Well… aye, of course.'Tisonly…."
Surely the man had gone daft. He wanted to hold her in his arms? Would he kiss her again? She couldn't imagine actually going to sleep with him beside her, especially after that scorching kiss, but at least she would be safe from the wolves if he was so close beside her.
"Very well." She moved toward him.
"Give me your cloak," he said.
When she did, he formed a pillow for them both.
She lay down upon his blanket and he covered them both with the other one. She turned on her side, facing the fire-pit, and he snuggled against her back, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Oh, heavens! He was so warm, solid and comforting. She closed her eyes and savored the hard strength of his muscles against her.
"Ah," he sighed, his breath stirring the hair at the back of her head. "All is well now, lass. Just relax."
Aye, she supposed she was tense, but 'twas because she lay within the arms of a most sinfully attractive man. A man she had dreamed about countless times over the last few years. A man who had just kissed her senseless a short time before. So potent was his kiss, she'd forgotten her terror for a few moments. Now, both extremes tugged at her nerves—her fear that a wolf would leap through the window onto them, and the drugging memory of his kiss.
The masculine scent of him filled her senses—a combination of sandalwood, leather, horse and the wild outdoors combined with a unique intoxicating scent that was Rebbie. She remembered it from years ago, and had missed it so much her eyes burned with nostalgic tears. How many nights had she lain awake, dreaming, wishing for one more night with him? She recalled what it had been like that night. The bed had been narrow and hard, but the heat ofRebbie'sstrong body and his arm around her had been so comforting. She hadn't slept. She'd stayed awake to savor the feel of his arms around her while he slumbered, something she'd never experienced in her life. She'd felt so safe and comforted, just as she did now.
Simply to lie in his arms and be held… 'twas a dream come true.
She didn't think she could sleep, but she must have, for when she awoke, the castle's cellar was bright with morning light flooding in the door, andRebbie'sarms were wrapped tightly around her. His even breathing told her that he still slept. Even though her shoulder ached from the cramped position on the stone floor, she didn't want to move. She didn't want to be released from the warm, consoling enclosure of his arms. Ever. She simply wanted to absorb the feel of him and memorize it, for this was likely the last time she would experience this.
Oh, she knew he wouldn't marry Elena. But he would never be Calla's. He could never learn her secret. If he did, he would never forgive her. Besides that, she didn't know what he and his father might do. Report her to their cronies in parliament?
I'm sorry, Rebbie.She squeezed her eyes shut and the burning tears ran toward her temple. He would hate her, ruin her, and never want to set eyes on her again.
***
Something tickledRebbie'snose, waking him. When he opened his eyes, his vision was filled with honey-blond curls.Calla.
He buried his nose in the fragrant strands and inhaled deeply.
She stiffened and sniffed. What was she doing? Wiping at her eyes?
He raised himself up on one elbow and pushed her hair back from her face. She turned away, trying to hide.
"Are you crying?" he murmured.
She shook her head, lifting her hands to cover her face. "Nay.'Tisnaught."
"I don't believe you." Surely, she couldn't still be thinking of the wolves. Nay, he didn't think these tears were born of fright.
