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That stopped him dead, and he turned to glare at her as she stepped up beside him. “And you didn’t take it?”
“You would have died,” she argued.
“We had worked that out.”
“No, you lied to me. You do love me, and I love you.”
He grabbed her and brought his lips down so hard on hers that she thought he would crush the breath from her. But he didn’t. Instead, he fed the frenzied passion that had remained vibrantly alive in them.
He finally tore his lips away. “I will have you this night and put an end to this nonsense.”
“No, you mustn’t. We love each other. You will surely die,” she pleaded.
“Then it will be a good death.”
With that, he released her and started walking. “There is a vacant croft. It will take until after dark for us to reach, but reach it we will. And there is where I will make you mine.”
Tara followed. She was already beyond exhausted, as he must be, neither of them having slept since the previous night, leaving her too tired to argue with him. There would be time to debate whether they would make love or not. Truthfully, she was willing. She wanted him to make love to her, but she feared the cost was too high a price to pay.
They discovered tracks around the croft that disappeared into the woods to the east, away from them. There were also remnants of recent occupation of the cottage, the hearth ashes still warm. A traveler no doubt had made use of the vacant place and had left without extinguishing the flames, leaving the fire to burn out on its own. Unless soldiers canvassed the area, a thought they would need to keep in mind.
Tara was glad that Reeve had made her wait along the way while he had set about misdirecting anyone who followed. She felt safe enough that whoever had been there wouldn’t return, though that didn’t mean they could take a chance and light a fire. And they would need to be vigilant, meaning they would need to take turns sleeping.
There would be no making love tonight.
The cottage retained a small amount of warmth, which was sure to dwindle as the night wore on.
“We’ll huddle by the hearth where the heat remains.” Reeve held his hand out to her.
She hesitated, wondering if he still planned to do as he had claimed.
He seemed to know what she was thinking. “As much as I want to make love to you, this is not the time or place. Once we are safe, I promise you that nothing will stop me from making love to you.”
She walked over to him slowly, her hand outstretched. “I will attempt to make you see reason before then.”
He smiled and reached out to grab hold of her hand. “And I will convince you otherwise.”
“We’ll see about that,” she said, as his arms wrapped around her, and she melted into him.
“You surrender already,” he whispered, and pressed his lips to her temple.
“I am cold and hungry.”
“I can keep you warm and full,” he murmured, much too invitingly.
Her stomach answered with loud, grumbling protests.
Reeve laughed. “I guess I got my answer.”
They feasted on what foods Willow had packed, and they made sure to save some for tomorrow. Soon they found themselves huddled against the corner of the hearth. Tara sat curled in his lap, her head resting against his chest. Her cloak as well as Reeve’s wrapped snugly around them, keeping them warm along with their body heat.
His hand slipped from her waist to cup her breast. “I love the feel of you.”
“You said you won’t—”
“Make love to you, though I didn’t say I would not touch you.”
“Is that wise?”
