Forbidden Highlander (Highlander Trilogy 2)

“We want the same thing. What better way for us to achieve it than to remain by each other’s side. Then we can protect each other.”

Dawn shook her head, perplexed. Did he truly feel that she could protect him? She asked him directly, her hands moving much slower than before.

“You have proven several times to me just how brave a warrior you are. I have no doubt that you are capable of protecting me.”

The seriousness of his tone made her realize that he spoke the truth. She had never thought herself brave, but she had been forced to be courageous upon meeting Cree. And she had grown braver, gaining a strength she had never thought herself capable of.

“You make me proud,” Cree said and kissed her again briefly, though not quite so softly.

Dawn stared at him stunned by his words. He was proud of her. The only other person who ever told her that had been her mother. Dawn had never thought to hear those sentiments again. And her love for Cree grew threefold. The thought, however, of residing in the keep still did not sit well with her. She liked their time alone together here and besides, she felt as if she was surrendering to the culprit by leaving her home. Then there was the matter of what her presence in the keep would create.

She didn’t know how she could convince him that taking her to reside at the keep right now would only make the situation worse.

“I know you are wondering how you can change my mind,” Cree said causing her brow to quirk. “But it seems no matter how many guards I post—”

Her hand shot up and began gesturing, not giving him a chance to finish.

It pleased Cree that he was getting to understand her quick gestures more easily and so he listened to her tell him that all the guards he had posted had kept her safe. And that she would need to be diligent about making certain she did not go anywhere without them. And that his warriors would continue to inform him of her every move, and of course he could also spend more time with her. Her wicked smile and her hand moving along his leg left no doubt to what she meant. And while he wanted nothing more than her warm hand wrapped around his stiff rod, now was not the time or so he kept telling himself.

He grabbed her hand and smiled. “Later I will satisfy that insatiable lust of yours.”

Her smile faded and she shook her head. Her hands moved slowly between them, now and again touching him, telling him that the slightest touch of his hand tingled her senseless and that at first she thought she was a sinful woman for having such wanton feelings until she finally realized that it was love that made her feel that way. And she wanted to love him as much and as often as she could for nothing felt more wonderful and satisfying than having him inside her, loving her.

That did it, he was lost. It took barely any time to get them both naked and him inside her where he proceeded to take his time loving her.

Chapter Thirty-one

An uneasy stomach woke Dawn the next morning and she slipped out of bed leaving Cree to sleep. She worked as silently as she could, preparing a brew for herself that she hoped would ease her nausea. She had been relieved when Cree had relented and agreed to allow her to remain in her cottage, though more guards had been posted.

She sat at the table, her mind filled with thoughts of poor Bree. Last night when Cree returned to the cottage he had been annoyed that none of the sentries had seen anything unusual take place in the area where Bree had been found, though the warriors had reminded that their duties were to patrol sections so there were times when areas were not being watched.

Dawn was so caught up in her thoughts that she startled when Cree’s arm slipped around her waist, his hand settling over hers where it rested on her stomach.

He leaned over and pressed his cheek to hers. “Your thoughts are so deep that you forget I am here?”

She turned just enough for her lips to brush his, then shook her head and brushed her lips over his again, reminding him that that wasn’t possible.

“I am glad to know that you do not forget or else I would have to return you to bed and remind you.”

Dawn scrunched her brow and tapped her finger to the side of her mouth.

Cree grinned. “So you’re not sure after all?”

Dawn was about to shake her head when a bout of nausea hit her so quickly that her eyes clamped shut and her hand pressed harder against her stomach.