Highlander's Guardian (5 page)

“What would be wrong is no’ kissing me.” A teasing smile lifted her lips. “I want to kiss you as well, to know what it’s like to share the same breath as you.”

“Damn it. You’re no’ listening.”

“Colin.” Brow arched, she tapped his mouth. “You shouldnae swear when a lass makes such a request. ’Tis no wonder you’re still unwed.”

“Which I intend to remain. Warriors have short lives, and you need a man who can care for you throughout all of your days.”

“Life is meant to be lived. Kiss me now so I’ll no longer wonder what your lips on mine would feel like. You know how curious I can get.”

“Such a request could also get you into a world of trouble.”

“I like trouble.” She threaded her fingers deep into his hair, guided his mouth to hers and kissed him. Her breath whispered softly across his tongue, a teasing caress that had him urging her lips apart to capture more of her essence.

This was wrong, but now he’d indulged, he couldn’t stop. Need rushed through him and he took control of the kiss, plunged his tongue inside her mouth and drank in her delectable innocence. He welcomed the raw intimacy, one he’d craved for so long.

“Mmm, I love the feel of your mouth on mine.” She pressed her breasts against his chest, kissed his jaw and nibbled toward his ear. “My heart is beating so fast. I’m no’ sure what to do.”

“I feel your heartbeat.” It pounded ruthlessly against his own. “Annie, what are we doing?”

“Getting into trouble, together. Kiss me again.”

“I didnae come in here to ravish you, but to ensure your safety.” He had to insert some space between them, to clear his head. “’Tis been a long day and we both need to rest.”

“Well, I’m wide awake now.”

“I’m exhausted.” He tucked her against his side, pulled the covers over them both. “Sleep, scamp. I cannae take any more right now.”

“Then we’ll sleep. I dinnae want to cause you more worry when you have enough on your shoulders.” She snuggled and slowly, her breathing evened out as she drifted.

The moment Annie succumbed to sleep, he finally closed his eyes and allowed his need for rest to take him.

* * * *

Waking to the sensation of Annie sleeping with her leg draped across his lower body and her hand curled around his neck, had Colin’s groin tightening. He shouldn’t have stayed in her bed, but he’d needed to hold her, and before he no longer had the chance to do so.

Carefully, he extricated himself from her warmth, hauled on his boots and strapped on his sword belt. With dawn so close, ’twas best he left before the rest of the castle stirred.

At the hearth, he prodded the embers back to blazing life and tossed a slab of peat on the fire.

“Is it morning already?” Annie murmured as she propped herself up on her elbows, her pale hair a tangled mess around her shoulders.

“Almost. I have business to be about in the city and the castle will soon awaken. I need you to bolt the door after I leave, and open it only for those you know. I’ve already instructed Arthur to guard you this day. You’re no’ to go anywhere without him. I dinnae need to worry about you anymore than I already do.” He walked to the door.

“I promise I’ll be careful. Will you be gone all day?” Annie hopped across the cold floorboards. “Oh, cold, cold.” She jumped onto his booted feet and stopped him in his path. “Sorry, but I usually pull socks on when I get out of bed. You move too fast.”

“I’ll get them for you.”

“Nay, never mind. I’m here now.” She wobbled and slid her arms around his waist. “You’ll be careful too?”

“Always.”

“You kissed me last eve.” She smiled, so brightly.

“Aye, and ’twas a nice kiss.”

“So you still dinnae wish to talk about us?”

“There is no us.”

She tut-tutted then said, “Whenever my father used to leave for the day, he always used to kiss my mother goodbye. He told me ’twas so she remained on his mind all day, as he wished to remain on hers.” Challenge lit her stunning blue eyes. “I would like to remain on your mind all day.”

“I will always think of you, kisses or no’.” He pressed her against the wall, every inch of their bodies fully aligned until heat raced the entire length of his body. How was he supposed to keep control when she teased and tempted him like this? One kiss, but he’d make it quick. He brushed his lips over hers then jerked back. “Done.”

“My father kissed my mother with far more passion than that.”

“And how would you know?”

“I was a nosy bairn.”

“Aye, and I remember just how nosy.”

“Please.” She ran her thumb along his lower lip. “Kiss me again. Show me your passion.”

“You’re going to be the end of me.” He dipped his head and covered her mouth with his. Lost, and with breathless urgency, he kissed her deeper, darting his tongue over hers until she panted for more. “Annie.” He caressed her sides, roamed down and scooped her bottom. Lifting her higher, he made certain she felt every hard inch of him. “This is dangerous.”

“Oh.” She seized his biceps. “I like your form of danger.”

He kissed her again, until their breath mingled as one and the heat between them blazed and swarmed his senses. Damn, he had to stop. Where was his resolve?

Breathing hard, he pulled away. “I hope that will be one kiss you never forget.”

“I’m certain of it.” She licked her lips and he groaned.

Heaven help him.

He heaved the door open, shut it behind him and adjusted his too-tight trews. Annie was a temptress he had no business playing with. He certainly couldn’t allow her to waylay him when his oath to his chief had to come first.

Through the dark weave of passageways, he returned to his chamber and once inside, stripped off his shirt and dunked his head in a basin of icy water. He came up and sent drops flying. Soap in hand, he scrubbed his jaw then ran his dirk across his stubbles.

Dressed in black trews and a leather vest over his tunic, he marched out the door, his mind once again clear.

“Building the bonds between the clans is important.” James’s voice echoed toward him. “Annie is aware I wish to court her. I would like your permission to do so as well.”

Colin stopped outside one of the private rooms where at night men often enjoyed a game or two of cards.

“James, I cannae believe you have the gall to ask such a thing after I was forced to agree to the handfast between her and your brother.” Rory’s voice. “I dinnae wish her to marry you anymore than I did Alex.”

Colin stepped through the doorway. The antechamber’s gilt-encrusted walls, carved ceilings and lavishly upholstered furniture gleamed, and at the window overlooking the inner courtyard, Rory stood, his dark blond hair trailing over the tip of a massive claymore holstered to his back, his tunic and breeches damp from training.

James MacDonald palmed the hilt of his sword as he continued, “My brother is happily married, and to a MacLeod no less. All I ask is for some time with Annie, to see if we might make a good match.”

“Your request is denied,” Colin bit out as he stormed up to James. “I’ll never allow you to wed Annie. She deserves far better than the likes of a MacDonald.”

James snorted. “Of course you’d say that, but she’s been given the choice to decide.”

“She’ll never choose you. She needs her kin close by and you cannae provide that.” He stood side by side with Rory, the MacLeod chief nodding in agreement with him.

“I would never prevent her from visiting Dunvegan,” James glanced between them. “As I’ve already told Rory.”

“And what of when she wishes to visit Duart on Mull? She is a MacLean, as much as she is a MacLeod.”

“Should she wish to visit the Isle of Mull, I wouldnae stop her.”

“The hell you wouldnae.” He grasped his sword.

“Colin, remember where you are.” Rory laid a restraining hand on his shoulder. “As much as I detest his request, I’ve still left this choice to Annie. Thankfully, we both know she’ll never agree to such a match, so this discussion is moot.”

“And if she does agree?” James countered.

“Then I’ll convince her otherwise.” Rory walked to the door, pulled it wider and gestured for James to leave. “Our conversation is done.”

“You believe so, but for peace to prevail, you and I still have much to talk about.” James left, but not before sending Colin a look over his shoulder that spoke of a man intent on his mission. The glint of determination in James’s eyes was one warning Colin would certainly heed.

“We’ll need to keep an eye on him.” The hair on Colin’s nape stood on end. “He’s up to no good.”

“Lord Sinclare also spoke to me last eve, although I couldnae find you after he had.” Rory scrubbed a hand over his face. “He too put in a formal offer. He needs to take a young wife in the hope of replacing his heir. He lost both his sons last year.”

“I’m aware, but Annie has no intention of marrying that man either.”

“I agree Sinclare is no’ for her. Watch over her for me today. The king has requested my attendance and he willnae accept an apology. I have no choice but to go.”

“I too have business to attend to in the city. Arthur will guard her. I’ve already given him that order, and when I return, I’ll watch over her. I’ll never allow James MacDonald to court her. On that, I give you my word.”

“Rory, there you are.” Annie breezed into the room, her full red velvet skirts brushing the floor and her sweet rose scent engulfing Colin. He wanted to drown in that scent. “I hope I’m no’ interrupting either of you.”

“Nay, never.” Rory smiled at her. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very. Will you be around and about this day?”

“No’ until this eve. What did you need?”

“I wish to go riding.”

“Then take Arthur and Elizabeth as escorts. I’ll speak to my captain and ensure he arranges a sufficient guard for the ride. I’m sorry, but I must be away, lass. The king waits for no man.” He kissed her cheek and strode out the door.

Annie turned her mischievous gaze on him. “Well, well. We are all alone again, and at a time when I didnae expect to see you.”

“Where do you intend to ride?” He crossed his arms in the hope that action would prevent him from reaching for her.

“Around the park.” She stepped closer, slid her hands over his crossed arms and dipped her fingers into the gap between. “You look dark and dangerous in full black attire. Would your current business be an activity in which you wish discretion?”

“I’m a warrior. I prefer to wear dark clothing. It aids me in blending into the shadows.”

“And you’ve shaved.” She kissed his chin. “Mmm, ’tis so smooth.”

“Cease distracting me. This morn, James approached Rory with a request to court you.”

“Aye, I’ve already told you of his wishes.” She winked and sashayed out the door.

“Annie.” He followed her down the passageway. “Where are you going?”

“To break my fast. If you have time, come and join me.”

“I’ll make time.” His business with Ian could wait a little longer, and he had yet to find Arthur who should have been up and about by now and standing sentry outside her door. He led Annie into the great hall where he found the very man he was after sitting at a trestle table in the far corner. He joined Arthur and scraped a wooden chair out for Annie.

“How are you this day, Arthur?” Annie smiled at Arthur as she sat.

“Very good. Did you sleep well?” He munched on an oatcake.

“Aye, and more soundly than I thought I would.” She glanced at Colin as he took the seat next to hers. “I didnae ask. Did you rest well?”

“There was a lump in the bed, one I wasnae used to.” A lump with long blond tresses he adored. He hauled out his dirk, cut a slice of bread from the loaf and slathered it in jam before taking a bite.

“Hot oats, sir?” A serving maid appeared with a large tray holding steamy bowls.

He nodded, and she set a bowl before him and Annie.

“That’s awful, about the lump, Colin.” Annie poured milk over her oats and his, then picked up her spoon. “I cannae stand such things myself. Whenever I find a lump, I roll over it a few times and flatten it out. ’Tis the best way to deal with lumps.”

He coughed and almost choked on the bread he munched. “And exactly how often do you find these lumps?”

“More often of late than ever afore.” She patted his back. “That’s a nasty cough you have. If you like, I could take a look at your lump.”

“My lump will be fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

Arthur scratched his chin. “’Tis been a while since I found a lump in my bed myself.”

“Lucky you.” Annie giggled. “They can be quite the nuisance and very difficult to get rid of once they make themselves at home.”

“Behave.” Colin squeezed her leg under the table.

“You started it.” She pointed at the bread. “Could you pass me some please?”

“Aye, allow me to feed my lump roller.” He cut a slice, added jam and handed it to her.

He enjoyed his meal and the light conversation that followed, no matter that Annie continued with her teasing. Her smile was infectious and lightened his heart. Hell, he’d missed such times like these with her whenever they’d been forced apart.