Page 37 of Never Marry a Highlander

Chapter Thirteen

Craigshovedthebedclothesoff him.The cool air felt wonderful on his bare, sweaty skin.He turned and looked at his wife, fast asleep.Darkness in the room confirmed ‘twas most likely the middle of the night.

He must have slept away the day because he dinna remember Lenora climbing in with him.

Without waking, Lorena moved her hand down to pull the covers back up.He grinned as he placed his foot on them, so they wouldn’t budge.Finally, she opened her eyes.“I’m freezing, why are you keeping me from pulling up the blanket?”

“’Tis sorry I am lass but I am sweating and need some nice cool air.”

Lorena studied him.“Yer fever must have broken.”

“Well, ye sound like a healer.”

She shook her head and grimaced.“That conversation is for another time.”Her shift edged up her legs as she slid off the bed.“I can go to the kitchen and get some cool water to wipe ye down.”

“If that shift keeps rising up ye won’t be able to cool me down with water.”He grinned and she shook her head.

“Ye are sick, Craig.Now behave yerself.”

He reached out as she passed him to the go to the kitchen and squeezed her delectable bottom.She pretended to ignore him, but the gasp from her pouty lips told him she felt something too.He had to get thisbluidyillness over with so he could find some release in his wife’s tempting body.

He was still lying naked on top of the bedcovers when she returned.He smiled and winked, but she ignored him, instead dipping the cloth in the water and began wiping him down.

“How did yer talk with Helena go?”

Lorena took a deep sigh and continued her ministrations.“I had hoped to work in the kitchen since I am familiar with it and enjoy cooking.”She dipped the cloth again and began at his shoulders.“However, the Lady of the Manor had other ideas.She wants me to train as a healer.”

“Did she say why?”At her tap on his shoulder, he rolled over so she had access to his back.Along with his muscular shoulders, legs, and very tight bottom.

“Aye.She’s the only healer.The woman who was the clan healer for years is no longer able to do it and the young lass she had hoped to train to take her place is no’ at all suitable to the work.”

Craig turned his head so he faced her.“Helena would be a wonderful teacher.Ye should be honored that she wants ye to learn to be her assistant.”

Lorena flung the cloth in the bucket of water and placed her hands on her hips.“Mayhap I doona want to be her assistant.Mayhap I would like to do something else—like cook.”

“Come here,mo chridhe.”

She pouted, knowing she looked like a cranky bairn.“Why?”

“I just want ye to sit here next to me.”

She rolled her eyes.“Ye have no clothes on.”

“Aye.Verra observant.Mayhap ye can take that shift off and we will both have no clothes on.”Before she could stop him, he reached out and grabbed the nightdress and pulled her closer until she landed next to him.

“I would like to get more sleep, husband.”

He began to run his hands up and down her back, her curves driving him crazy.Just having her near, the scent of her soft skin and silky hair had his shaft rising.“I have the feeling ye doona like Helena.”

Lorena snorted.“No’ so.EveryonelovesHelena.She is pretty, smart, kind, generous, helpful, caring—”

He reached up and placed his index finger on her lips.“Does it bother ye, then that Robin chose her instead of ye?”

“Of course no’!I had no attachment to Laird Robin MacKay.He was just a mon my brother threw at me.”

“Yet I had to convince yer brother to marry me instead.”

She raised her chin and stared at him.“So the laird could marry his love.Helena.”She hopped up from the bed and picked up the bowl of water with the cloth in it.After bringing it to the table across the bedchamber she returned to the bed.