Page 39 of Never Marry a Highlander

That was what she told herself as she washed her face and combed her hair.He would do his duty to the laird and his clan and be off on one assignment after another and she would make a life for herself here at Dun Ugadale.When they came together they would share their passion and then separate again.

Exactly what she wanted.Or at least did at one time.Now her feelings were very confused.She was uncomfortable with the perfect Helena and still resented that she hadn’t been allowed to work in the kitchen.Truth be told, she did enjoy the work that she and Helena did.‘Twas more to her liking to see to the women with impending motherhood than sewing up cuts and setting broken arms on bairns falling from trees.

With a deep sigh she glanced once more in the looking glass and headed downstairs.Craig was still speaking with Robin, but when Helena entered the great hall right after her, Robin’s attention was immediately taken up by his wife.Craig then turned to her and Helena and while he didn’t look at her the way Robin looked at his wife—which was fine with her—he did smile in her direction and stood as she grew closer to the table.

“Good evening, wife.”He drew out a chair for her and she sat.

“Husband,” she said.“I see ye are packed for yer trip tomorrow.”

“Aye.We will leave at first light.”

The tears that rushed to her eyes humiliated her.Luckily, Finn then asked Craig a question and she was able to turn her head and blink back the tears.This was ridiculous.If he saw that she was upset, he would most likely laugh at her, and she would never live it down.

The serving lasses arrived from the kitchen, carrying platters of venison, potted vegetables, fragrant meat pies, bread and cheese.‘Twas obvious Craig had recovered from his illness based on how much food he piled onto his trencher and then proceeded to shovel it down.

“Do ye ken how long ye will be gone?”She asked with what she hoped was an unconcerned tone.

Either he knew she was asking more than that, or he just wanted to tease her.“Why?Will ye miss me lass?”

The shuttered question in his eyes startled her for a moment, but she would not give him the satisfaction of believing she would, indeed, miss him.“Do no’ flatter yerself, husband, I merely am interested to ken how long I will have the bed to myself since ye take up so much room.And ye snore.”

He took a sip of ale.“As do ye.”

She inhaled sharply.“I doona snore!”

He laughed.“Aye, ye do.”

While she was attempting to calm herself, he leaned close to her.“Ye might enjoy the whole bed to yerself, but I ken ye will be missing my touch.”

She flipped her hair over her shoulder and sniffed.“I shall live without it.”

He began to say something else, but Robin called to him and they began another conversation.She pushed her food around and tried to pretend the big oaf leaving her was of no concern.She had her work, he had his.‘Twas just the way she liked it.

A few hours later, she sat in front of the looking glass in her shift and brushed her hair.The door opened and Craig stepped in.He walked up to her and took the brush from her hand.To her amazement, he began to pull the brush through her hair.“Ye have such silky hair, Lorena.”

She looked up at him in the looking glass.He stared back at her, the soft smile she’d learned meant he was looking forward to some bedsport.Aye she was as well.He had been right before when he’d said she would miss his touch.Indeed, she would.As well as his hard warm body to curl up with when she grew chilled during the night.

Craig placed the brush on the table and leaned over, moving his soft lips against her neck, then under her ear.“Come to bed,mo chridhe.‘Twill be a while before I can make love to ye again.”

She wanted so much to make a flip remark, but her insides were on fire and she couldn’t think of anything to say.She stood and took his outstretched hand.He led her to the bed and she sat on the edge, watching him as he removed his clothes.

He was all angles and muscle.Her fingers ached to touch his warm shoulder and run her hand down his chest to the dark hair surrounding his shaft.As she watched him, the member moved and continued to grow.

“Do ye like what ye see, lass?”

“Oh, aye.”

He climbed next to her and pulled the shift out from under her and over her head.His hand reached out and he slowly rubbed his thumb over her nipple, causing a slight moan to escape from her lips.

Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close and laid them both down.“I want to take our time.I want to keep warm while I’m out in the cold dark, thinking about ye and how much ye set me on fire.”

She moved her mouth up to his.“Ye set me on fire, too.”

With a groan, he covered her mouth with his and began the dance of lovers that would have to be a part of their memories when he was gone.