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“Nae need, lass. Ye’re my guest, under my protection.”
She didn’t respond, just gave him a frown. “Look. You don’t need to feel responsible for me, okay? You got us out of that mess in Stirling. You saved my life, and I’ll forever be grateful. But that doesn’t mean you owe me your protection or whatever.”
She was right, of course. But she didn’t know he’d lose his ability to breathe if anything happened to her. Knowing she was alive and well was more important than food and water.
“Aye. It does. In fact, I want ye to stay in this room. The way here was hard on yer back. Ye still need to heal.”
“What? Take your room?”
“Aye.”
“And”—she swallowed—“will you sleep here, too?”
“Nae. I’ll sleep in the great hall with the clan warriors. ’Tisna a bother, dinna fash. I’m used to sleeping whenever.”
“Where would I have slept if not here?”
“Probably with the maids, somewhere on a mattress on the floor. Let me take a fresh tunic, and I’ll leave ye.”
He took off the English tunic and walked shirtless to one of the chests in the room. He picked up a tunic and froze as he noticed her watching him. Without breaking the eye contact, she walked over to him. Her sweet scent brushed against him, and all his senses heightened. Her lashes trembled as their eyes locked.
Take me into your arms, her eyes begged. Kiss me…
Oh, he really wanted to. His body reacted before his mind could stop him. He took her into his arms. Her breasts pressed against him with each heavy breath she took.
Her lips were right there. Just reach down and taste their lush sweetness again, lose yerself in her scent. Cup her face and the feel of her smooth skin.
His bed was right there, too. The room had shrunk to the size of a box. How easy would it be to pick her up, take two big steps, and put her there on the mattress. To lie down next to her and undress her and worship her body.
His father’s words came to mind. “If ye’re wrong, we’ll lose everything.”
Giving in to his desires now would cloud his head. He’d be more likely to make a mistake and therefore endanger his mission.
He tensed his arms to stop from running them up her shoulders and neck and burying his fingers in her hair. He wanted to take her face between his palms and kiss her so hard she would forget her own name.
She put her hand on his chest, her palm burning his bare skin. He held his breath, unable to move. If he lifted a finger, his self-restraint would burst. The perfect seductress, she ran her hand up his chest, causing blood to flow to his cock. He cursed inwardly—such a simple gesture, and he was ready to go.
She reached his neck, where his wound pained him. Without touching it, she went up and cupped his face. Her lips were so close, and she reached up to kiss him.
He wanted to, so much. But if her lips touched his, he’d be lost. He gently removed her hand from his face, hating everything about rejecting her. He released her and stepped back.
“Ye should stay away from me, lass. I am nae right for ye.”
Amber’s eyes clouded with hurt. His heart clenching at seeing her like this, he picked up a fresh tunic and pulled it over his head.
“You’re unbelievable,” she hissed.
Like a coward, without looking at her, he left his bedchamber. He wouldn’t let his clan or his king down by giving in to the distraction of a beautiful woman. He’d stay focused and redeem himself, even if it meant losing Amber forever.
Chapter 21
“May I come in?” Amber asked.
Amy lay on her bed, and an old woman touched her belly. The bedroom was round and rather spacious. There was a narrow window with open shutters that let light in, and flames played in the fireplace. Chests stood around the room, as well as several chairs.
Amy looked up and beamed. “Hey! Yes, of course.”
Amber came inside and stood by the bed. A lavender canopy was suspended from the ceiling above it, and four posts stood at each corner of the bed.
