Page 71 of Keepers of the Highland Crown
She rested her full weight on the boulder while clutching his dry blanket to her breast as he removed the linen tunic. The muscles ripped across his torso like the waves in the river beyond, a force of nature all their own. What was the word he had used? Delicious; aye,completely. Trenches on his hips deeper than those upon the shores near them came into view leading to his arousal which appeared when he shrugged off thebraise and chausse. If only they were alone! Her thought seemed to have summoned the reality of where they were when she heard the Northman holler from beyond.
“How fares it there, my lady?”
“Very well, Lord Kolson, we will be only a moment more!”
Callum widened his stance. “My lady?”
“Hmmm?” Her eyes remain fixated on his loins. Absolutely delicious…
“I require the blanket.”
Her eyes dashed to his. By all above, what must he think of her gawking at him? Lover indeed, ha! She behaved like she had never seen a naked Scotsman before. “Oh, pardon.” She thrust the blanket at him. “Here.”
Re-direct the topic.Or she was about to hike up this blanket to her thighs and they would never emerge from this hiding place. “Callum?”
“Aye?”
“How did you know the kiss of life for me after the river?” she wondered out loud.
“The Templars.”
“Templars?”
“Aye, one of them I spoke with once told me of a time while he was upon the crusades he had heard about such a feat.”
“Most intriguing.” She ran her fingers through her damp tresses. “Abbess would most certainly care to hear of such a ‘feat’ as well.”
He nodded while he began draping the woolen over his shoulder then spun it about his narrow waist, the fabric grazing his knees. Once done securing it with a strap at his middle, he raised his arms. “Considerations upon the attire, my lady?”
She crossed her arms under her breasts. “Lovely.”
“It appears almost a gown or skirt.” He looked down at his calves showing dusted with dark hair.
“Aye.” She cocked her head to the side. “However, there is something rather unique about it. Seems to fit you, my Scotsman.”
“Certainly offers an ease in movement,” he agreed then offered his hand. “Come, let us see about the fire and a rest for you.”
A Scotsman draped in woolen patterned cloth while nude beneath; aye, completely delicious!
Chapter 37
Callum blinked several times. The sky was clearer overhead with brushes by vermillion upon the remaining clouds as the sun was preparing to set. The effect cast a unique glow over the faces present. Shite, how long had he slept?
After having decided to let Nella rest, a short while before riding onward toward the abbey, he had meant to close his eyes for only a moment. Glancing about, he discovered Kameron over saddling the horses while Sir Brayden held busy gathering their clothes off the branches, which must have been dry. He had dozed for a long while; the reason why lay nestled tenderly in his embrace. Nella. She had still been chilled so they had taken refuge under another blanket with him tucking her close to his body heat like in Dundee.
Had having her close and safe caused him to relax? Aye. It was also the reason for the way the final traveler looked at him. The Northman. He sat upon a stump with his sword across his knees, working the sharpening stone down the blade – and staring at him with a dark glare.
Hhmmm, Nella purred, tucking closer while she slept peacefully. Callum tightened his arms about her. “Northman, make nae mistake upon the matter,” Callum snarled, “the lady is withme.”
“Perhaps for now, Scotsman; however, ladies are the same as seasons.” Holger shrugged his shoulders. “Theychange. ’Tis their minds which change the most of all, make no mistake uponthat. When the lady discovers what a bore you are back at court, she will thirst for the adventure I have seen light up her gaze at each turn we’ve encountered.”
Shite. Was the Northman right? Nella had been a force of nature at each challenge. Thriving on them all. Right up to the one which had almost claimed her life when she jumped the river. Would she be content with him in Stirling? The daily tasks of captain at times were tedious at best.
Holger seemed to smell doubt and punched his cause harder than any fist into Callum’s gut. “In Dundee, she was most adamant to find me. To saveme. Even placing herself at grave risk. Was she not?”
“She was,” Nella’s angry voice rose up before her eyes popped open. He must have missed her breathing changing as she awoke with Holger’s ominous words looming over like a dark prophecy. “Lord Kolson, I would have done the same foranyother.”
“That is just it, my lady; ’twas me, not ‘any other’.” Holger gave a chuckle to stand. “I must make use of the trees before we take our leave.”
