Page 36 of My Brave Highlander

It didn't matter.

"Go to sleep," he said in a low but firm tone, even though she already was.

She turned over and her breathing deepened.

Saints! That was one time he wished she'd done the opposite of what he said. The sensual feel of her lips was now burned onto his.

Nay. He couldn't have her. He couldn't kiss her. She belonged to another man.

She didn't move and seemed fully asleep now.

He barred the door again and placed a heavy chair before it to hopefully prevent her from walking outside and freezing her arse off while he slept. At least, she'd wake him up if she slid the chair away from the door.

But, given his state of heightened arousal, he was likely to get no more sleep this night. Determined to try, he lay down on the bedroll. He couldn't forget how perfect she'd felt in his arms. His instincts had kicked in and it was almost as if he'd captured a lass for his very own. How he wanted to carry her off to a private chamber and show her what her kisses did to him.

But since she was asleep, she likely wouldn't even remember the incident.

∞∞∞

Dirk saddled his horse the next morn outside Lewis MacLeod's byre while George saddled Rebbie's horse nearby. Weak sunlight crept over the mountains.

"And how did everything go last night?" Rebbie asked with a cheerful smile. "You look like you got little sleep."

"Very well." Dirk knew what Rebbie was digging for, but Dirk would reveal naught to him about the sensual torture he'd endured.

"Very, very well?" Rebbie asked in a suggestive tone.

Dirk glared at his friend. "Naught happened, if that's what you're wondering." Naught of importance anyway. Certainly nothing she would remember. But the way she'd kissed his neck, and the brush of her lips against his would haunt him. "She slept in the bed and I slept on my bedroll before the hearth."

Rebbie chuckled. "As I expected. You're the prince of courtesy and honor when it comes to her."

"When have I not been courteous and honorable with any lady?"

"I can think of one time in recent months." Rebbie grinned wickedly. "Surely you remember Lady Neilina."

"Must you bring her up? I was helping Lachlan. He had an unethical number of conniving females chasing after him. Aside from that, I'm a man like any other. I'm sure you would've volunteered for the role with Neilina if you were taller and had light hair."

Rebbie frowned. "Can I help it I'm not a giant?"

Dirk snorted. Although Rebbie was about six feet in height, he was still slightly shorter than Dirk or Lachlan. 'Twas one of the few things Dirk had found to tease him about. Generally, he was impervious.

"I see what you're doing," Rebbie said. "Trying to change the subject."

Dirk shrugged, hoping Rebbie would get bored. "There's naught to talk about."

"Did she knee you in the groin this time?"

"Nay, thank the saints. But she told me she walks in her sleep. That's why she fell on me the other morn."

"I see." Rebbie scratched the dark stubble on his chin. "Hmm… I'm sure you were wishing she'd accidentally sleep-walk to your bedroll and crawl in."

"Well, that didn't happen, so you can stop speculating."

"A pity. That could've made a cold winter's night far hotter."

Dirk shook his head. "Your mind never leaves the gutter, does it?"

"Rarely. I'm simply enjoying watching you get all tangled up over a woman for the first time."