Page 29 of Bound to a Warrior
Mercy froze and slowly raised her head to look at Duncan, his dark eyes wide open.
“Whether you realize it or not, your body has yet to settle for the night. A twitch, a tuck, a turn. Your restlessness tells me you have much on your mind. What disturbs you?”
She couldn’t admit that she’d been thinking about him kissing her. That just wouldn’t do, though she could say,Concerns.
“What concerns?”
She should have known he’d probe.
Control.
Her mother’s reminder echoed in her head and she did as she had been taught. She turned the question on him. “Don’t you have concerns?”
His mouth moved closer to hers and her breath caught. Was he about to kiss her?
“What concerns could I possibly have when I have a beautiful woman in my bed, wrapped in my arms?”
Her sigh freed her breath and while disappointment gnawed at her, she had to admit she was glad she still had the kiss to look forward to.
She smiled. “Then I should think only of the handsome Highlander whose strong arms keep me safe and who rests contentedly beside me.”
“No better thought to fall asleep on.”
She yawned, turning her face away. “I shall sleep soundly now.” And she rested her head to his chest.
He whispered as his hand caressed her arm, “I will keep you safe and I am content sleeping beside you.”
She sighed enjoying his strong caress that helped alleviate the muscle ache in her arm. And she couldn’t help but say, “That feels so very good.”
“You feel good, so soft and touchable.”
She yawned again and rubbed her cheek to his chest. “And your chest is hard, but makes a good pillow.”
“You are welcome to rest on my chest any time.”
“There you go being chivalrous again,” she said, her eyes growing weary with sleep.
“For now,” he murmured.
“Yes, for now,” she agreed as her eyes closed and she drifted to sleep, though she thought she heard him add…
No, he didn’t say that and she certainly hadn’t agreed.
Had she?
Sleep intruded and reasoning dimmed, but still she wondered.
Had he said it?
Had she agreed?
Make no mistake, Mercy, I will make love to you.
Chapter 10
Duncan and Mercy woke early and agreed it was best not to delay, but to get an immediate start. Sustenance could wait a couple of hours, besides both admitted they weren’t hungry. An overcast sky followed them and the heavy mist that hugged the hilltops found its way to the low-lying areas, slowing their pace.
Silence was a necessity since they had to concentrate on their every step, which left Duncan quietly grumbling to himself. Though it wasn’t the weather that irritated him, it was that he couldn’t stop thinking about making love to Mercy. Forget the kiss, not that he didn’t want to kiss her, he simply wanted more. He wanted her naked in his arms, but not chained to him, and he wanted to make love to her.
