Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,87

always be like this for us. What we shared today is only part of the pleasure ye and I have yet to explore.”

His answer made the now-familiar warmth bloom again low in her stomach.

“If this is only part, I fear I may never let you leave our bed,” she said only half teasingly.

“Aye, ’twill be a problem,” he replied with a laugh, clutching her to him once again.

“Ach!” Duncan bounded to all fours, rolling her off with his abrupt movement. “Yer charmed beast stuck his cold nose in a place it should nae go.”

Anna chuckled as Trean wagged his tail and cocked his head from side to side.

“He is a wee menace,” Duncan muttered, his voice half-teasing. He sprawled against her, one leg across hers.

“You do not feel so menaced to me,” Anna replied, swaying her hips gently against his arousal. Duncan buried his face in her neck with a mock growl that ended in a yelp as Trean bounded on top, thrusting his muzzle between them. Duncan rolled away, hands flying to protect himself as the puppy leapt about excitedly.

“Ye wee devil!” Duncan shouted as he rolled to a sitting position, hands in his lap. “She dinnae need your protection from me.” He gave Anna an aggrieved look. She quickly bit back her laughter. “Square on my manhood. Has he no compassion?”

Anna cocked her head at him, considering. “Well, ’tis the most prominent part of you at the moment, my love—and most impressive.”

Duncan bent over, peering directly in the pup’s face. “Arrgh! Be a wee bit more careful, lad, or I shall banish ye to the kennel.”

Trean drew to a startled halt. With a hesitant glance at Duncan, he backed two steps onto his rumpled plaide. Anna dissolved into laughter as the pup loosed a healthy stream in the middle of the fabric and the scent of warm, wet wool drifted in the air.

Chapter 22

By the time they returned to the keep, Anna had rebraided her hair and recovered most of her wits. Her gaze kept locking with Duncan’s, re-sharing the passion he’d created with her. She had no comparison for the way he made her feel, and embarrassment edged her thoughts as she anxiously awaited their next encounter.

Heading to the stables, Anna resumed her work with Trean. She’d begun playing games of tug with him, teaching him to bite on command. At his gawky young age, he was more inclined to be silly than serious, and his attention was easily distracted. Sit, stay, and come were all quickly learned, though he seemed disinterested in repeating the command once perfected.

They also played tracking games. She rubbed raw meat on small pieces of leather and hid them. Each time, he smelled and tracked them, making a game of each one as he found it. As his abilities increased, so would the distances between the bait. Eventually, she would bury the lures, sharpening his skills and creating a more challenging game.

Proud of the wolf pup and the progress they’d made, she smiled and watched him work. A terrible thought crossed her mind as she remembered her promise to Duncan. After spending only a few weeks with Trean, she wasn’t sure she could kill him if unsuccessful in his training.

The orphaned pup had wormed his way into her heart. Pushing the dreadful thought from her mind, Anna’s determination to triumph multiplied.

After finishing their games, he followed her, always shadowing her, eager to please. She knew he considered her his pack, and slept at the foot of her bed at night, unwilling to be parted from her for long.

Anna turned her attention to the stable. Most of the horses had taken to Trean like the other dogs around the keep and did not fear him as a wolf. She visited Orion, enjoying his company. He now serviced the MacGregor mares as they came into season. Next spring would be fruitful. She would have plenty of new foals to deliver and eventually train. Enjoying her time at the stables, she only returned to the keep to wash for supper once the light of the day waned.

Anna blushed every time her eyes caught Duncan’s. With his knowing smile, he told her he, too, thought of their afternoon tryst. She thought about how many such encounters they would have in the future. His words of more to share and explore haunted and excited her.

Anna had a better idea of what to expect, though she almost wished for ignorance. What had passed between them made her crave