and he liked his coupling rough and fast. He was rarely gentle, but the women who took him to their bed knew that. They knew he paid well for his pleasure. But Moira was different.
“Sean often has night terrors,” Moira stated. Kyle frowned, not pleased about the sudden change in conversation. When he opened his mouth, Moira held up her hand. “Please. I’ve slept better in your bed, and even kneeling against the wall, than I have in years. I spent most nights sleeping on a trundle bed in Sean’s chamber to soothe him and to keep him from rousing the entire castle. Being aboard your ship is the first time in years that I’ve had no duties to worry about, no one else to tend to. I can just sleep. I don’t have to be in control of anything.”
Kyle nodded, understanding what she meant. He’d slept better lying beside Moira than he had since he sailed on his first ship. “I was honest the other night when I said I don’t know how to care for a woman. Not really. I know how to pleasure a woman, but not to minister to your needs beyond that. But you trust me. At least with your body. If you can trust me to bring you pleasure, even if it pushes you beyond what you think you can manage, then I also wish to ensure you have everything else you need.”
“You wish to take care of me?” Moira blinked owlishly.
“I do.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but I’d like you to know you can come to me for anything. Whether you need a new bar of soap, or you need to confess how you feel.” Kyle held his breath, expecting Moira to rebuke him, to throw his offer back at him. She slid her hands up his chest and around his neck as she attempted to inch closer to him. Her hip already pressed against his hardened rod.
“Kyle, I believe you can show me pleasure I never imagined possible. I admit I’m curious, even excited at the prospect. But I need you to accept that it will take me time to trust you with the rest of me. I’ve been played a fool too many times. It’s not that I never will. It’s not that you’re untrustworthy. I’m…”
“Scared?” Kyle provided. Moira nodded.
“I want to trust you. But I’m not ready to trust myself in making that decision. Do you trust me?”
“That’s a fair question, sweet one,” Kyle replied. “Perhaps a wee more than you trust me. But not entirely. Trust will come with time, as we get to know one another better and rely upon one another.”
“What could you rely on me for? I must rely on you for everything,” Moira noted.
“Aye. But can I rely on you not to pull any more stunts like the last few days? Can I rely on you not to stab me in my sleep? Can I rely on you to keep any confidences I share with you? You will be privy to meetings I have with Tomas. You will see maps and ledgers. Can I rely on you not to tell anyone what you see or hear?”
“Yes. Speaking out of turn could get you killed. I’m not interested in that happening. I’d rather it not,” Moira grinned.
“Because I haven’t bedded you enough? Because you know you’ll crave more and wish to have me at your disposal to satisfy your needs?” Kyle tickled her ribs.
“There is that. But I’d rather be here with you than with Dónal or Dermot,” Moira scowled until she realized what she’d said.
“Dermot? Dermot O’Malley? Why would you be with him? The MacDonnells and O’Malleys can’t stand one another.”
Moira sighed as her lips twisted. She’d said too much now to avoid explaining everything. It would be a test in trust to reveal to Kyle why she’d run away. But she wouldn’t tell him where she was headed. Not yet, at least.
“Dónal has never been willing to pay a reasonable dowry for me. For all he complains, he didn’t want me to leave. I’m the best servant he has ever had. But he believed Dermot would make a better ally than an enemy. I don’t know who else he’s plotting against, or how he might intend to cross Dermot, but he signed a betrothal agreement between the O’Malley and me. I learned of it three days before you attacked my clan’s ship.”
“And that’s why you were on it? Were you being delivered