her, was right. And yet, not. She wasn’t staying. Wasn’t of this time and would never be his.
“Athol hates me, and she wants you, so of course I have to hate her back.” She grinned up at him, and he laughed.
“Aye, I think ye may be right. And even though an alliance with her family would save me from clan war, I’ll not be doing what she wants. I have an heir. I dinna need a wife. I also have a bonny lass who’s warming my bed, so I’m quite content.”
“I don’t trust any of them. Keep your wits about you, Ben. They’re trouble. I can feel it.”
He loved that she didn’t shy away from telling him what she thought. Was not scared of his reaction, simply trusted that he would never hurt her, even if what she said could be cutting or worrying.
“I’ll be on my guard, lass. I promise ye that.”
She yawned. “I think I will go up to bed and get some rest. I’m sure I’ll feel better tomorrow.”
Ben leaned down and kissed her gently, he didn’t try and deepen the embrace, he wasn’t a mongrel, and his lass wasn’t feeling well, but still, tasting her again, having her pliant, sweet body against his left him wanting her with a savagery he’d never experienced before.
Mayhap he had finally lost his mind or another organ that he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to give away.
“Come,” he said, pulling her toward the castle. “I’ll take ye to your room, for tomorrow, I need ye well rested. I have a surprise for ye.”
Kenzie’s emerald eyes lit up and twinkled in the starlight. “What is it? You have to tell me.”
Ben laughed, pulling her closer to his side. Damn, he would never tire of seeing her smile. “Nay, lass, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow, and then all will be revealed.
Her pout made him pull her into a notch on the outer castle walls and kiss her. Deeper this time, with more intent than he intended, but with Kenzie he didn’t have any control. Was wont to lose it whenever around her. Maddening wench.
“Maybe you should tuck me in, my liege.” Her teasing grin made his cock twitch.
He shook his head, taking her hand and pulling her through the castle doors. “Nay, I may be known in your time as a hardened warrior, but even I will not take advantage of a woman who’s not feeling well. Ye need your sleep, lass, and even though I shall take ye up on the offer of tucking ye in, I will be leaving shortly thereafter.”
Kenzie shrugged. “Spoilsport.”
Ben didn’t know what the word meant, but he took a wild guess. “Tomorrow evening, lass, and I promise I’ll do more than tuck ye in.”
“Hmm.” She grinned, her hand sliding over the back of his kilt and across his ass. “I’m going to hold you to it.”
So would he.
Chapter 11
The following morning, Kenzie met Ben out the front of the keep. The horses were saddled and waiting, along with her Highlander who sat atop a mighty dark beast she’d not seen before.
“Wow, your horse is high. How many hands is he.”
Ben’s mouth gaped, and his eyes widened in alarm. “Ye have trews on, lass. Mayhap ye forgot ye skirt?”
Kenzie jumped up on her horse with the help of a stable hand and adjusted her seat. When the maid had told her this morning that she was to go riding, there was no way she was going to go in the monstrous gown the woman had laid out for her. Since Athol had said her gowns were old-fashioned and not appropriate, new gowns had magically appeared in her wardrobe. She smiled; no doubt it had been Ben who’d sent them to her.
She assumed they’d been Aline’s, and so she’d accepted the gifts, knowing that it had probably not been easy for Ben to let her use the dresses. Aline was a little smaller in the breast department than herself, so Kenzie had been wearing a woolen scarf with a lot of the dresses if only to give her some modesty. No one wanted to see her breasts pop out over the top.
“I haven’t forgotten it,” she said, grinning at his outraged face. She moved her mount closer to him and lifted his chin with her finger, shutting his mouth. “Do ye not like my trews, my liege?”
Ben’s eyes darkened with intent, and she could swear she heard a growl emanate from him. “Ye know I do.”