Page 49 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
“I didnae ignore it. Ye can see that Mrs. Bryant fixed me up right. But I need sleep, lass. And so do ye.” He pointed toward the chair. “Dinnae think I didnae gather that ye were up all night as well.”
“Says the half-naked, bleeding man?—”
He sighed and let her fuss over him, too tired to resist her demands.
She could ask me for anythin’ and I’d give it just to get closer to the bed…
“Come.”
Her demand left little room for argument, so he followed her around the bed and let her ease him onto the edge.
She lifted his leg and put his heel on her thigh before she untied his boots and tugged them off, her hands gentle but efficient. Her fingers brushed against his bare back as she knelt between his knees and moved to unfasten his belt. His eyes did not miss a single movement, and when she glanced up at him, his lips curled into a smirk despite his fatigue.
She eyed her surroundings before letting her eyes land on his thighs in front of her. He squeezed her sides gently before relaxing his legs.
“Tired?”
“Exhausted,” he said, that smirk still on his face.
“Aye, me too. Ryder?”
“He’s still outside the door,” he answered. “Ye can rest in the bed wit’ me, lass. I willnae bite—” He broke off. “I’ll be on me stomach anyway.”
Her eyes rose only slightly to his exposed abdomen and then met his once more. “I’ll need yer help for this,” she said, gripping the top hem of his trews more firmly.
He only grunted in response while they fought each other to get his trews off.
Almost naked in front of her, he now had the added challenge of not letting his desire for her show.
He cleared his throat as she used his knees to push herself to her feet and watched as she gathered the clothes pooled at his feet.
“I owe ye answers, lass,” he said, his voice low. “Just give me a moment.”
Lilith paused, her expression softening as she met his gaze. “I’ll be here when ye wake up,” she promised.
He felt the weight of her words settle over him like a blanket, and as his face hit the pillow, sleep claimed him before he could respond.
When he woke up, sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in warm light. He sat up abruptly, his hand instinctively going to his side. The bandages held firm, though his wound throbbed. His gaze flicked to the armchair, where Lilith sat reading a book, her legs tucked beneath her.
“Ye’re awake,” she said, closing the book and setting it aside. A smile tugged at her lips. “Ye snore, ye ken.”
“Do I now?” he replied, his voice still rough with sleep. He stretched, wincing slightly at the pull on his back. “How long was I out?”
“Long enough,” she teased, rising to her feet. “I had them bring up a bathtub for ye. Thought ye might appreciate it.”
Damon arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a teasing grin. “Are ye offerin’ to help me again, lass?”
Lilith flushed, her cheeks turning a deep shade of pink. “Hardly,” she shot back, her tone sharp but lacking heat. “But if ye need it, I suppose…”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I’ll manage, lass. Ye’d just get distracted anyway.”
She huffed, rolling her eyes as she turned toward the door. “I’ll leave ye to it, then. Try nae to drown.”
Damon watched her go, his grin fading as his thoughts turned inward. She’d been there when he needed her, unwavering in her concern. It was a side of her he hadn’t expected, and it left him feeling… something he couldn’t quite name.
After cleaning up, Damon dressed and joined Lilith downstairs. Together, they walked through the village, the bustle of daily life a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous night. Men and women who had avoided them the night before now greeted them warmly, their respect for their Laird and Lady evident in their smiles and bows.
“I told ye that ye wouldnae regret appointin’ Ryder as yer man-at-arms,” Lilith began as they strolled past a row of market stalls. “Honestly, that and perhaps what has happened in Kiel…”
