Page 62 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Nay, you are not disgusting. He is. Do not allow him to get into that beautiful mind of yours. Allow me to hold you so we can get through this together. Can you promise me you won’t scream, lass?”
She didn’t know if she could contain it, but she had the odd feeling that if she didn’t stop, she would shake herself to death. Her continued trembling brought on a cold shivering that frightened her. It was Sloan Rankin or die.
Sloan said, “You’re shivering with cold. I promise not to hurt you, but I’m going to lift you up, settle you on my lap, and wrap my arms around you. Please don’t scream or they’ll return and that won’t be good for either of us.”
The cold inside her gripped deep, something she’d never felt. Oh, she’d shivered and trembled and shaken before, but this shuddering? This could kill her. There was a time when she would have allowed it, back on that day in the stables, but no more.
Eva made a new vow. Thinking of the bairns who’d been stolen away, of Magni who’d told her how frightened he’d been, her resolve changed to a commitment to herself. She had to trust Sloan.
She nodded. “I’ll agree.” If there was one thing she knew about Sloan Rankin, it was that he gave off heat like a giant hearth. She had to fight, or her captor would win. Never.
Sloan lifted her up and set her on his lap, and without thinking, she began to shove at him, but the blessed man didn’t stop her or drop her. Her hands held little force behind them, so she inflicted no pain. It was reactive because, in her heart, she couldn’t hurt Sloan.
“Well done. Don’t scream, Eva. I’ll not leave you alone.” His voice came out in such a warm tone that it wrapped around herand soothed her like a blanket. “Hush, and you’ll be warmed. I’m reaching around to pull you in close, so you’ll take my heat. I’ve got too much.”
She tensed, every piece of his body touching her so painful that she wished to shove him away. But in between the stabs of pain were sensations of heat, sudden gushes sweeping through her, flowing from his hands to every part of her.
An amazing thing happened—her tremors slowed.
Sloan spoke in her ear. “I’ll not walk away from you, Eva. I vow never to hurt you. Never to touch you without permission, without letting you know I’m near. You’re doing great and your tremors are slowing. I’ll get you there. I’m going to lower my head next to yours so my breath will warm you too. That’s all I’ll do.”
His warm breath brushed her ear, and she jerked away.
“Nay, trust me. You must trust me so we can escape. Once we’re gone, you can slap me all you like. Just not now. Come back, lass. You’re too far away in your mind.”
And for some odd reason, she finally gave in to all of Sloan’s ministrations. Leaning back against him, she sighed and sank into his warmth. Gave control to him, let hers go, soaked up his heat, his tenderness, the calmness of his soul overpowering her until her shaking slowed.
“Why did you follow me, Sloan? How did you know?” What would have happened to her if he hadn’t come along?
He chuckled, his hand rubbing her back lightly. “You don’t recall all the times I followed you when you were just a wee lass? The time you thought to follow us to Loch na Keal to swim and fish? I knew you were coming. I told Lennox and Taskill I forgot something, and sure enough, there you were on your pony trying to sneak out the back.”
She laughed. “I do remember. My pony wouldn’t fit through the door.”
His hand rubbed her neck. “Or the time you chased us back to Rankin land, running down the hill so fast that you were headed straight into the frigid water?”
“But you caught me. You’ve always been there for me, Sloan. Why?”
She felt his shrug against her shoulder. “I always knew what you were thinking, I guess. Your brother was too old, and Taskill was busy flirting with anything in a skirt.”
“I’m sorry I insulted you.”
“Nay, you did not insult me.”
“I didn’t like my brother telling me what to do.”
“Strong women have that tendency. You’re forgiven for any hurt you thought you caused me.”
“If we ever get out of here, could you court me secretly? Not tell my overbearing brother?” She had a sudden warmth inside just for Sloan Rankin. When she thought about how much he’d done for her, how much that meant to her, how he’d followed her here, putting himself at such risk for her.
And now, the tenderness he showed was something she wished to have in her life forever.
Forever and ever. She’d made a huge mistake rejecting this man, and she prayed he would forgive her folly.
“I would like that.” His hand reached up and cupped her cheek. “And I wish to tell you something else. I would never force you to do anything. And I will wait for you forever, if that’s what it takes.”
They sat in silence for a few more moments until her tremors stopped.
Completely.
