Page 61 of Highlander of Steel
“Ye daenae understand, Paisley, and I willnae explain meself to ye,” Killian said coolly. “The rescue party should be back tonight; I cannae concentrate on anythin’ but that until they’ve returned.”
Paisley’s eyes widened. “Fraser?”
“That’s the hope, aye,” Killian replied.
It wasn’t just Skye that his men had gone to retrieve from Castle Ainsley. And, thanks to the map Ailis had diligently drawn, they had a good chance of saving everyone they had set out to.
The encounter with Murdock in the woods had been the catalyst for altering Killian’s plans somewhat. After that meeting, Killian knew without a doubt that the Ainsleys would never give Fraser back. They would hold him hostage indefinitely as a taunt.
Still, the priority had been clear: Skye first, Fraser second.
With a sniff, Paisley shrugged. “All the more reason to go and put yer wife at ease, and yerself too.I’llstay to receive word, if and when it comes. The moment I have it, I’ll come and inform ye.” She paused, forcing a smile. “I’ll knock first.”
“I should let her rest,” Killian insisted, though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
“Fine. Do as ye please,” Paisley said tartly. “But remember that she isnae truly yers, isnae truly yer wife, until ye claim her. If someone comes to steal her away before ye do, then it means she’ll never be yers. Just somethin’ to think about down here, all alone.”
With that, she got up, raising her goblet to him, then turned and sauntered off. As she did, she tossed back over her shoulder, “I’ll be up in the guard tower, waitin’ for news anyway, if ye change yer mind.”
With that, she headed out, a little unsteady on her feet.
Killian’s hand clenched around his cup, frustration rising inside him like the licking flames of a bonfire.
Paisley had certainly given him something to think about. A nagging thought that, before the night was over, hewouldhaveto do something about.
24
The door to Ailis’s bedchamber opened with a creak.
“Honestly, does nay one knock in this castle? Were ye all taught to barge in as ye please?” she huffed, her hand flying to her chest in fright.
She had just stoked a hearty fire to warm herself through what was bound to be a lonely, cold night and had settled onto the chaise longue to stare at the flames for a while. A habit she had developed at Castle Ainsley to while away long hours of solitude.
Still, she wasn’t sorry that Paisley or Rachel had barged in; she had been hoping someone would, so she could ask for a medicinal tea to help her sleep.
The trouble was, it wasn’t the healer or the maid.
“Killian?” she gasped, grabbing a cushion to cover herself, for she wore nothing but the flimsy nightdress that the—apparently optimistic—seamstresses had made for her wedding night.
Aye, because he hasnae already seen ye naked,a voice taunted in the back of her head.
Killian hadn’t just looked either. He had savored her, enjoyed her, covered every bare inch of skin in searing kisses.
“Ye shouldnae be here,” she said thickly.
He closed the door and stepped toward her. “Where else would I be tonight?” He paused. “Or have ye reinstated yer rules? It wasnae clear after the priest pronounced us husband and wife.”
There was a darkness in his voice that made her tingle, her skin flushing as if she had leaned too close to the fire. And he had that look in his eyes, that gleam of desire that had triggered the events of last night and ended with his tongue between her thighs.
She hurriedly turned her gaze away, so she wouldn’t be drawn in by the sight and memory of him.
“That kiss was just to make our marriage official.” She could hear the shift in her tone, the huskiness of longing. “Me rules havenae changed.”
“So, I should stay far away from ye?” he asked.
Nay. Come closer. I need ye closer.
“Aye, ye should,” she replied instead. “What news do ye have of Skye? Has Peter come back yet?”
