Part 46 (1/2)

”Don't worry about it,” she said, rolling away from him and leaning on her elbow. She clutched the sheet tightly to her breast. His fingers trailed absently down her bare back, tracing a pattern. She shuddered. ”I can handle Carlisle.” It would never come to that, but no use telling him that. She would never marry Carlisle.

He gripped her arm and pulled her onto her back. ”What are you talking about?”

”I'll hide a vial of chicken blood beneath my pillow and I'll cry out when he ruts on me, as if I'm in great pain. When it's over, I'll open the vial beneath me.”

The way he stared at her-as if she were speaking another language-stoked her growing anger.

”And if I should bear a redheaded child? Well, what matter? It'll be too late by then, eh?”

He sat, his face darkening with anger. ”Fayth-”

”Don't touch me!”

He reached for her, but she moved away, gathering the sheets closer about her. She saw the blood on the sheets. Her blood, evidence of what she had given him. Of what she'd trusted him with.

”You would let Carlisle rut on you? After what we did?”

He sounded angry! She threw a pillow at his head. ”You fool! Do you think I'll let him put his head between my legs? Do you think I will scream and cry for more? He'll not be pleased with me! I promise that!”

She struggled to get off the bed, but he caught her about the waist, easily stopping her and dragging her back. He held her tightly, her back pressed against his chest and belly. She tried to pry his hands loose, but he held her fast, his cheek against hers.

”Listen to me,” he said sternly. ”You're not going to Carlisle. There will be no trade.”

She went limp, staring blankly into the gray light.

”I thought you understood,” he said, turning his face so his warm breath caressed her neck and his whiskers sc.r.a.ped her skin. ”I would not have done this if I meant to give you up.”

”But Gealach... what about Gealach?”

He sighed deeply, his face buried in the juncture between her shoulder and neck. ”I don't know.”

She shook her head slowly, disbelieving. ”But it is... you love this place. You can't just give it up, not without a fight!”

He shushed her, his mouth warm against her skin. She s.h.i.+vered, her body rising again, quivering inside. How could she want him again, so soon? She'd thought once she'd lain with him, it would be over, the longing. But here it was, sharp and urgent, ripe with the knowledge of how well he could a.s.suage it.

”You have my protection until I can see you to safety.” His arms wrapped tightly about her waist. ”I'll take you to Rob and Caroline. There, you'll be safest-”

”I can't go to Caroline,” she whispered. ”She'll never trust me again... and I cannot live like that.”

”I'll speak for you. I'll explain to her what happened.”

Fayth let out a breath of disbelief. ”You'd do that?” She wanted to see his face, but he held her so firmly she couldn't turn.

”Aye.”

Fayth contemplated this gift in silence. He offered her protection, reconciliation with her sister. But he did not offer himself or marriage. Fayth found she did not want to leave Gealach, not yet. But she would not tell him that.

One of his hands slid up to cup her breast, toying lazily with the nipple. Her eyes fluttered shut and she let her head fall back against his shoulder. His mouth moved to her neck, sucking, licking. No, she didn't want to leave. Not yet. His hand burrowed beneath the sheet, sliding over her belly, between her thighs.

Perhaps now that things had changed between them he would help her find Mona. He'd offered to reconcile her with Caroline, surely he would give her this. And in return she would help him keep Gealach. Yes, she thought, her body loosening under his explorations, things were finally going her way.