Highlander's Rebellious Love Page 8

  Having rested her head on his chest and finding it to her liking, she laid her head there once again and settled comfortably against him.

  “Patience.”

  She looked up and his lips came down on hers in a soft, tentative kiss, as if he was letting her get to know him and she favored the pleasant introduction, and instinctively returned his gentleness in kind. After a few moments, his kiss turned more ardent and she found she welcomed it. And as it grew, turned more urgent, his tongue slipped into her mouth and her own tongue greeted his eagerly.

  Reluctantly, Hunter eased the kiss to an end. If he did not, he would not be able to stop himself from making love to her. He gave her lips one last gentle kiss. “I am going to kiss you good-night like that every night for the rest of our lives.”

  Patience stared at him, keeping her lips locked tight, for if she did not the words on her tongue would slip out. Then we will never sleep and we will have a gaggle of children. She blamed it all on her exhaustion. Tomorrow, after she was well-rested, she would not be so vulnerable to his charm. She would not ache for him to kiss her again. She would not find his arms so comfortable, his muscled chest so inviting. Tomorrow she would have her wits about her again.

  She no soon as laid her head on his chest, then she was asleep.

  Hunter, however, found sleep more elusive. He had taken advantage of her fatigue and kissed her, wanting her to become more comfortable with him, wanting her to see that she would enjoy his kisses. He had enjoyed every kiss he had ever shared with a woman and expected no difference with Patience. But it had been different... very different.

  Naturally, he had grown aroused, though faster than he usually did, but never had he felt a jolt to his gut like he had with Patience or a grip to his heart that sent it pounding unmercifully. It was almost as if she had reached inside and claimed him, the feelings had been so intense. His heart still pounded madly and his gut was still recovering from the powerful jolt. And it was some time before he fell asleep, still thinking of Patience.

  Chapter Nine

  Patience woke when it was still dark and though comfortable in Hunter’s arms, felt the need for distance. She was not used to sleeping or waking with another beside her. She was a restless sleeper, often waking throughout the night to sit by the fire in her bedchamber and think before returning to bed and a few more hours of sleep. It was her way, it suited her, and she had no want to change it. Now married, though, things would change and that unsettled her.

  She maneuvered her way out of Hunter’s arms without disturbing him and left him sleeping to go find Edward. She and Edward had discussed the possibility of sending two warriors home to fetch more warriors in case they would be needed and to bring much needed supplies for the McFarden village. It would take two weeks to reach home, though less if they kept a fast pace and another two weeks to return here. She hoped to be on her way home well before then, though if there was a possibility of discovering the Dark Dragon’s lair, it might be even longer before she returned home.

  Heather was foremost in her mind. She intended to rescue her sister even if it meant storming the Dark Dragon’s lair, another reason to have more troops in the vicinity. Then, of course, they had to watch out for Greer. A man as angry as him could erupt at any time and do something very foolish.

  There was much on her mind this morning, including the kiss, which she had been trying to ignore, but that was impossible. If she thought it would be different today when she woke, she was sadly mistaken. The memory stirred her flesh every time she recalled the feel of his lips on hers. She had never thought she would respond to him so easily, so willingly or that she would enjoy his kiss so immensely. There had been quick stolen kisses with lads when she was young that meant nothing and left her feeling nothing. Then there had been the son of a warrior her da had thought would make a good match for her and while he had seemed pleasing enough, he had made a fatal mistake. He had grabbed her when they were alone and kissed her, if it could be called a kiss after experiencing Hunter’s kiss. She had stomped on his foot hard, kneed him in the groin, and delivered a blow to his jaw that had sent him reeling.

  After he had told her da that they would not make a good match, he had left most hastily. Her da had said nothing to her and had not suggested another warrior as a possible husband, though she had later found out from one of her warriors that her da had questioned the warrior about the bruise on his face and after lies and accusations had been tossed about and a threat that her da would summon Patience to hear her side, the warrior confessed his folly. Her da had ordered the warrior gone and to never return or he would suffer far worse consequences than what Patience had bestowed upon him.

  Her heart suddenly ached with the memory of her family. She missed her da and missed her sisters terribly. They had shared so much together and now with Emma married to Rogan, and she to Hunter, nothing would be the same again.

  She pushed the troubling thought from her mind and hurried on her way, eager to speak with Edward and eager to take her leave.

  ~~~

  Hunter watched his wife talking with two warriors and Edward. He had been surprised when he had woken to find her gone. How she had slipped away without him realizing it, puzzled him. Ever since he was young, he had learned to sleep lightly thanks to his brothers and their often painful pranks. He learned early on that Greer liked inflicting pain and Rab just went along with him, thinking it amusing. It was not until he got older, stronger, and wiser did it stop and that was because he had treated Greer to a taste of his own pranks and a few good beating afterwards. Greer and he had always been at odds, but then Greer was at odds with most everyone, and that included their father.

  He chased the disturbing thought away and approached his wife. Memory of last night’s kiss shot through his mind and he had to fight to control the arousal it brought with it. Naturally, some kisses proved better than others, but last night’s kiss astounded him. No kiss had ever impacted him the way it had with Patience.

  His wife waved him over when she saw that he approached, and he pushed the memory away and kept his thoughts clear so that his arousal would continue to fade.

  “I am sending two warriors home to return with a larger troop and needed supplies for the village. I want them aware of our destination once we leave here. In case a problem should arise for us, they would know where to search. Can you detail where we are headed?”

  Hunter nodded, crouched down, reached for a stick, breaking it in half, and began drawing in the dirt as he explained. The two warriors were quick to join him, pointing and asking questions. Once it was done, both warriors took their leave.

  Hunter turned to Patience. “I would prefer to wake with you in my arms in the morning.”

  It was becoming a common occurrence for her to hold back her response to him and think on it. Her first thought had been to tell him that she would prefer to sleep alone, so how could they compromise. But another thought had quickly followed and that was that she actually enjoyed being wrapped in his arms and she also enjoyed the way his now familiar scent drifted around her.

  Instead, she said, “I am restless when I wake.”

  He reached out and stroked her cheek gently. “I could ease that restlessness.”

  His tender touch instantly sent gooseflesh rushing over her. “I doubt that,” she snapped annoyed that her body had sparked to his touch.

  “A challenge,” he said his smile spreading, “I love a challenge.”

  “I am sure you are good at them, but we have no time for this,” she argued. “Your brother, no doubt, has plans for us and I would prefer not to make it easy for him to find us.”

  The mention of Greer melted Hunter’s smile. “You are right. We need to be on our way and I would caution that we do not linger at the McCuil croft, for Greer has many eyes and ears about.”

  His warning set them both into action and within twenty minutes the small troop was taking their leave from the McFarden village.

  It was a lov
ely spring day with a light breeze and a strong sun. The Macinnes warriors remained alert to their surroundings and a scout rode ahead and one rode behind to make certain no one surprised them.

  Hunter rode up beside his wife after having ridden beside his mother for a few miles. Beast remained by Una, trotting alongside her horse, though taking his leave now and again to explore along the tail, and to happily return and resume his trot when done.

  “Your mum does not tire, does she?” Patience asked with concern.

  “No,” he said with a smile, “she may be petite, but she is resilient.”

  Patience was eager for information, so she asked, “Does the Dark Dragon protect the McCuil croft?”

  “Most believe so, which is why no one bothers or threatens them.”

  “Has he been seen there?”

  “You do not know much about the Dark Dragon, do you?”

  “Only his reputation as a ruthless warrior,” Patience admitted, “though I would like to learn more.”

  “Do you know that few have seen his face? That he wears a helmet into battle, only his eyes and mouth revealed?”

  “I did not know that. Why does he hide?”

  “Some believe he is badly scarred and wants no one to look upon him. Others say his evil ways have turned him so ugly that no one could bear to look upon him. It is said the King, himself, has not laid eyes on him. ”

  “And what do you think?”

  “I think a lot of it is gossip and nonsense produced by fear.”

  “But gossip always has root somewhere,” Patience argued.

  “More like a single seed that sprouts and grows out of control until it completely devours the tiny speck that gave it birth.”

  Patience nodded, agreeing with him, though wondered if that pertained to Hunter as well. Had gossip run so rampant about his exploits with women that his true nature had been devoured by it? If that was so, who truly was he? The thought had her more curious than ever about her husband.

  “Are you sure we will make it to the croft before nightfall?” she asked.

  “Barring any surprises.”

  “You expect Greer to attempt an attack?”

  “I cannot say, since there is, and never has been, any rhythm or reason to Greer’s actions. When his anger sparks, there is no telling what he will do, which could prove deadly for all concerned.”

  Hunter was right, anger could turn a minor skirmish into a major war, and in the end both sides would lose, even though victory would be claimed. Patience wanted to avoid that, though she worried that with Greer’s volatile temper that might prove impossible.

  “I enjoyed the kiss we shared last night and look forward to kissing you often.”

  She found his tactic of suddenly changing subjects to catch her off guard, amusing. And she smiled, which she found she was doing more often since meeting Hunter. Smiles and laughter was something she had once shared frequently with her sisters... until Heather had been abducted. Guilt rose up to grip at her heart. How could she smile or even laugh when Heather was prisoner of the Dark Dragon?

  While her heart ached for her sister, she would not let her sorrow show. She did not want it to be taken as weakness and used against her. She would remain a stalwart warrior, and she would rescue her sister, of that she was certain.

  “You take time to answer me. You did not enjoy it?”

  She kept her smile strong. “I was taking time to compare it.”

  “Good, for there is no one who kisses as well as I do, and you will realize how lucky you are to have me as a husband.”

  Patience laughed. “You are a boastful one.”

  He drew his head back as if affronted, though the teasing glint in his blue eyes told her otherwise. “I but tell the truth. And has not your comparison confirmed that?”

  “I also speak the truth and admit that your kiss was more favorable than others.”

  “It is good we both speak the truth to each other, for it will make our marriage stronger. So, I will speak the truth again when I tell you that your kiss was more favorable to me than others.”

  “I am pleased to know that, especially since you have kissed scores of women.”

  “Have you not kissed many men?” he asked the question he had wanted an answer to since she had admitted that he had not been the first to kiss her.

  “I am not sure if I should be insulted that you think me a woman who would be so free with her kisses or that you maneuvered me to the question you wanted to ask all along.”

  “You are much too perceptive. I will have to—”

  “Be direct and say what you will to me, for I intend to do so with you.”

  “How many men have you kissed?” he asked irritated that his words were edged with annoyance.

  Patience answered honestly. “I do not know if pecks on the lips could be considered kisses, but I experienced a few of those when I was young and the lads I would practice my sword fighting with began to look at me differently. The only other kiss I ever experienced...” She shook her head, and then went on to explain what happened with the warrior whose kiss had been anything but pleasant.

  Hunter laughed, though anger stirred beneath his humor. Patience may not have known it, but that warrior had more in mind than just stealing a kiss.

  “I must admit I was curious to see how a kiss would feel, but he had been a fool to even think I would let it go any further, or that he would be able to force me. Practicing on the sword field with the lads had given me a keen insight to a man’s anatomy and what parts were most vulnerable.”

  He should have known she was aware of what the situation might have brought, but did she realize the same tactic might not always fit the situation? “You may not always be able to reach those parts.”

  “I am not a fool,” Patience said with a tilt of her chin. “I have learned other ways to disarm a man and have had practice doing so.”

  “Other men have tried to force themselves on you?’

  Patience was surprised by the sudden anger in his voice, but then he had always charmed women. There were some men who knew nothing of charm and others who only knew how to take.

  “They learned their mistakes soon enough,” she assured him.

  After a moment of silence, and having turned his eyes on the road, he said, “Patience.”

  She turned to him and waited and almost jumped when he snapped his head around.

  “No man will ever bother you now that you are married to me and if one dared to try, I would dispatch him to hell where he belongs.”

  Patience was taken aback by the fierce anger in his voice and the smoldering anger in his eyes. It was unexpected, though if his brothers possessed angry streaks, so then why not him? It seemed there was much she did not know about her husband, but it would be wise of her to find out.

  Conversation ceased for a while between Patience and Hunter, each appearing lost in their individual thoughts. It was Hunter who finally broke the silence.

  “How is your arm?” he asked.

  She saw no reason to lie to him. “It pains now and again and reminds me it is still healing when I brush against it. There is naught to be done for it except to give it time.”

  “You have healing skills too?” he asked surprised.

  Patience laughed, shaking her head. “Not me, my sister Emma, though she taught me some fundamental care for injures associated with battle.”

  “I recall hearing that one of the Macinnes sisters was well versed in healing ways.”

  “Emma is the knowledgeable one between the three of us. She learns all she can about whatever she can. She would worry me near to death when she would take off into the woods on her own. She would not return for hours and when she did it was with a basketful plus an armful of foliage. And then there is the way she senses the soil, knowing when it is lacking, hungry, or ripe for planting. She is amazing.”

  “You envy her?”

  Patience laughed and shook her head. “There is no envy between my sisters
and me, only admiration and love. We are the same, yet we are different, if you can understand that.” She did not give him a chance to respond. She did what he had the habit of doing, she abruptly changed the subject. “With so few having seen the Dark Dragon that would mean he could visit the McCuil croft and no one would know it was him.”

  Hunter found Patience an interesting woman. She was intelligent, perceptive, a skilled warrior, and fiercely independent. She did what had to be done without much complaint, and she was not only loyal to her clan, she cared about them. She was, in many ways, unique.

  “The question would be... why would he? Why risk exposing his identity?”

  “To see those he cares about.”

  Hunter laughed. “The Dark Dragon care? Do you truly believe that a man who could do the horrendous things that has been said about him... would care?”

  A knot twisted tight in Patience’s stomach. “If I do not believe that, then there is no hope for my sister.”

  Hunter felt a punch to his gut and quickly reached out to her, laying is hand on her arm and giving it a gentle squeeze. “My tongue can be foolish at times. There is hope for your sister as long as you keep it strong in your heart. We will find her and all will be well.”

  His touch was not only comforting, but so were his words. That he made it known that he would join her in the search for her sister restored some hope in her. How was it that this man, a relative stranger, affected her so? She was never one to lose her thoughts over a man, but then perhaps she had never had one she wished to lose her thoughts over.

  “We will see this done, Patience, you have my word on it.”

  One’s word was not given lightly, at least not by an honorable man. Some men gave their word without ever having any intention of keeping it. And while she did not know Hunter well, the way he protected and cared for his mum said much about him.

  He gave her arm another reassuring squeeze before removing his hand, and she caught a flare of determination in his blue eyes.