Chapter Fifteen #3
His hands wandered up from her waist, and he stroked a thumb over her nipple, finding it hard and so enticing. Saints! How he wanted to draw it deeply into his mouth.
Someone screeched. "M'lady!" Then the door slammed.
Jessie jerked her arms from around his neck and spun to face the closed door.
"Who was that?" she demanded.
"I think 'twas Flora," he said, though he hadn't truly seen the woman. He'd been too caught up in the kiss to care.
"Now she thinks I'm a strumpet, I'm certain."
"Not if you would marry me."
She glared at him, though 'twas not a fully serious glare, merely one that warned him to not bring up the subject. But he couldn't help it. Much as it might pain her to discuss the matter, her refusal to marry him pained him just as much.
∞∞∞
Torrin joined Dirk and the other men in the solar as they sipped whisky late one night.
In the two weeks since his injury, Torrin had made a lot of progress.
He was gaining strength every day and was able to stay up all day now.
His abdomen was still sore from his wounds but the stitches had been removed and the cuts were healed closed.
He knew 'twould take much longer to rebuild the strength of those muscles, but he'd already been working on it.
He'd even practiced with his sword a bit, though he knew Iain had gone easy on him.
"We're off in the morn," Isobel's brother, Chief Cyrus MacKenzie said, referring to him, his younger brother, and their men.
"Och. I wish you'd stay longer," Dirk said.
"I'll be back in the spring for the birth of my new nephew, or niece." Though the man looked like a dark, hardened warlord, he obviously had a soft spot for the wee ones.
"We'll look forward to that," Dirk said.
"I'm going to head south with Cyrus," Rebbie said.
"You are?" Dirk asked, his eyes widening. And Torrin knew 'twas because Rebbie had been at Dirk's side most every day for more than a year. And that they'd been friends for over a decade.
"I think I'll pay our friend, Lachlan, a visit. I haven't seen him since November."
Dirk nodded, a nostalgic half-smile upon his face. "I'd like to see Lachlan. He's probably a proud da by now."
"Indeed." Rebbie grinned. "I'm looking forward to seeing if he's capable of holding a wee newborn bairn in those big paws of his."
Dirk laughed and shook his head. "In addition to a son, I hope he has ten daughters so he has to worry about rogues like he used to be."
Rebbie snickered. "I'll tell him you said that."
"Aye. Also tell him I wish him the best of health and happiness."
Rebbie nodded.
"And as for you," Dirk said, giving his friend a pointed look. "I hope you find a fiery lass who steals your heart and shows you unending happiness."
Rebbie shook his head. "I don't ken whether to thank you or give you the evil eye."
Torrin and the other men laughed.
"You'll thank me." Dirk sipped his whisky. "Isobel is the absolute best thing that's ever happened to me. Sorry, Torrin."
Torrin held up his hand. "I'm glad you came upon her in that snowstorm and rescued her. You two are perfect for each other." And if he hadn't, Torrin would've never met Jessie. Now, he knew Jessie was his destiny and his life. He simply had to convince her of that.
"He's a good man. He doesn't hold bride-thievery against you," Rebbie said.
Dirk nodded and raised his glass to Torrin. "I thank you for that."
"Aye. Now if only you can convince Jessie to marry me, all will be perfect," Torrin said.
"I'm afraid you are the only one who can do that, my friend," Dirk said.
"Indeed." But he needed far more time in bed with her in order to do that, since she wasn't willing to marry him until she was with child.
They hadn't had any time alone because of his injury and, with so many people around, sneaking about the castle to spend the night together was difficult. Still, he must see her tonight.
"I'll travel to Dornie with Cyrus on his bìrlinn," Rebbie said. "Then hire one of his men to take me south to the port near Glasgow and travel overland toward Perth."
"I'll miss you, my friend," Dirk said. "I appreciate your help over these last several months."
"'Twas my pleasure. I'll probably come back to visit you in the spring. In the meantime, I'll send you a missive and let you know how Lachlan and Lady Angelique are doing."
"Aye. Good. We should get together every summer for a few weeks. Here or in Perth. We could travel by ship and bìrlinn."
"Sounds like a grand idea."
"But you have to get married first." Dirk grinned.
"What?" Rebbie's eyes rounded. "I'll not be getting married for a few more years, not until my da can truss me up like a wild boar and force some unsuspecting lass to marry me."
Dirk snickered. "Well, whoever she is, I hope she drives you mad."
After talking a short while longer, Torrin bid the other men goodnight. He needed to see Jessie. Was she in her room or elsewhere? He had to find out. Since no one else was about, he ventured down the corridor and knocked lightly at her door.
She opened it and smiled, hiding the rest of her body behind the door. That alone spiked his excitement.
"Can I come in?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
"Aye." She widened the door and he entered.
The candle on her bedside table revealed that she wore a thin white smock and naught else. Though it covered her body fully, he knew he could have it off her in an instant, revealing all her creamy skin and delicate curves.
"Don't give me that look, MacLeod," she said in mock warning.
He'd heard her say that before and knew it meant she was tempted. "What look?"
"That one." She pointed at him.
He grinned, remembering 'twas exactly what she'd said to him on the beach of Sango Bay before their first time.
"It means I want you," he murmured.
She dropped her gaze, looking demure of a sudden. "You're not well enough. I would hate for you to injure yourself further."
He shook his head and barred the door. "I'm well enough, if you'll… do some of the work."