“Are you all right?” She cupped his face in her hands, searched his gaze.
“I’m fine, Ella.” He pushed her hands away, heaved up, slapped his sides and eyed the trail up ahead.
“You were no’ breathing.” She stepped in front of him, pressed one hand to his chest, the solid beat making her own steady a little more. “From this moment forth, you will always look where you’re riding.” Whispered words, and not nearly strong enough to ensure she’d compelled her request of him. “Please, will you do as I say?”
“I always watch the trail when riding, unless I’m arguing with a lass who’s determined to do herself harm.”
“I have done no harm to myself, while you clearly have, and this isnae the time for a fight.” Her horse munched on the long grass growing on one side of the trail, while his steed had ridden off to goodness knows where. “I cannae hear them. Can you?”
The wind whistled through the trees and an owl hooted in the dark. The leaves of the trees rustled and Duncan’s breath heaved in and out.
“Nay, but I’ll catch them up all the same.” He stormed toward her horse, grasped the dangling reins and mounted. Hand thrust out, he gritted his teeth. “I cannae leave you here. Come. We’ll ride together since you’ve now left me with no other choice.”
“I’ve left you with no choice?” Outraged, she slapped his hand away, hoisted herself up onto her mount in front of him, snagged the reins from his hands and slammed her heels into her animal’s flanks. “Your horse deserted you. Hold tight. If you fall again, then this time I’ll no’ return for you.”
“I much prefer this whisper of yours to your usual aggravating tone. Have I mentioned that?” With one arm wrapped around her waist, he nipped her ear. Actually nipped her ear. Naught more infuriated her.
“Keep your teeth to yourself, and my usual tone isnae aggravating.”
“It surely is.” He nipped her ear again.
“Would you stop that.” She would have slapped him again only she needed to hold tight to her horse. Racing along the darkened trail through the ever-thickening forest with the most frustrating man she’d ever met at her back, she galloped as fast as the night and the thinning trail would allow. “You are one very annoying man.”
“And you’re one very incessantly annoying woman. I noticed you’re also wearing lad’s clothing again. Do you ever wear a gown as a woman does?”
“You said I suited lad’s clothing when we met at William’s tavern.”
“I lied. I prefer my women clothed as women.”
“And exactly how many women do you have?”
“I’ve lost count.” A snort in her ear, his breath as hot as the heated wall of his body.
“So I take it you no longer wish to meet me on the first of each month?”
“Did we make such an arrangement?” His grip around her waist tightened.
“I didnae compel you to forget that, or the entire conversation we had. All I asked was that you considered me an annoyance and one you never wished to lay eyes upon again.”
“You compelled me to think what I currently think about you?”
“Of course.” She shot him a big smile. “Why do you think you hate me so much?”
“Your voice gains in strength. It isnae quite as raspy.”
“My voice always rises when anger takes me.” Such a shame it still hadn’t risen enough to compel him yet. She thundered on down the trail, pine trees thick either side and the damp scent of the earth heavy in the air. “My compelling tone will return afore too long and when it does, I intend to compel you to forget me entirely. That would be most helpful.”
“Please do so. Naught would I appreciate more.”
“Good. Then ’twill be done.”
“Good. I look forward to it.” He nipped her ear again. “You might be feisty, but you’re also tasty. Ella?” He said her name in a questioning whisper as he smoothed his hands over her hips and along her upper thighs. He splayed his fingers wide and rested his palms there. “I apologize. I’ve spoken to you most rudely.”
“Pardon?”
“I apologize, for demanding you return to the village, for falling from my horse and for worrying you. Yelling at you too. And telling you I look forward to you compelling me to forget you. I also like you clothed just the way you are.”
“That is a lot of apologizing.”
“Do you forgive me?” He nuzzled her neck and this time nipped the sensitive skin where her shoulder and neck met.
“Nay.”
“I dinnae know why I’m touching you like this, or why the urge to keep doing so remains so strong, but you smell so sweet.” He breathed deep, his nose tickling her skin. “Like vanilla and fresh air.”
“I always add vanilla to my bathwater.” Heat flushed her cheeks. Ugh, why had she told him that? “Ignore my babbling.”