His words touched her heart and his heavenly hold made her crave more. “Touch me, but be careful.”
“I’ll take the utmost care.” He cupped her breasts through her thin cotton shift, lifted them higher until the upper swells were fully exposed then swept his tongue across each rise.
Sweet heaven. His touch was glorious and made her want so much more. She arched into him and heat sizzled under her skin in a swift flare she couldn’t contain. Nay. She wouldn’t burn him. She shoved him back, rolled free and scrambled out of the bed. A bolt of pain speared through her. Moving away from him hurt, as if her very soul had been wrenched away from his. “I’m sorry, Finlay.”
“No, this is my fault. Clearly I didn’t take enough care.” He was out of the bed in an instant and crouching in front of her, his thumb moving in a slow circle over the mark she’d given him.
Finlay mentally berated himself. The thought of hurting Arabel in any way pained him.
“Is there still heat coming from me?” She shoved up a hand. “And stay right where you are while you check.”
“There is heat but you haven’t burnt me, and you won’t.” The last thing he wanted to do was make her feel uneasy, not when she was his to care for. “You are the first fire-wielder to mate with a shifter and I agree that makes things difficult, but perhaps we’ve been bound together for a greater purpose. Certainly I can handle a higher degree of your heat as none other can.”
“You cannae handle a full blast. Please, step aside.” He moved and she nodded her thanks. “Where there’s heat, there is fire.” She dunked her hands into the pitcher of cold water on the side table and steam plumed. “See, heat. Fire is just a blink or two away.”
“And when there’s a mated bond, there are two souls entwined and two people who can’t live without each other. You are the only woman I will ever live for, the only one who’ll make my life complete.”
“I—” She gaped at his bare legs. “When did you take your kilt off?”
“During the night. I got hot, and my shirt covers me adequately, not that I have any issue with being unclothed before you. I was nude in the pool last night.”
“The waters were dark and you well know that.” She tossed him his bag from under the table. “Please, don some clothing.”
“As you wish.” Whatever would make her feel more ease, he’d do. He flipped the flap open and removed a pair of black leather pants and a tan colored shirt. He changed, rolled the billowy sleeves of the shirt to his elbow and donned his pants. “Is this better, my mate?”
“Nay—I mean aye. Much better.” She set her hands on her hips. “We need to have a talk, a serious one.”
“We do.” He caught one of her long golden-blond locks, wound the length around his finger then released it. It bounced and caught the tip of her cute nose. Everything about her intrigued him.
“Finlay!” She flicked the lock away. “Cease playing with my hair. I need you to understand just how much danger you’re in when you insist on touching me.”
“I apologize, but the need to touch you rages through me.” He backed her against the wall, slid one hand behind her head and the other behind her shoulders so she’d not scrape her flesh on the rough stone. Then slowly, he bent his head. “May I kiss you?” He longed to taste her lips. “One single kiss. I need this, Arabel. I need you.”
“There shall be no kissing.”
“Then I shall just have to steal a kiss.”
“There shall be no stealing of kisses either.” She ducked under his arm, gone in the blink of an eye as she darted to her golden curtained ambry across the room. She nabbed a blue and gold colored gown and disappeared behind her dressing screen. “Perhaps you should leave.”
“And go where?”
“Anywhere but near me.”
“That is an impossible request.”
“I also have much to do this day, my sister to find and further preparations to make for any of the villagers who I hope will be seeking shelter from the coming battle behind these walls. I’m sure you have plenty to do to keep you occupied too. There is a village to save, and all.” Velvet swished.
“So you intend to ignore the fact we’re mated and a bond has formed?” Something he wouldn’t allow. Boots in hand, he pulled them on then strapped his wrist daggers and sword belt in place. From the side table, he picked up the pitcher of water and poured some into the basin. Steam curled into the air. Nice. “Thank you, my sweet, for heating the water.”