Her hands went to her hips, she cocked a brow, and she titled her chin up daring him to admonish her.
A brief smile touched his lips, though it disappeared fast enough and he stepped toward her so fast that he startled her and she stumbled. He reached out and grabbed her around the waist to tug her up snug against him. And damn if she didn’t feel that he was hard for her.
“Your courage and defiance sets my passion boiling.”
She smiled sweetly.
He laughed. “Don’t think I’m going to let you get away with your antics. Storming into the keep the way you did was not wise. And taking command as if you were in charge and pulling me to my solar, then charging out so that I had no choice but to follow?” Cree shook his head. “Extremely unwise.” He kept shaking his head. “And yet I admire your brave—though foolish action—which is why I’d like nothing better than to toss you over my shoulder, carry you to our bed, and spend the next couple of hours making love to you.”
Dawn nodded in agreement, already feeling herself ready for him.
He brushed his lips across hers and groaned. “We can’t. I must tend to this matter first. I will return later and we will…”
That he left it unsaid caused countless images to flick through her mind and she shivered at the endless possibilities.
He kissed her quick and laughed. “I love that you’re always willing and ready to make love.” He tugged her closer. “You are mine, always remember that.”
She nodded, tapped his chest, and then her chest.
“Are you telling me that I am yours and that I should always remember that?”
She gave him one firm nod before kissing him.
They lingered enjoying each other for a moment and then Cree stepped away with a growl and mumbled an oath as he headed to the door. He stopped, his hand on the latch, and turned his head to Dawn. “Lila knows all your secrets?”
She scrunched her brow wondering why he would ask her such a thing.
“I want you to feel as safe confiding in me as you do to Lila.”
She patted her chest and nodded, letting him know that she did.
“That doesn’t answer my question. “Does Lila know all your secrets?”
Dawn gripped the sides of her skirt to prevent her hands from going protectively to her stomach where the babe nestled safely inside. She answered truthfully and shook her head.
“But you do harbor a secret or why else would you clench your skirt so tightly?”
She did not confirm or deny his question; she stood staring at him, her hands still gripping the sides of her skirt.
“Later,” Cree said with a nod, “you will tell me this secret that makes you clench your hands in worry.”
Dawn collapsed in a chair as soon as the door closed and wondered how she would keep her secret.
Chapter Sixteen
Cree walked through the village with Sloan on their way to Old Mary’s. He also wanted to make certain that the guards had been posted strategically. He was pleased to see that they had been and that they were also unnoticeable. No one would be the wiser that more sentinels than usual were about.
“So far the tracker has had no luck,” Sloan said. “Whoever it was covered their tracks well, but he hasn’t given up yet; Henry is determined.”
“He usually is.” Cree scowled at Torr headed his way.
“He’s a determined one too,” Sloan said with a nod in Torr’s direction.
“An observant one too. His glance drifts as he walks and his pace slows when he notices something out of the ordinary. His eyes and senses are sharp. He’s a skilled, seasoned, and cunning warrior.”
“You admire him,” Sloan said.
“He may be an annoying thorn in my side that I want to pluck out and be rid of, but he is also the type of warrior you would rather have beside you in battle rather than across from you.”
Cree stopped a few feet from Torr making him close the distance between them.
“You post extra guards and make them inconspicuous, leaving father and I in the dark. Not a place a warrior wants to be,” Torr said and crossed his arms over his wide chest.
“And tell me, Torr, how you and your father would react if I arrived at your home and suddenly things went awry. Would you be so welcoming and trusting?”
Torr smiled. “I see your point, though I give you my solemn word that we mean harm to none here.”
“While I believe that, I also must protect what is mine and until the situation is made clear, I will take precautions.”
“As would I,” Torr admitted, “though please know that I would defend Dawn with my life.”
“I have no doubt of it and I greatly appreciate it.”
“Then you will grant me permission to visit with her now?” Torr asked maintaining his smile.