He stopped walking and looked down at her. “Ask and ye shall receive.” Then he turned and started them back down the hall. “Now tell me some more about your past. Why did yer cousin force you out?”
She swallowed…hard. She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell this story.
* * *
Blake sensed her hesitation. Her head dropped and her hand tightened in his arm. He’d noticed it earlier with Price but the need to protect her rose up in him again. He wanted to pull her close and tuck her against his body as though he could keep her safe from whatever past hurt had occurred.
“He didn’t ask us to leave right away. In fact, he wanted to marry Rose.”
Blake closed his eyes, his body tensing. “What happened?”
“He grew impatient. One night I entered the library. I suppose I make a habit of wandering after midnight. Anyhow, I found him attacking my sister.”
Daisy stopped walking, her other hand wrapping about his biceps as though she needed him to hold her up. He’d like to wrap his other arm about her. Instead, he asked, “What did ye do?”
Slowly she looked up at him. “I used the chamber pot to knock him out,” she answered, a slow smile splitting her lips. “It was full.”
A choking laugh burst from his lips. She was as feisty as he’d suspected. Which he liked. And he lamented. “Good fer ye.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t so sure for a while, but it’s worked out for my sisters in the end.”
“And ye?” They’d reached her door again and, rather than stop, he started toward the other end of the hall.
Her fingers danced along his arm. “I’m still waiting to see what my future holds.”
Without meaning to, he reached up to gently brush her cheek. “It’s coming.”
“Not nearly fast enough.” She shook her head. “I’ve watched both my sisters marry and here I am, still living in my sister’s house. I thought I’d be the first to marry and now I’m the last.”
His chest tugged as he stared down at her. Yes, she was spirited but she was also honest and forthright. He liked that about her more than he cared to admit. “There’s nothing wrong with being the last. And if yer rushing, yer more liable to make a mistake and choose the wrong path.”
She looked up at him then, moonlight from the window at the end of the hall bathing her creamy skin in its milky glow. He stopped, a tingling need to touch more of her making his muscles tight.
“That’s good advice. And don’t tell Rose this either, but words I sometimes need to hear.”
His mouth had gone dry. He remembered his time with Ailish. Yes, the two women had some traits in common, but never in the year they’d known each other had he had such honest conversation as he had twice now with Daisy. “We all do. Me most of all. My father was forever telling me I needed more control. That I should stop and think my actions through.”
Her brows drew together as she cocked her chin to the side. “That’s so odd. Every time I see you, you are the picture of steadfast leadership.”
Her words pleased him and his chest rumbled with satisfaction. He found himself drawing her closer. “That’s kind of ye to say.”
“I’m not being kind,” she said. “Thank you for helping me today even if it was your horse that bumped me.”
Her chest pressed against his arm and he could feel her curves. Blood pooled in his manhood at the softness of her flesh. “Ye’re welcome.” Then he did something he knew he shouldn’t. In fact his brain screamed in protest but his lips seemed to have taken on a life of their own. Leaning down, he softly brushed his mouth against hers. Her full lips parted and she gasped in surprise, but she didn’t pull away. Taking that as a sign he could continue, he brushed his mouth against hers again and this time, she pressed back, giving him a small kiss that lit him on fire. He cupped her cheek with the palm of his hand, deepening his kiss.
She smelled of soap and rain, and a hint of something earthy that made his chest ache with a rumbling need. Her chin tipped back further to open more fully to him and masculine pride made him growl with satisfaction as he reached for her waist, fitting her body against his. She held his biceps as he pressed his lips to hers again, longer and slower, his thumb stroking her chin. Despite the passion coursing through him, he wanted to woo her with this touch. He wasn’t certain why, but it was important she feel cherished, not just wanted.
Perhaps it was her story, or her injury, or just the fact that despite the fire that lived in her belly, she was open and vulnerable. But he needed her to know she was safe in his arms. Never in his life had that been important but today, here, now, cherishing her was the most essential thing of all.
Chapter Six
Daisy could hardly breath. She’d never been kissed and she sincerely wondered why.
It wasn’t just that the press of his mouth made her insides hot and hectic, or that the feel of his arm wrapped about her made her feel safe. His hand on her chin, the light stroke of his thumb…. All of his attention, every nuanced gesture, made her feel special. Adored.
She squeezed his arms, feeling the hard bands of muscle underneath. Her breath caught even as she
