She stayed still even as the sensation rippled down to her toes. The healer was looking between them with surprise but Leith did not seem to care. “Take care of her.”
Her arm was slathered with a paste and wrapped while she was given broth to drink and then a dose of mandragora root. Her ebbing pain and worry took her to an uneasy sleep, and when she woke, it was nearly dusk. Almost instantly, her worry for Leith reared up.
* * *
Sitting up hours later, she did not see anyone around but could not stop to find anyone. She left the infirmary and hurried back to the castle in the growing evening.
Please Lord, I pray Leith did not do anything foolish.
She took the backdoor to the kitchens while it was in full swing, a meld of aromas from the stew, baked bread, roasted meat, and pickled mackerel nearly made her sneeze. She spun before anyone could see her and walked to the great hall. Noise from the supper meal was loud and the laugher was inviting. Mary lingered at the doorway looking in, searching for Leith. He was not there.
“Looking for someone, lass?” Leith said behind her.
She grabbed his hand and turned toward the stairs. As everyone was occupied, she had the chance to speak with him privately. They made it to his room with no interruptions and she shut the door behind them.
“Please, please tell me ye did not harm him?” Mary asked worriedly.
His expression was pinched, “Nay, I dinnae lay a hand on him because he was gone. By the time I went to look, I couldnae find skin nor spirit of him.”
Shoulder sagging in relief, Mary went to the nearest chair. “I was afraid you’d do something you would regret. If he is or was as close as you say, splitting your home in half is not worth it…I’m not worth it.”
Leith knelt in front of her and lightly grasped her bandaged arm. “This says you are.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, “Leannán, ye mean more to me than ye ken ye do.”
Just as she was about to reply, a loud knock came at the door. “Sir, we’ve bathing water for ye, just like ye requested.”
Terrified, Mary moved away to duck behind the bed before Leith could order her to stay. She was already a problem for him so why give him more? Two squires came in with buckets of steaming water and went directly to the wooden tub in.
When the youths finished, Leith closed the door just as she stood up. “I should go.”
“No,” he said, “You won’t.” Slowly, he ran a finger around the neck of her dress. His eyes darkened and so did his tone to one that she was getting familiar with—lust. “Care to take a bath with me?”
Her gaze widened, “Is that…appropriate?”
“Perhaps,” he said as he reached around to unlace her dress. She felt each tug of the string as it loosened. “Or perhaps nay. I do ken that I want to feel ye again.”
The laces were loose and she held her breath as he lowered her gown over one silky shoulder and then the next. Her nipples were already peaking and her core was tightening. Leith slid an arm around her waist and nuzzled into her neck. His tongue lapped at a red mark. His hand then smoothed over her backside.
Grasping her skirts, he caught the soft material and dragged downward over her head, revealing her slender legs, flat stomach, and high firm breasts. Mary suddenly fell insecure and crossed her arms over her chest, but he pulled her hands away.
“Ye’ve nothing to be ashamed about,” she sucked in a sharp breath, as his hand trailed up her arm and down to her collar bone. The tips of his fingers were light as butterflies as he trailed them to her breast and circled her tightening nipple.
He then took her hand and placed them on his chest, “Disrobe me.”
Her hands trembled as she pulled at the ties of his jerkin and when the lapels were open, she slid her hands under to remove it. She touched warm, sturdy battle-scarred flesh. She traced a scar over his chest, another one on his sternum, and a third that wrapped around his side.
Her finger ran along his chest and she could feel the soft rippling of his muscles under her touch. She combed her fingers through this chest hair then laid her palm flat against his beating heart. Bolder, she went to unwrapping his plaid. The heavy belt was done with but Leith had to guide her on how to unwrap it. With it dropping to the floor and he did away with his braies.
Lifting her in his arms, he carried her to the tub and stepped in. As they sank into the warm water, he placed her on his lap and under her arms both of his hands cupped her breast. His head was lowered and his lips were nipping at her neck. His fingers traced slow circles around the buds and under her bottom she could feel his length thickening.
Her head lolled back and she pressed herself into his hold. All she could think of was the pleasure he had brought her last night. His hands slipped from her breasts down to her quivering belly and then used his knees to part her legs over his.
He stroked her softly; the warm water made his acts that much more pleasurable. He was fully erect under her. Vivid memories of him kissing her center, had her reliving the passion that had seared through her body when he touched her. He had made her taste heaven, but
