With a grimace he wrapped an arm around Keeley’s shoulders to steady himself.
“I have need of the chamber pot,” he said gruffly. “Perhaps ’twould be best if you stepped from the room a moment.” He had no desire to horrify her with his personal needs.
Her expression softened and she smiled up at him. “Who do you think has helped you accomplish your needs for the past days, warrior?”
Heat crept up his neck until he was sure he was blushing like a maiden.
“I’ll forget you said that.”
She laughed and slipped from underneath his arm. “Are you certain you’ll be all right? I’ll just be right outside. If you have need of me just holler. I’ll give you a moment to get into the tub and then I’ll return.”
Alaric nodded and watched as she walked to the door. Once there, she turned and gifted him with a shy smile that sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine. Then she exited and closed the door behind her.
Feeling like an old, decrepit man, Alaric completed his business and then went about the task of easing into the tub. He found it easier to kneel on one knee instead of sitting all the way down. He never understood the pleasures of a bath. He much preferred a swim in the loch with his brothers. The basin seemed much too small for a man his size and it was awkward as hell to maneuver in.
Still, he managed to wash himself the best he could. When he was satisfied that he’d done an adequate job, he braced his palms on the sides of the tub and pushed upward with a grunt.
“Alaric?”
Keeley’s voice drifted through the wood barrier and he went still, a drying cloth in his hand.
“Aye.”
“Are you well? Do you need help?”
He was sorely tempted to tell her aye, but he couldn’t bring himself to be that underhanded.
“Look in my chest at the foot of the bed and bring me a clean pair of trews.”
A moment later she put her hand around the side of the barrier and held out his trews to him.
“Are you sure you’ll be able to get them on?” she asked doubtfully.
“I’ll manage.”
Several painful minutes later, he trudged around the side of the barrier, sure he was as white as a sheet. She took one look at him and immediately wrapped her arm around his waist, taking care not to touch his wound.
“You should have let me help you,” she chided. “You’re in pain.”
He eased onto the bed with her help and positioned himself on his back. His strength was flagging, but he held up his hand to her.
“Lie with me, Keeley. We both have need of rest. I’ll sleep better with you by my side.”
Her eyes glowed and her cheeks pinkened, but she slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her down to the mattress.
“ ’Tis the truth I’m tired,” she whispered.
“Aye, you have every reason to be.”
He slid his hand up and down her back and rested his chin on the top of her head. Gradually she relaxed until she was limp and soft against him.
“Keeley?”
“Aye?” she asked sleepily.
“Thank you for giving me aid and for returning with my brothers to tend me.”
She was silent for a moment, and then she slipped her hand into his. “You’re welcome, warrior.”
CHAPTER 11
Keeley sighed and burrowed closer to the source of heat. She gave a lazy yawn and nearly purred at the large hand rubbing up and down her back. ’Twas a wondrous way to awaken.
Then she remembered that she was in bed with Alaric McCabe and it could only be his hand wandering aimlessly across her back.
She lifted her head and found him staring down at her. His hand moved up to her hair and he gently massaged her nape. She was hesitant to speak, to break the peaceful still that had invaded the chamber.
Soft light poured through the gap in the furs at the window, and the fire had once again died down to a bed of glowing embers.
Alaric was propped above her, his long hair streaming over his broad shoulders. He looked deliciously savage, but content as well. No pain darkened his gaze. Nay, something else entirely blazed in his depths. Something that made her itchy and warm inside and out.
She licked her lips nervously and his gaze darkened further, until the green of his eyes was a slim ring around the dilated black of his pupils. His mouth parted and his breaths came in uneven jerks. His hand tightened around her nape and before she could process the situation, he pulled her to him, bending his head to meet her lips.
It was a gentle kiss. Barely a brush across her tingling mouth, but how sweet it tasted. He came back again, this time pressing his mouth to the corner of hers. His tongue lapped out, warm and rough, dragging over the curve of her mouth and then running along the seam, demanding her lips to part.