The Highlander's Forbidden Bride(31)

It had been so very odd to have someone care about her, worry over her, want to protect her, and to feel that his every touch had simply been remarkable. To be touched so lovingly had been even more remarkable. Never had she been touched like that in her life, and she craved for more, so much more from him, only him. That was why it had been difficult to pull away from him when he had taken her hands in his.

But her foolish mistake had cost her, and now she needed to be on guard more than ever. To her disappointment, her father had been right about something: Hate endures.



Ronan sat in the rocking chair, watching Carissa sleep. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to get in bed with her. He didn’t like what he was thinking, the possibility infuriated him. If Carissa had pretended to be the slave Hope, she had made a complete fool out of him.

And why hadn’t he ever considered it before?

Being unable to see had been traumatic and more fearful than he had ever imagined possible. He hadn’t known where he was, hadn’t known if he was alone or if someone stood silent guard over him, hadn’t known how severe his wounds, hadn’t been able to help himself at all. Hope had been God sent. She had been kind and had immediately eased his fears and concerns with thoughtful words and a gentle touch. As ridiculous the thought, he had felt safe with her. Not that she could have protected him, but her calm, reassuring presence had brought him at least a modicum of relief. And to think it possible that all along it might very well have been Carissa playing him for a fool, made him want to make her suffer even more.

He shook his head as it rested in his cupped hands. The things he had confided in her about himself and his family. He raised his head and shook it again. Could it truly be so? Or was this forced confinement driving him crazy with thoughts that were simply ridiculous?

Her nature was her features.

Carissa had been right about that, and that was the one thought that kept him wondering. Could a woman with such a cold, uncaring heart portray a woman completely opposite in nature?

He had never once thought Hope anyone other than who she was, a good-hearted woman who he had easily fallen in love with. Why did he allow himself to doubt that now?

Hope had been just that to him…hope. Her encouraging nature had made it easier for him to believe that everything would be all right. He would survive, and he would eventually be free. Without her constant encouragement and care, he doubted he would have survived his confinement. So to question it now, to think it had all been a lie, a ruse, a trap not only infuriated him but left him feeling empty.

If Carissa proved to be Hope, then the woman he loved had never existed. Everything they had shared had never existed, and that ripped at his heart as sharply as the mighty talons of a falcon.

He sat back, sending the rocker into a soothing rhythm that began to lull him to sleep. He didn’t fight it; it let his eyes drift shut. In sleep, he would escape his doubts and never-ending thoughts…or would he?

He smelled the familiar scent of apples before he felt her touch. Gentle, so very gentle. She bathed his swollen eyes.

“You will see again, I promise.”

He reached out, eager to touch her face, and she took hold of his hand and placed it against her cool cheek. His fingers were quick to search out her lips. He loved the feel of them and even more so after they kissed, for they would be plump with passion.

“Kiss me,” he said.

And she obliged.

Their kiss started out gentle, but it wasn’t long before it turned hungry with desire. And it wasn’t long before his loins hardened to an ache he longed to ease.

A sudden noise tore them apart.

“It’s nothing,” she assured him.

“Then kiss me again,” he said, “for I miss your lips.”

She laughed soft and easy before obliging him, and when it ended, she said, “I love you. I will always love you.”

He took hold of her hand and laced her long slim fingers with his. “Nothing in this world will make me stop loving you. My heart forever belongs to you.”

“Nothing?” she asked. “Nothing at all will stop you from loving me?”

“Nothing,” he reiterated. “A strong, unwavering love connects you and me. We are one and always will be.”

“Promise?”

“I give you my word.”

“I will hold you to it, Highlander.”

Ronan’s eyes sprang open and he bolted straight up in the rocker.

Carissa was the only one who called him Highlander, and he looked to where she slept in the bed. Had it been his worries that produced the dream, or had he been shown the truth?

No answer came to him, but he would have one. No matter what it took he would find out the truth.