“Were you injured in the fighting?” she asked.

“Nay.”

“Did you kill Haldane?”

“Hmph. He fled like a frightened rat.” Keegan’s arm tightened around her again, tugging her back against the hard wall of his chest. “He’s trying to steal you away,” Keegan whispered, his warm breath stirring her hair.

“What on earth? Why?”

“He said you were meant to be his.”

A shiver of revulsion passed over Seona. The last person on earth she would want to marry was Haldane. “’Tis because of the marriage contract the MacKays had with my father.”

“That cannot be the only reason. I’m thinking he’s greatly smitten with you.”

She was not flattered. Haldane was like a half-grown feral mongrel. She had always hated the way he’d leered at her at the high table or across the great hall. That was before he’d left the clan. Now that he’d turned outlaw, she was certain he’d be a hundred times worse.

“I thought he was trying to kill his brother,” she said.

“Aye, that as well. Two birds with one arrow.” Keegan leapt down, then helped her dismount. He tied the horse’s reins to a small tree. “I want to move you away from the horse in case he makes a noise and alerts the outlaws.”

“Very well,” she whispered.

Keegan lifted Seona, one arm beneath her knees and one at her back. She gasped in surprise, but he ignored her and carried her a few yards away. His warmth felt wonderful against her in the chill night air. When he stopped, he continued to hold her close, as if shielding her with his body.

His fierce protectiveness made her chest ache with tenderness. “I thank you for keeping me safe,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome.”

She wanted to say more, but could think of naught that didn’t sound daft. She would have to keep her thoughts to herself and focus on the danger of the situation. The leaves of the trees provided darkness and cover.

“Is Chief Dirk safe?” she asked, distracting herself from how Keegan’s powerful body affected her in a strangely exciting way.

“I know not, but I’m certain he can take care of himself and Isobel.” He turned his head this way and that, on high alert, listening for any enemy who might approach.

The silence stretched out and, with each moment that passed, she became more and more aware of Keegan’s fiery body supporting her.

“I can stand on my own two feet, you know,” she whispered.

“I thought you were barefoot.”

“I am, but what of it? You certainly cannot hold me the entire time.”

“I don’t mind.” His deep whisper in her ear was sensual and seductive.

Her rebellious body responded to his in shocking ways. Tingles moved from her breasts downward. The only time she’d ever felt like this was when she thought of Keegan in scandalous ways, such as when she imagined him kissing her.

“I insist,” she said, fighting down her disturbing reaction to him. “You cannot wield a sword while holding me.”

“Och. Very well, then.”

When he lowered her to the ground and released her, she missed his warmth. His body had obviously been overheated from the exertion of battle. She tried to ignore the pine needles prickling her feet and the spongy wet ground beneath them.

They stood in silence for a few minutes. An owl hooted in the distance. How far were they from camp?

Seona shivered, her teeth chattering, and she realized she wore naught but an ivory linen smock. Though the material was somewhat thick, the night air was cool. She’d not had time to belt her arisaid about her before Keegan dragged her from the tent. Besides, some of the maids had been sitting on it, and she’d had to leave it behind.

“Och, Lady Seona, you’re cold.”

In the near darkness, the rattle of Keegan’s belt startled her. What was he about? A moment later, a warm wool plaid surrounded her like a blanket. He pulled it around her and attached it beneath her chin with the brooch that had been fastened at his shoulder.

He had disrobed for her? Her face heated. “I cannot take your plaid.”

“Aye, you can and you will. I’ll not have you freezing to death on my watch.” He belted his weapons about his waist again.

“I wouldn’t freeze this time of year.” Though it was May, late spring in the far north of Scotland was much cooler than it was further south, where she’d grown up.

Keegan still wore a long linen shirt that reached almost to his knees, but to have taken his plaid… she couldn’t be so stingy.

“We could share this plaid,” she suggested.

She could only see an outline of him and the dim glow of his shirt in the night, but somehow she knew he was observing her, or trying to.

“I’m plenty warm,” he murmured, his voice husky. He withdrew his sword from the scabbard and turned his head. “Tell me if you hear anything.”

“Very well.” She knew he needed to concentrate on listening for enemies, but the time they had alone was rare and precious. After several minutes of peaceful silence, she felt it safe to whisper, “Earlier, you were going to tell me what you wished for.” She but wanted to know more about him, to learn who he was on the deepest level.

He turned to face her, his breathing close. She perceived his outline in the dim moonlight, but not his features or expression.

“I shouldn’t tell you,” he finally said.

“Why not?” Now, her curiosity was piqued. She wished to know all Keegan’s secrets.

“I’m not sure you would like it,” he murmured in a warning tone.

“Why? Do you wish to be an outlaw?” Could he have such shocking aspirations?

He gave a brief, low chuckle. “Nay.”

“What, then?”

After a long, tense moment of silence, he stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder, then ran it into her unbound hair. He drew nearer still, his breath teasing the skin of her face.

“Seona,” he whispered against her forehead, then kissed her there. “This.” Slowly, he kissed her temple, her cheek. “This is what I wish for.”

All the breath left her and she could not draw more in. The kisses on her face created tingles that spread quickly throughout her entire body.

Lightly, he brushed his warm, tempting lips over hers. Her eyes slid closed for surely she had drifted into a dream world.

With his thumb, he gently stroked her face and jaw line. His lips were firm, but at the same time, soft and smooth. The short, rough whiskers on his chin scratched against her tender skin, but it wasn’t painful; it excited her and made her realize how very masculine he was.

His insistent lips compelled her to return his kiss, though she knew not how. She had never been kissed before, but she followed her instincts, pressing her lips against his and mimicking his movements.

“Mmm,” he breathed and kissed her more firmly. His lips nipped at hers, snatching her thoughts and scattering them to the breeze. When he touched the tip of his tongue to her lips, as if he wanted to taste her, a sound escaped her before she could stop it. Heavens! His tongue felt wicked. She wished he would do it again.

Trying to figure out how kissing worked, she parted her lips. He growled and darted his tongue into her mouth. That sultry move stole the strength from her legs, but she held on around his neck. Her breasts and other, lower, parts of her body tingled with a strange magic. What was happening to her?

Keegan tore his mouth away from hers. “Listen.” He turned his head toward the north.

She held her breath, trying to listen. With her heartbeat thumping in her ears, she could perceive naught.

Finally, she heard it. In the distance, horses’ hooves pounded, louder and louder with each moment that passed.

“Someone’s coming,” Keegan whispered, putting her behind him. The sword in his hand glinted in the faint moonlight, straining through the leaves overhead.

She was glad he’d been paying attention to their surroundings during the kiss, for ’twas almost as if she’d been transported to another world, one where sensation ruled. Her hands trembled as she clutched onto the back of his shirt. Not from fright, but because his kiss had disturbed her so much.