Page 6 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

She thought to admonish him, but then wondered over the wisdom of it.

He would ignore her and do as he felt. Her only course of action was to grow strong and independent, and then she would have her way.

She would see to that, most certainly she would.

She would not have another man dictate to her and most certainly not a stranger.

He stood and walked over to the hearth.

Royce could see that she was annoyed, but she refrained from objecting. Was her marriage one of strict obedience? Was her husband’s every word a command meant to be obeyed regardless of her own desires? He went about preparing the meal with many questions haunting him.

“You eat first,” she said to him when he sat on the bed beside her ready to feed her the delicious-smelling stew.

He placed a clean cloth beneath her neck and over her chest, guarding her and the blanket from spills. “I thought we would share it, if you don’t mind?”

It did not disturb her to eat from the same spoon as he. “Nay, I have no objections. I just do not wish to see you go hungry while feeding me.”

“You barely eat a mouthful,” he teased. “It is not I who will go hungry.”

He offered her half a spoonful and she eagerly took it.

“It is delicious,” she said with a lick of her lips after finishing the small portion.

He had a mouthful, having helped himself to a spoonful.

“You cook well.”

He prepared another small portion for her. “I was young when I was forced to prepare my own meal. After spitting out the awful concoction, I swore that I would not suffer such a heinous fate again. I learned to cook for myself.”

Brianna eagerly waited for another bite. ‘‘I am glad that you did, for now I do not have to suffer such a fate.”

They talked of their younger days and the freedom and joy only a child possesses. He discovered that she had a brother she adored and who treated her well, and from this he assumed her parents had passed on. She discovered that he guarded his privacy well and sparingly gave her clues to his life.

But through it all she watched his eyes and deep within their dark green depths she realized there was a part of him he kept hidden. And she wondered over it.

“A little more,” he urged, feeling she had not eaten enough, but she protested.

“I grow tired from all I have eaten.” She yawned to prove herself correct.

“Then you will sleep well.”

Her sleep had not been without interruptions.

Her pain seemed to increase at night while nightmares haunted her.

Royce had joined her in bed, comforting her in his arms and assuring her that she was safe and that he would allow no harm to come to her.

She did not wish to think of the night without him.

She had come to rely on his presence beside her and the safety of his arms. She did not worry about him being intimate with her.

He had assured her often enough that she was safe with him and she believed him.

What other choice did she have but to trust him?

He finished cleaning and added extra logs to the fire. He took a quick peek out the door to check on the weather, and to Brianna’s surprise she saw snow falling heavily outside.

“When did that start?” she asked.

“Some hours ago.” He slipped out of his shirt and boots, leaving his leggings on.

Her glance settled on his bare chest. She had seen it before, though today she was much more alert than the last two days.

The pain had consumed much of her waking time, and sleep was a friend she sought often.

When she had first seen his bare chest, it had been through a hazy fog, and even then it was an impressive sight.

Now she looked with remarkable awe at his form.

He had to be a warrior of tremendous skill, for his arms and chest were thick and hard with muscle.

His strength she knew of firsthand, for he lifted her effortlessly, as though she weighed no more than a feather.

His waist was slim, though also thick with muscle, and his legs could easily support his firm bulk.

She glanced over the length of him quick enough, and while she had no interest in his manhood, or so she told herself, she couldn’t help but notice he was well endowed.

Her husband had often boasted of his remarkable size and how she was not capable of satisfying a man so powerfully built.

From what she could see, Royce looked to put her husband to shame.

Surely she could never please a man like him.

But then, she need not worry about it. He had no interest in her and she had none in him.

Why, then, did she think of it?

His words caught her attention. “It was a gentle snow at first but turned heavier fast enough.”

Would her brother ever find her if there was no trail to follow? She wondered over her fate. How long would she remain with Royce? Could she trust him as she thought she could? Could she trust herself to remain strong and. fearless? She shivered, not knowing the answers.

“Are you warm enough?” he asked, leaning over the bed to once again slip his arm beneath her back.

She nodded and tensed when he lifted her off the pillows.

“Relax,” he said softly. “You will only cause yourself pain.”

He spoke the truth, but for some reason her situation suddenly seemed hopeless and her misgivings made her feel all the more vulnerable.

He adjusted the pillows and gently laid her down and moved her over ever so gently, so there would be room in the bed for him.

He thought she might object, since he caught the look of doubt in her eyes, but he thought it better to do as he had done for the last two nights, and that was climb in bed with her and soothe her troubled sleep.

He slipped in beside her beneath the covers, and it took barely minutes before she managed to ease herself slowly against him, her head resting on the top of his shoulder.

“Comfortable?” he asked.

“Aye, I am and thank you.”

“Nay, there is no need for thanks. It is good to have you here beside me. It is less lonely.” He kept his hands to himself, though he would have preferred to slip his arms around her and give her a gentle kiss.

He would wait, for nightmares seemed to haunt her, and it was then that she eagerly went into his arms and remained until he released her upon rising.

He was growing accustomed to her there nightly in his embrace and he liked it.

What would happen between them when she grew stronger?

He had no answer; he would wait, have patience, and allow nature to take its course.

She was barely asleep when she grew restless and began to whimper as if being hurt. He wondered if she continued to relive the accident or if more painful memories haunted her.

He took her in his arms, held her close, and soothed her with gentle kisses to her face. She settled as she always did, and together they slept, both healing in their own way.