Page 21 of Intrigued By A Highlander

“So,” Dru said, breaking the silence. “Rankin scurried off with his tail between his legs. Can’t say I expected anything different. I take it you know him well.”

“As well as I need to. He had no choice,” Knox said flatly. “I meant what I said—I would’ve killed him if he hadn’t.”

Dru tilted her head back slightly, glancing up at him. “Aye, I believed you.”

Knox’s grip on the reins didn’t tighten, didn’t flex—he remained as steady as ever, but there was something in his tone, a sharpness, that told her he was still turning things over in his head.

Dru arched a brow. “So, this ‘first to find, first to keep’ rule?—”

Knox huffed. “Another of Phelan’s rules that strictly benefit him. His mercenaries come across a woman, Phelan has first choice. Bounty—it belongs to Phelan. Everything belongs to Phelan. He shares only what he chooses to with his warriors, and he isn’t overly generous.”

“Why would any warrior stay with him?”

“Food. Women. Drink. In abundance.”

“It wasn’t enough for you?”

“Not nearly enough. I want a place I can call mine. Food and drink of my own and a woman of my own.”

Dru patted his chest and teased, “Well, you got the woman. I’m all yours.”

Knox chuckled. “Not quite, though I can rectify that.”

Dru swore beneath her breath, feeling her cheeks heat.

“No worries, Dru. As I’ve told you. You’re too small for me.”

“Then you must not be good at coupling,” she snapped and nearly cringed, allowing her temper to get the better of her.

What did it matter to her anyway whether he was or wasn’t any good at coupling? She had no intention of finding out. So, she should be glad he had no interest in her and yet it continued to annoy her that he didn’t. She was safe with him. She should be happy. So, why did it nag at her?

He studied her for a moment before asking, “Because I find you too small for me, you believe I wouldn’t be good at coupling? Do tell me how you came by that conclusion.”

She did it this time. Now she was going to have to tell him what Hennie had said.

“I’m thinking this has something to do with that discussion you, Hennie, and Birdie had.”

He was astute. She needed to remember that.

“Spill it, Dru. What did Hennie say? It had to be her since out of the three of you she would have the most experience with men.” His brow narrowed. “Unless, of course, you’re more familiar with men.”

Anger marked her every word. “I’m a virgin and I’ve fought hard to keep it that way. No man will ever touch me, not ever.”

“I believe you.”

“You do?” she asked surprised he didn’t hesitate to let her know that.

“I do. You can be a handful, but I believe you’re an honorable woman, a trait I would want in my wife.” He tapped her nose. “And I got it in my wife. Now tell me what Hennie said that makes you believe I wouldn’t be good at coupling.”

“We should not be discussing this,” she said, trying to avoid doing so.

“Aye, but we should. We’re wed and coupling is an important part of marriage.”

“We’re not truly wed,” she reminded him.

“Let’s say we are. I intend to make sure my wife is well pleased in bed. So, tell me why I wouldn’t please you.”

Dru wanted to get it over with and move on. “Hennie says no woman is too small for a man who is a good lover. That he knows how to ease a woman to fit him.”

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