Page 42 of Intrigued By A Highlander

The abbey loomed in the distance, a solid structure of stone and faith, its high walls promising safety. Dru wasn’t convinced.

As they rode closer, she took in the simple but sturdy buildings, the neat rows of cultivated land, and the figures moving about in brown robes. She had little love for monks, but these men seemed peaceful enough, but it changed nothing.

Dru shifted uncomfortably in the saddle. She didn’t like the idea of being left behind while Knox ran off on some dangerous errand. What if he didn’t return? And why did that thought disturb her so much?

When Knox dismounted, he reached up to help her down. She hesitated before placing her hands on his broad shoulders, letting him lift her effortlessly to the ground.

“I won’t stay here long,” she warned.

Knox scowled. “You’ll stay until I return.”

A pair of monks approached—one elderly, the other younger, perhaps only a few years older than her. The older man smiled kindly. “Welcome, travelers. I am Brother Ewan, and this is Brother Thomas.”

Knox gave them a respectful nod. “Brother Ewan. I’m Knox and this is my wife, Dru. I was hoping you’d have a room to spare for a day or two for my wife. I must leave on an urgent matter, and I need her kept safe until I return. I will gladly compensate you for her stay.”

Dru folded her arms over her chest but said nothing.

“We welcome travelers whether they are able to compensate us or not, my son, but your generosity is appreciated,” Brother Ewan said. “Dru will be safe and well cared for while here.”

Knox turned to her, his expression serious. “Stay here. Do not leave these walls. Do not cause trouble. And do not try to follow me.”

She lifted a brow. “Or you’ll have me locked away?”

“If I must.”

She smirked. “I’d like to see you try.”

He exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath before looking at Brother Ewan. “She can be difficult.”

The old monk chuckled. “What woman isn’t?”

Knox turned back to Dru. “I won’t be gone long. Stay put. This place is safe, and I need to know you’re safe.”

She could argue—she wanted to argue—but something in his eyes made her pause. Worry. For her.

She looked away, fighting foolish and unexpected tears that threatened. “Just… don’t get yourself killed.”

Knox reached out and took hold of her chin to turn her head toward him and lowered his lips to hers and kissed her gently, then whispered, “I don’t want to lose you. Stay safe for me.”

And with that, he mounted his horse and rode away, leaving Dru with her mouth agape, her misty eyes following him, her lips tingling, and with far too much time to think about his words—I don’t want to lose you—and what they meant and how they made her feel.

Knox hadno idea why he said what he did to Dru or why he kissed her.

That was a lie.

He wanted to kiss her and though it was far from a sufficient kiss, the gentle feel of her lips delivered a powerful punch to his senses. Not simply sparking them but lighting them on fire. What was it about the pint-sized, wickedly feisty woman that he found so appealing? If he wasn’t careful, he could make a serious mistake and see their marriage made permanent.

Was that such a bad thought?

He shook his head. How could he even think that? She was appalled when his lips had faintly touched hers this morning. She probably was dragging her arm across her mouth to get rid of the taste of him right now.

But she had expressed concern that he didn’t get himself killed. Could it be that she cared for him?

Knox shook his head again, silently berating himself for such foolish thoughts. He had no time for this. He didn’t even know what this was. He’d never felt anything for the women he had known that he now felt for Dru.

He had never felt.

That was it. He had stopped feeling long ago or he would never have survived life with the mercenaries. Dru had changed that. She had made him feel so much more than he ever thought there possibly was to feel. He wanted her to be kept safe and he wanted to return to her and only now did he realize how much it had hurt him to ride away without her. He missed her in his arms and the way she rested comfortably against him, the way she challenged him in their discussions, and how her smile teased, tempted, and tested without realizing it.

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