Page 10 of Highland Hearts

No one had a chance to respond, Tate hurrying into the room, calling out, “Is it true? Has William been abducted?”

“Aye, it is,” Cree confirmed, having known the news would spread fast through the village.

“William is a good man. You must do everything you can to free him,” Tate said, his hands clasped tightly as if begging Cree.

“Have no fear. William will be returned home safely,” Cree assured the man. “You know William well?”

“As well as can be expected after having spent a short time with him, though it felt like we had known each other for many years,” Tate said. “William is a remarkably talented man.”

“On that we agree,” Cree said.

“Will you retrieve him soon?” Tate asked anxiously.

“I assure you that William, along with my warriors, will be rescued,” Cree said.

“Your warriors, of course, my thoughts were focused on William, but I pray your warriors will be safe as well,” Tate offered.

“You may go now,” Cree said, dismissing the man.

Tate nodded and gave a quick glance to Dawn. “I hope to meet with you soon.”

“As soon as I grant permission,” Cree said, something about the man irritating him.

“Aye, my lord,” Tate said with a nod and wisely left the keep.

“Shall I assemble a troop of warriors?” Sloan asked.

“Speak to Gerald and see how many men Cavell has, then make ready with a sufficient amount.” Cree knew his wife would not like hearing what he was about to say so he avoided glancing her way when he added, “And I will be the one delivering my response to Cavell.”

* * *

Dawn glaredat her husband later that night in their bedchamber and Cree did his best to avoid her eyes. He had intentionally avoided her after letting Sloan know he would be the one to deliver his response. He knew she would object and detail numerous reasons why he should not go, and they were probably all valid ones. But he would not send Gerald in his stead. He wanted to face Cavell and see for himself what the man had to say. But then Cavell knew full well that Cree would respond to the demand in person. The question to consider—was Cavell setting a trap for him?

“A glass of wine,” Cree said, keeping his back turned to his wife to delay the argument that he was sure to come and after filling two tankards, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He winced having to face his wife, then squared his shoulders and put a commanding look on his face before turning to face her.

His jaw nearly dropped open to find her standing naked behind him and his shaft responded before he could.

Dawn’s arms went around her husband’s neck and her lips went to rest on his in a kiss that was anything but gentle.

Cree responded in kind, his hands going to cup and squeeze her bare backside as he tucked her against him. When his garments blocked the feel of her soft skin, he hastily ended the kiss and began stripping off his garments.

Dawn walked to their bed and stretched out on it, her arms going high above her head in a lazy stretch and spreading her legs wide slowly.

Cree rid himself of his garments, tossing them aside as he walked slowly to the bed, enjoying the enticing view of his wife’s naked body and how she invited him with each languid stretch of her arms and spread of her legs.

He dropped down over his wife balancing himself on his hands to either side of her head. “I know you, wife, and this better not be a ruse to tempt me and deny me unless I remain home and let Gerald deliver my response.”

Dawn placed a gentle hand on his cheek and mouthed.Miss you inside me.

“Damn,” he muttered, feeling repentant for accusing her.

Dawn shifted beneath him eager for him to slip inside her.

“I should not have accused you of that, wife,” he said, his way of apologizing since it was something he rarely did.

She smiled softly and mouthed distinctly so he understood every word,make it up to me.

He kissed her gently then said, “With pleasure.”

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