She scoffed. “Please. Ye only remembered me because of me connections. Nay need to lie.”
“That is nae why.”
“Well, that is what the council thinks.”
“Nae me,” he said, his voice low.
“Well, whatever ye say. I am nae a young lassie anymore.”
“And thank God for that,” he breathed. “Reality has surpassed me expectations by far.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she turned her face away. “Stop. I daenae trust ye. I daenae care to hear these things from ye.”
“But ye should. If ye are leaving as soon as the men are healed, as ye told me, then we must make up for lost time.”
She rose to her feet and began to pace the cave. Her arms were crossed, and her tone was sharp. “Ye are unbelievable, do ye ken that? Ye think ye can just snatch me away and try to seduce me? What next? Did yer council ask for an heir, too?”
His eyebrow arched. “They did. But that has nothing to do with what ye do to me.”
She froze.
“I daenae regret leaving, Lily,” he admitted. “But I do regret leavingye.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Well, I am glad ye did. I found me true calling.”
“Did ye?” His eyes searched hers. “Ye mean to tell me ye daenae care for the kiss we shared the other night? That yer body isnae yearning for mine?”
Her lips parted. She tried to deny it. “I would never?—”
“Uh-huh,” he said, moving closer.
His face was near hers, and his breath warmed her lips. He did not touch her. Not yet. However, the air between them crackled, and the heat contrasted with the cold outside the cave.
She cleared her throat, her voice uneven. “We will never do that again.”
“Absolutely.”
“‘Tis a bad idea.”
“Truly terrible,” he murmured against her lips.
“Ye’re nae listening to me.”
“On the contrary.”
Her breath shuddered. He was right in her face, and she couldn’t leave. He could see the resignation in her eyes as well. She was about to give in.
She did.
A smirk crossed his face as she leaned closer. Their mouths nearly touched before he stepped back.
Her eyes widened, and she stared at him, the confusion on her face clear. “What are ye?—”
His smirk widened. “Did ye already forget, wife? Ye must beg.”
Her chest rose and fell. “What?”
“Aye.”
