"No. Please. Stay here beside me."
God in heaven. He wondered if she knew what she was asking of him. To be so close to her and not touch her would be the most terrible of torments for him.
Still, he could see the need in her eyes, in the way her fingers clutched at him.
"Aye. If that is what you need."
"I could not bear to be alone tonight. As long as you are with me, I will be safe."
A few short hours ago she would not have said as much.
He pried off his boots and stretched out on the bed beside her. Being careful to keep the coverings between them, he took her hand in his.
"Hold me, Morgan."
He groaned inwardly. With all the tenderness he could manage he drew her into the circle of his arms. This was the sweetest of tortures. It would take all the willpower he possessed to lie beside her until morning and merely hold her.
She sighed softly. Despite the bed linens he could feel the way her breasts pressed against his chest. He was achingly aware of her thighs, just beneath the thin covering, pressed firmly to his.
"Sleep, little one," he murmured against her temple.
"You will not leave me?"
"I give you my word."
She closed her eyes. He felt the wild fluttering of her heart and drew her closer, as if to share his strength.
After what seemed hours her breathing became soft and easy. Her fingers loosened their death grip on his arms. She escaped into blessed sleep.
Morgan shifted and drew the covers over Brenna as gently as possible so as not to disturb her rest. He watched her as she fought the demons that pursued her even in sleep.
He had demons of his own to fight.
The woman who lay nestled against his chest was so soft, so inviting.
A shaft of moonlight poured through the balcony window, bathing her in a soft golden glow. Her dark hair spilled across his arm, a stark contrast to the snowy bed linens. He bent his face to her and breathed in the fragrance of roses. The perfume of roses was everywhere--on the fresh breeze that wafted from the rose garden; in the water that he'd used to bathe her wounds; even mingled with the linens on which they lay.
He felt her suddenly stiffen in his arms and knew that the bad dream was upon her again. He watched as her fingers tightened on his arm.
Her eyelids fluttered. Her lips moved in a soundless protest.
He pressed his lips to her temple and felt himself over 7
flowing with love for her. If only he could, he would absorb all her pain, all her fears. How bravely she had fought her attacker. He thought of the first time he had seen her, facing down hundreds of English swordsmen with that cool, haughty demeanor. By the gods, she was magnificent. She could wilt her enemy with a single look. Yet she was the most-tenderhearted woman he had ever met.
He watched as her breathing grew softer once more. Her fingers entwined with his. She slept as peacefully as a baby. But even then he did not relax his silent, watchful vigil.
Brenna lay very still, feeling disoriented. A man's arm was around her, pinning her to him. For a fraction of a second she was gripped by fear. The attacker. Had he come back to finish what he had started?
Then she remembered Morgan's promise. He would stay with her and keep her safe.
Her lids flickered, then opened quickly. Morgan's dark eyes stared into hers. She wondered how long he had been watching her. It was a strange sensation to be lying so close to him.
She let out a long, deep sigh.
"I knew you would be here."
He loved the way her voice sounded, breathless and still touched with sleep.
"Did you?"
"Aye."
She smiled at him and he felt his heart leap to his throat.
She moved slightly until she lay facing him. The bed linens shifted, revealing the shadowed cleft between her breasts. It was impossible for Morgan to forget that she was naked beneath the covers.
He was wearing neither shirt nor tunic. She had probably noticed that after the attack of the intruder, but in the panic of the moment it had not registered. Now she could not take her gaze from him. How wide his shoulders. How massive his hair-roughened chest.
"Have you slept at all?"
He shook his head.
"But I did not mean to rob you of your sleep, my lord."
"I would rather watch you. Besides, it is enough to know that you are resting."
"How long have I slept?"
"An hour or more."
"I feel as rested as though I have slept the night away."
"There are many hours until dawn, my lady. You need have no fear. I will not leave you while you sleep."
Her voice lowered seductively.
"I have no need of sleep now."
He heard the new inflection in her voice and felt himself tense.
"Would you have me leave?"
Her hand closed over his.
"Nay, my lord."
Morgan's eyes narrowed. Never before had the lady behaved in such a teasing manner. Could it be that he misread her meaning?