He slipped his hand beneath her breast and cupped it giving it a firm squeeze and whispered. I want to feel you grind beneath me again.

Her body grew taut and she cast her eyes down.

Look at me, he ordered and her eyes shot up. He inhaled sharply. Passion burns in you as it does me.

He was right and it made her feel all the more a wicked woman. Whatever was the matter with her, craving Cree the way she did. Did she forget that the devil was tempting her soul? Nothing good would come of their lust. He would never wed her and one day he would leave her and then what? But at the moment what choice did she have? He was the new Earl of Carrick and she could not deny him, and Lord forgive her, she did not want to.

She pressed her finger once against his arm holding it there longer than necessary, letting him know that he was right.

You belong to me, Dawn. I and I alone will touch you. And I alone will decide your fate.

Her stomach churned at the thought that her fate lied in Crees hands, and she shifted slightly as if putting a bit of a distance between them would make a difference. She winced when she accidentally settled against his bulge.

Youre sore.

She ignored his curt tone and nodded.

You will go see Elsa when we return.

Another terse remark she ignored and nodded to appease him. She would go see Elsa when she felt it was necessary or at least put it off until he forced it upon her. Where did this feeling of defiance come from? She had always obeyed without question. She had had little choice. It had been either that or suffer harsh consequences. Did she think that Cree wouldnt punish her? Or was she finally feeling her own strength and relying on it?

She looked around her wondering where they were headed and her heart gave a catch at the beauty of the land that stretched out around them. The rolling hills gave way to meadows falling dormant in preparation of winter. The last of the heather was fading fast and some of the trees were already barren while the pine remained ever green.

Her mum had traveled over this land with her when she had been only a babe. She had made the journey alone, her da having died before she was born. Her mum had told her that she had gone in search of a better life for them both. And life had been fairly good until Colum had arrived. Now there was Cree.

She tilted her head to peek up at him and found him staring down at her.

You have something to say?

It pleased her that he spoke with her as if she had a voice. And yes she had much to say to him but not here, not now... in time. She nodded and pointed ahead, then shrugged.

You wonder where we go.

She nodded and smiled, pleased that he understood her.

You saw the drawings for the keep that I intend to start building in the spring. We go to where that keep will be located. William has come along as well so that he and I can go over some details.

Her hands immediately began moving.

Slow down, he said with a smile, so that I may understand you.

Her gestures slowed, though more so because of his smile. He was smiling more often when he was with her and that pleased her as did the fact that he seemed all the more handsome when he smiled, if that was possible. Or perhaps it was more than that, perhaps on these rare occasions his heart got a chance to shine through, which might suggest that his soul wasnt as evil as everyone believed.

He followed her gestures more easily than he had expected. You would like to see the drawings again and hear what William has to say? Her nod had him continuing. Since I intend to keep you by my side while we are away from the keep, I would say that is a distinct possibility.

They arrived at the location a short time later and Cree dismounted. Then he reached up, took hold of her waist and slipped her off the horse. He did not release her right away and Dawn could have sworn he was going to kiss her. And she was disappointed when he didnt but then here and now in front of his men was not the time or place for such intimacy. The sensible thought did nothing to quell her desire. Her lips ached, her stomach fluttered and that damn tingle rushed to tease between her legs.

If she was not already speechless, she would have been struck so when he took her hand in his and tugged for her to follow beside him. His hand was warm, his grip strong and a tad possessive, as if he intended to never let her go. And foolish as the thought was, it brought a smile to her face and lightened her heart.

Dawn noticed that his men fanned out, without any instructions from Cree, and formed a perimeter around the area. William rushed up to meet Cree, rolled parchments flapping under his arm.

My lord, he said with a brief bow. Once we discuss further options today I will be able to complete my list and if I have your permission, I would like to take my leave before winter sets in so that I may locate the necessary craftsmen and purchase the necessary material for work to begin in the spring.

If all proves acceptable you may leave before the first snow falls, Cree agreed.

With her hand still firmly in Crees she walked along with the two men as they talked, but her interest soon drifted to the view as they followed up the rise. And once they reached the top of the bluff her eyes turned wide. The view was breath-catching. You could see Ben Loyal in the distance and beneath the bluff flowed the Kyle of Tongue. With water so close any village built here would prosper.

The river will make it easy to bring the materials and furnishings by boat and is perfect for the trade you have in mind. I have drawings for the port you spoke about, William said rifling through his drawings.

Trade? Port? Cree certainly had plans. What other plans did he have? A wife? Children to pass all of this onto?

Dawn needed distance from what she was hearing and what it would mean to her and tried to slip free of Crees grasp. He looked with questioning eyes at her and she pointed to an area of large stones and he nodded his consent, though he released her hand with some reluctance.

There was a slight breeze on the bluff and though the sun was strong today there was a chill in the air. She wrapped her dark green wool cloak around her and was glad for the dark blue wool skirt and white linen blouse she had donned this morning. She had forgone the wool leggings not liking the feel of them, much preferring her legs bare beneath her garments. It afforded her the opportunity to remove her boots and let her feet enjoy the feel of the grass or the rich soil when ripe for planting.

But she had no thought to remove her boots when she sat on the flat stones. Her thoughts had lingered as to who would be by Crees side when the castle was finished, the village built, the port flourishing. And why did she let the thought disturb her? He would never wed her. She could bring nothing to a marriage. And why would she even think of such a foolish thought.

She, like the other villagers, served Cree. Each and every one of them did as he dictated and that would always be the way of it. Feeling maudlin she found a rock with a pointed edge and began to draw in the dirt.

Cree watched her as he listened and spoke with William. Something had changed within Dawn when they had reached the top of the bluff. Her enthusiasm for the castle drawings had waned and she seemed upset, though he could not fathom why.

William had more sketching he wished to do while here and Cree had hoped to walk with Dawn to a small secluded area where they could enjoy a moment of intimate privacy. Very intimate privacy. Deep, penetrating intimate privacy. He grew hard thinking about it.

Cree asked William more questions and made some suggestions to the port drawing. It was essential that the port be built. He had plans, big plans and the King had agreed with him. And the King knew that he would see the plans done. Another reason he had awarded him this land and arranged a marriage. One he had no choice but to enter into.

He rarely heard the thud of his heart so when he did, he found it odd. It was almost as if something was awakening in him and he wasnt happy about it. He did what he had to do and he did it well and did so because he did not allow himself to care.

He had stopped caring the day he had buried his mother and had placed his sister in the convent. And with each visit to his sister. he had grown more distant, and she to him until... it had been four years since hed last seen her. And the thought suddenly disturbed him.

William rolled up the maps and cast a nod at Dawn. She has a remarkable talent. May I see what she is drawing, my lord?

He was just as curious and so they both walked over and peered down.

Good Lord, that is fantastic, William said startling Dawn, though she smiled at his compliment. My lord, if she does such an amazing drawing of you in the dirt I cannot phantom what talent she would have with a brush. You should have her paint a portrait of you to hang in the Great Hall of the keep. I would be only too pleased, while on my journey, to gather the necessary items she would need to paint and draw.

Dawn cast hopeful eyes on Cree. She would love to have the materials to draw with and to paint. They had been luxuries out of her reach but now and again she would dream.

We will see, Cree said and his heart thudded again when her hopeful expression faded. And he scowled. Finish, William, we leave shortly.

William bowed his head and hurried off.

Come, Cree said holding his hand out to Dawn while casting one last look at his image. Stern? Authoritative? Stalwart? This is how he appeared to her?

She took his hand with reluctance and was surprised when he issued orders to his men in French. At that very moment she was grateful to her mum for having taught her to understand French and Latin as well.

Cree ordered his men not to disturb him unless necessary, which had Dawn wondering his intentions, though the grins on the warriors faces had them assuming the obvious and she blushed with embarrassment. But didnt everyone know by now that she was Crees woman?

They entered the woods that bordered the north side of the bluff and Cree walked with such confidence that it was obvious he was familiar with the land. If that was so then he had to have come here often or could he have lived his younger years in this area?

There was so much she didnt know about Cree. And what she did know she had learned through gossiping tongues. Some of the tales were proving true while others had proved false. Who truly was this man that she had willingly surrendered to and who was stealing her heart a little bit at a time?

He stopped abruptly a few feet into the woods and turned to her. Whats wrong?

She scrunched her brow, not quite understanding.

You had been thrilled about talking with William and looking over the plans for the castle and suddenly you sulk off to sit on a rock and draw a portrait of me. So what is wrong?

Her eyes widened startled that he had noticed and that it had disturbed him enough to ask her about it.

You are surprised that I noticed. He reached up and stroked her cheek with his finger, then ran it faintly across her lips. I notice everything about you.

The tingles emerged in a gentle throb between her legs.

Your dark eyes glow with lust every time I touch you and it makes me want to touch you even more, but first... what upset you?

That he cared enough to pursue an answer warmed her heart but she could never tell him that it hurt her to know that another would share his new home with him and that she would be left on her own, alone.

He slipped his finger under her chin and forced her head up. She hadnt even realized that her head had drooped or that her shoulders had sagged with the weight of her problem.

Tell me, he whispered and leaned down and brushed a soft kiss across her lips.

She couldnt tell him; he would think her a fool. She was his mistress, nothing more and only for however long he desired her. And right now he desired her, his lust potent in his eyes. Instead of answering his question; she responded to his passion.

She changed the gentle kiss from soft to eager, as she moved closer, her arms going around his neck and her body pressing intimately against his.

He tore his mouth off hers. You will not distract me; Ill have an answer.

He left her lips pulsing for his and instinctively her tongue slipped out of her mouth to slowly stroke her aching lips.

His groin tightened like never before and he thought hed come right there and then as he watched her slim tongue play across her already moist lips. His hands shot out grabbing her face. Damn it, Dawn, he said though it sounded more like a feral growl, and then his mouth clamped down on hers.

They were both eager and hungry for each other and his hands were soon at her backside urging her against him.

I want you; here, now, hard and fast, he said having released her mouth with more reluctance than he had ever known. And he wished, oh how he wished she could tell him that she wanted him.

She smiled and her hand slipped down and under his tunic to squeeze the hard length of him.

He gave a brief, rough laugh and rested his brow to hers. I love when you speak to me so clearly. And he titled his head to kiss her again when an arrow sped past just missing the top of Dawns head.

Chapter Twenty-six.

It took all but a second for Crees arm to go around her waist, shove her to the ground and shield her body with his. A second arrow grazed his leather tunic at the shoulder and he let out a blood-curdling roar.

His men arrived in a flash and before they could surround him he yelled, Two stay and the others go find the bastard!

Cree was furious. His heart pounded in his chest and every muscle in his body turned rigid with anger. He silently berated himself for not having a larger contingent of warriors with him and he was even more of a fool for walking off with Dawn alone when danger still existed. Until the culprit could be found he intended to see her well-guarded and that damn window boarded.

He moved off her and asked, Are you all right? he didnt need an answer, she had lost all color in her face and she shivered slightly. He was about to take her in his arms when an all clear signal sounded from one of his men.

He reached out and with his hands around her waist eased her to stand along with him. He kept his arm firmly around her, not trusting her to stand on her own. All but two men returned and the news did not please him.

One of the warriors informed him that they had picked up a trail and that two of the men were following it, though it did appear as if the archer was headed back toward Dowell.

We return now, Cree ordered and with his arm remaining firm around Dawn, he hurried her to his horse.

In minutes they were on their way, Dawn once again sitting across the front of his lap as he sped through the countryside. He wanted back to the village where he could keep her safe and then...

The person responsible for this would live only long enough to tell him what he needed to know, and then hed beg to die. And Cree would be the one to deliver the final blow.

Dawn kept her head tucked in the crook of his arm and her face pressed firmly against his chest. She couldnt stop shivering. It wasnt that she was cold, it was more from fear. Had someone truly targeted her for death? And if so why?

She didnt have time to ponder. They were entering the village at a good speed and villagers were rushing out of their way, their eyes wide with curiosity and fear. She had expected Cree to deposit her at her cottage, but instead he scooped her off the stallion after dismounting and with a firm grip on her arm hurried her into the keep and to the Great Hall.

He shouted for Sloan and a couple of servants rushed off no doubt to find him. He all but shoved her to take a seat on a bench at a table close to the large hearth. He then yelled for hot cider and a flush of servants appeared not only with pitchers of hot cider but platters of food.

William wandered in appearing as pale as Dawn along with several warriors while more warriors followed behind. William took a seat across from Dawn and with shaking hands accepted a tankard from one of the servants.

Dawn cupped a tankard in her hands but she had yet to drink.

Cree leaned down in her face and ordered, Youre chilled, drink.

His dark eyes flamed with such fury that she immediately obeyed as did William, though Crees edict had not been directed at him.

When she finished taking a swallow Cree leaned down in her face again. You will stay here. You will not move until I come for you. Understand?

Dawn nodded, his eyes so feral with fury that he actually frightened her. And at that moment she wondered if perhaps he didnt have a heart after all. She was relieved when he walked away to talk with his men. It was as if she could finally breathe again.

That was a frightening ordeal, William said in a near whisper.

She nodded, the hot cider finally chasing away her chill or perhaps it was her fear dissipating. Whatever the reason she was feeling comfortably warm and let her cloak fall off her shoulders, though she kept it tucked around her waist and over her legs that still trembled a bit.

Have you always liked to draw? William asked.

Dawns face lit with a smile and she nodded.

William smiled as well. It is a God-given talent you have.

She placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head briefly, thanking him.

You are most welcome, he said understanding her and then lowered his voice. I will make certain that I bring you some drawing tools. Your talent is too amazing to waste.