Dare, Lydia - Tall, Dark and Wolfish

The clank of pots and pans he heard from the direction of the kitchen let him know Sorcha was busy preparing the broth she'd mentioned. He quickly and expertly untied the laces at the back of Elspeth's neck and gently tugged her gown from her shoulders. The reason for undressing her was purely medicinal. He tried to convince himself of that fact as he tugged her gown over her hips, leaving her in a thin chemise.

Ben tried not to look at the dusky rose color of her nipples, the shadows of which he could see through the thin fabric. He hurriedly yanked his cravat loose, threw off his waistcoat, and tugged his shirt over his head.

Ben sank beneath the counterpane once more and rolled Elspeth so that the length of her body was pressed along his. He tucked her fiery head under his chin and adjusted her hips to fit nicely against his. She was still too cold.

Ben pulled one of her legs between his so that he could cradle her closely before he pulled the counterpane higher over their shoulders. He waited, stroking her back patiently as he willed her to wake.

He'd never felt such a blinding desire to protect someone as when he'd seen Elspeth collapse. He couldn't get to her fast enough.

She stirred against him, and he took her hand in his, raising it to his cheek. He gently pressed a kiss to her palm. Then he saw the mark she wore, her own mark of the beast. As a last resort, he might use that to reach her. It definitely connected them. He just wasn't sure if the connection was physical or emotional.

For him, she was both. He closed his eyes tightly when he felt a hint of desire. He couldn't hold her nearly naked form so close and feel

nothing.

The stomp of footsteps met his ears, and he groaned at the very thought of someone seeing such a private scene. He glanced up at Sorcha, who stood still in the threshold, her mouth hanging open, a gasp frozen in the air.

"She was too cold," he said, by way of explanation. "It's the best way to warm her."

"By usin' yer

body

?" she hissed. "I could have warmed some bricks or…

somethin'

!"

"It's really the best way," he started, but a sound cut him off. "Someone is coming," he said quietly.

A knock sounded on the door ten seconds later.

"How did ye ken that?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

Ben rolled his eyes. "I'm Lycan, for God's sake," he growled. "Now, be a good witch and close the bedroom door before you go see who's here."

Sorcha flounced off in a huff, but the soft

snick

of the door closing told him she'd followed his instructions.

Elspeth moved against him and he felt himself harden. He groaned and laid his head against the pillow in defeat. "Sorry, lass. I cannot help it holding you this way," he whispered to himself.

"Canna help what?" she asked quietly from within his arms.

Twenty-six

Elspeth's limbs were as weak as water, but she managed to croak out a few words. Strong fingers anxiously pushed at her hair, moving it from her face. An insistent hand cupped her jaw and forced her to look up.

"Where am I?" she croaked. "What happened?"

Elspeth's mind told her to move, but her body really wanted to stay wrapped up in the beautiful heat that was the man next to her.

"You're in your bed," Ben said quietly.

"With ye in it, too?" She couldn't help but giggle. "This is the best dream I've ever had." She slipped her arms around his waist and pressed a cheek to his bare chest. "So warm," she sighed.

"I'm happy to hear that you like me in your bed, lass."

Elspeth tested the huge cocoon that was his body, stretching languidly. Her thigh was trapped between his own. She didn't have the strength to move, so she simply burrowed in closer.

Wiry hair teased her fingertips as she brushed her hands through the hair on his chest. He groaned and captured her hands. "I can only stand so much."

Elspeth raised the counterpane and glanced down. "Where are my clothes?" she whispered.

He chuckled. "I took them off you to warm you up."

"A likely story," she said as she swatted at his chest.

"Do you remember being with Miss Macleod, Ellie?"

"Oh," Elspeth gasped. She did remember. "Is she all right?"

"You healed her." His fingertip touched her chin and forced her to raise her gaze. "At great risk to yourself."

"That's the way it is with healers, Ben." She lifted the edge of the blanket again. "I need ta get up ta go check on Cait. But I canna figure out how ta do so."

"You're not going anywhere," he said as he pulled her tighter against him. "Not until I'm sure you're well."

"Ye canna keep me against my will," she breathed. But her traitorous nipples hardened in response to his closeness, and when she moved they brushed the fabric of her chemise. They may as well have been touching his skin.

"I don't think keeping you would be against your will," he growled. "Are you warm yet?"

"Quite," she gasped as he flipped her onto her back and pressed her into the mattress. The knee that had been so firmly clasped between his was now pushed to the side and he settled firmly between her thighs.

He looked down at her, a curious smile tilting the corner of his mouth. "Against your will, you say?" His head dipped down to touch his lips to hers briefly. It was like the touch of a butterfly on her finger.

That's all she would get? "And here I thought ye were goin' ta devour me," she taunted him.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he quietly regarded her. "Why, thank you for the offer." He smirked. "I believe I'll take you up on your hospitality."

His lips touched hers, more firmly this time, his body pressing her into the mattress. His lower body was still cradled between her thighs. He rocked against her, the movement creating a sudden thumping in her center.

"That wasna an invite ta do that," she gasped as he raised his hand to cup her breast. He lowered his head and touched the aching peak with his tongue through the fabric of her chemise. This time it was her hips that rose to press against his.

"Do I need an invitation?" he teased as he did the same to the other breast. "I know how wet you are. And that you want me. I don't need a better invitation."

"Ye seem mighty sure of yerself," she said, unable to keep from arching her back to bring herself closer to his lips. Her hands tangled in his hair.

Suddenly he stilled. "Someone is coming," he whispered. "And it's not me," he groaned as he rolled from atop her body, slid from beneath her counterpane, and pulled his shirt over his head. He had just finished righting his clothing when the bedroom door was flung open with a bang.

Elspeth groaned to herself when she saw Alec MacQuarrie standing in the threshold and pulled the counterpane up to her chin.

"Why do all the men feel like they need ta crowd my bedroom?" she groaned before she pulled the counterpane over her head.

"Because you don't know how to take care of yourself, Elspeth. You have no one, save your friends," MacQuarrie ground out.

"I can take care of myself just fine, thank ye very much," she called from beneath the covers. Then she pulled the counterpane down and peeped over it. "It's no' like he's in bed with me."

"Aye, no' now. But he was a moment ago." Sorcha's tiny voice chirped from her safe place behind Alec.

How could Sorcha possibly know that? Elspeth's face warmed.

MacQuarrie turned to the smallest witch. "He was in bed with her?" His face purpled and his hands balled into fists.

"H-he said it was ta w-warm her up," she stuttered, looking at her feet all the while.

"I can just imagine the kind of warming he was doing," MacQuarrie sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Then he crossed his arms and leveled a stare at his friend.