Highland Knight by Hannah Howell

himself senseless. Not only would it kill his aching need for Avery, if only for a little while, but it would silence that nagging whisper of guilt. Unfortunately, yet another long day of travel faced him, and only a fool would try to face it suffering from the ill effects of a night of drinking.
    Finally, when he felt Avery had been allowed enough privacy, he rose and entered his tent. The sight of her lying in his rough bed knotted his stomach with unquenched desire. He wanted to tear his clothes off, climb into that bed, and bury himself deep insideher. He wanted to touch and taste every slim inch of her golden body. He wanted to hear her cry out his name as her body trembled with release.
    Not surprised to feel his heart pounding and his hands sweating, Cameron cursed and stripped down to his loincloth. He briefly washed up, crawled in beside her, and tied her wrist to his with a length of soft linen. Even in the darkness he could feel her glaring at him.
    “Ye didnae really think ye could escape today, did ye?” he asked, shifting closer to her so that their sides were lightly touching. When he felt her tremble, he smiled grimly. He had no intention of suffering this torment alone.
    “One must grab opportunity when it presents itself,” she replied, cursing silently when she realized there was no room to move, that she had to endure the heady feel of his warm, strong body touching hers.
    “Without food, water, blankets, or a horse?”
    “Aye. We could have found most of what we needed as we traveled.”
    He ignored that boast. “And in a land filled with an old, powerful enemy?”
    “It appears Scotland isnae exactly brimming o’er with friends and allies, either.”
    He rolled, pinning her beneath him. “I am not your enemy, Avery.”
    “Och, nay, of course not. How foolish of me. ’Tis friendship that has ye planning to shame me and use that against my clan.”
    “And if someone hurt one of your family, ye would forgive all and do naught but say a few prayers for his soul, would ye?”
    “I wouldnae use the innocent to try and punish the guilty. Not that my brother is guilty.”
    Cameron sighed and kissed her. The way she so quickly and fiercely responded to him made him shake with need. Her nipples hardened, pressing against his chest and begging to be tasted. She arched against him, her whole lithe body revealing that she shared his passion. He was not surprised to find himself panting like a hard-run horse when he ended the kiss and raised himself up enough to stare down at her. There was some satisfaction in seeing that she was breathing just as hard. He knew he could take her now, that her own desire would betray her in his arms. It was madness to keep denying himself but he would do so. He wanted her to say “aye,” needed her to be willing.
    “How can ye keep denying what flames between us?” he asked, flopping onto his back at her side.
    “What is between us is your need for revenge.”
    “’Tis nay revenge that has me sweating and shaking like a mon with the ague. Or ye.”
    “Me? Nay. I am as cool and calm as a placid loch on a still summer’s eve.” She ignored his contemptuous snort of amusement “Ye willnae use me to hurt my kinsmen.”
    “Just one—Payton.”
    “I will fight as hard to save my brother as ye will to save your sister. Good sleep, Sir Cameron,” she added quietly when he made no reply; then she struggled to cool her heated blood so that she could rest.
    “Ye will give in, Avery,” he said after several minutes. “’Tis too strong to fight for long.”
    “Mayhap,” she conceded, “but I still willnae let ye use me against my brother.”
    Cameron could not believe how excited he got over the word mayhap . It was noconcession. Yet, it was more than she had offered so far. Closing his eyes and forcing his body to calm itself, he reached out for sleep. On the morrow he would increase his efforts to break her will, press her until that mayhap became an aye. He