Highlander's Caress: Medieval Romance (The Fae Book 2) by Joanne Wadsworth

cinched waist and flowing hips.
    “I’ve been searching for you all day.” Palms planted on the wall either side of her head, he caged her in.
    “And now you’ve found me. It also appears you’ve arrived just in time to join me for the evening meal.” An impish grin lifted her lips. “Unless of course you’re chasing another lass, other than me.”
    “You compelled me, forced me to allow your leaving. You even demanded I see you as naught more than an annoyance until I chose to see the truth and accept it.”
    “That I did.”
    “If you ever try to compel me again in such a way again, I’ll, I’ll—” Anger and frustration collided deep within him. All he wanted to do was toss her over his shoulder and cart her to a private room where he could ensure she understood exactly how much he wanted her, only they needed to talk before they ever took that next step. “You’re a handful, my grumpy one, but you’re still my handful all the same. I cannae lose you.”
    “What of the secrets you hold?”
    “We’ll speak of them.”
    “That sounds promising.”
    “Your voice also sounds stronger. There’s barely any rasp at all.”
    “I just enjoyed a hot cup of tea with honey and ’twas a most soothing drink.” She ran a finger down the front of his chest and molded his damp blue tunic to his skin, her gentle touch searing him like a brand and making fire race across his flesh. “I found Ethan and spoke to him.”
    “Where? When?”
    “Here, and no’ long after my arrival. Come inside and we’ll speak all about what’s happened.” She ducked under his arm, opened the front door and walked inside.
    He followed her as she weaved around the screened tables holding patrons, the main room lit by a roaring fire and candles flickering atop the tables. In the far darkened corner where little firelight reached, she sat on the bench seat and wriggled along to make more room for him. He eased in next to her, a screen at their back and the two corner walls forming the other two sides of their booth.
    Gently, he caught her hand, the long lace-edged sleeves of her gown draping over her wrists as he tangled his fingers with hers. “Last eve,” he began, “you lay in my arms without a stitch of clothing on. I want that again this night, to have you in my bed.”
    “That all depends on our coming conversation. First we need to talk about Ethan and Gavin. I’ve successfully compelled Gavin. He seeks shelter elsewhere until this storms breaks, then once the weather clears, he’ll continue on to Dunscaith Castle where I’ll meet him and my brother. Ethan and I will ensure Gavin is stopped, that you’ll never come under attack from him again, that his chief ensures it too.”
    “I’ll never allow you to travel to Dunscaith alone. You’re my mate.” He raised her fingertips to his lips. “Never will you leave me again.”
    “’Tis quite normal for the males within the bond to worry about their women in such a way, although I know how to look after myself, have done so for a very long time. There is no need to worry about me. Instead, let’s clear the air between us. You have secrets you need to share and I wish to hear them this night.”
    “Trust does no’ come easy for me, Ella. I want your word that what I share with you will go no further than us.”
    “Of course.” She gripped his shirtfront, tugged him closer, all rosy-cheeked as she breathed fast. “I’ve already told Ethan about our bond taking form and he of course guessed you must hold fae blood somewhere in your line, just as I already have. He’ll never speak of it to another. You can trust him with your secrets, just as you can trust me.”
    “None of my men are aware I hold fae blood, other than for Hamish, and that is the way it needs to stay.” Through the front door, his men trailed in and a serving maid showed them to their tables. “There’s to be no word spoken about our bond with them. Understood?”
    “Aye,