Tossing and turning proved fruitless for Sheona that night, considering she did not have enough rope to sufficiently turn over. Beside her, a lightly snoring Malcolm MacDonald infuriated her more with each breath he took. She never realized how much one single person could irritate her. It was like he said and did things for the sole purpose of tormenting her.

Nestled in the Black Cullins, they had made camp hours ago and only she was still awake. Well, she and the guards.

To make matters worse, she was parched from lying so close to the fire and in order to find some water, she’d have to wake him. She tried her best to sit up without stirring him and cringed when she bumped his leg. His arm came around as if to cradle her and because she was sitting, hit the ground instead. He was upright in a flash staring at his arm and her.

“Where are you going?”

Sheona lifted the rope and dropped it again. “I am unable to go anywhere, my lord MacDonald. You have seen to it that I cannot even acquire water.”

He swiped his hand down across his face and called out to the man on guard. “Bring the lady some water, Connor.”

“You needn’t have bothered him or anyone else. I am perfectly capable of getting my own water when I am not tethered like an animal.”

“And you wouldn’t have to be, if you had not tried to escape.”

Connor came over with a skin of water from which she drank deeply. Once the water hit her belly she realized how hungry she was. Her stomach let out a mighty growl. Having refused food earlier was not smart on her part; she realized that now. In order for her to be fed, poor Connor would be bothered further. If MacDonald wasn’t so stubborn, she could simply get to the food stores herself.

“And hungry too? What kind of meal times do you keep at Dunvegan? Hungry and thirsty in the middle of the night when decent men are asleep?”

“I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“That you are not a decent man. ’Tis the middle of the night, and you are awake.”

His jaw dropped and the corners of his mouth quivered as if he held back a smile. “Only because indecent ladies have awoken me.”

“I did not wake you. You woke yourself from snoring.”

“I—what?”

Sheona had to bite back her own smile at the look of incredulity on his face. He opened his mouth twice and closed it again. Without another word, he untied the rope from his waist and stood. She was surprised when he tossed the end to Connor.

“Don’t let her out of your sight for even a second. She’s a trickster like the faeries in the glen.”

Malcolm strode away, leaving her sitting by the fire with her wrists still bound. Insufferable man. So he could come and go as he pleased and she just had to sit there until he came back to ask for food? Well she would not. She’d rather starve than accept anything from him. She lay back down, turned toward the fire and closed her eyes.

Moments later his footfalls signified his approach. She knew his footsteps now? He really had gotten under her skin.

He sat behind her and rustled something. It didn’t take long for her to hear him tearing something and less time still for the aroma to hit her nose. He’d gotten some meat. Her stomach growled again and he chuckled.

“I’ve known many stubborn women in my life, but none who would starve themselves over it. If you wish to eat, you will have to sit up and accept what I offer you.”

Insufferable lout. Having no other choice, she sat up and turned to him. Connor was long gone and the rope lay at her feet untethered to anything. She looked at it and him and raised an eyebrow in question.

“Do not worry, lass. I will bind you to me again once I see to your needs.” His blue eyes twinkled as he grinned at her.

Malcolm tore off some meat and positioned it in front of her mouth. She reached for it, but he swatted her hands away.

“You will take the meat from my hand or you will not eat.”

“That is not necessary, my lord.” She did not want to have his fingers anywhere near her mouth.

“Aye. It is and I insist. You will eat from my hand or you will not eat. Open up or else I will end up with two meals and you with none.”

Sheona regarded him for sincerity. He showed no hint of mirth and so she could only surmise he was serious. If she could take the meat without him touching her, she might be able to get through this and get back to sleep without mortification. When he’d kissed her earlier, her legs had all but turned to mush. His proximity sent her insides quivering.

“Open now, Lady Sheona. Last chance.”

Reluctantly, she did just that. His gaze dropped to her mouth and he hesitated just a moment before placing the meat past her lips. His finger traced her bottom lip and pushed her chin up to close her mouth. She chewed slowly and was mesmerized by watching him watch her. The meat turned out to be ptarmigan, her favourite fowl.

After she swallowed, she opened her mouth again and waited. His lips parted, but he did not offer more.

“I am still hungry, my lord.”

“I am hungry too.” His voice was a rough whisper.

Still, he tore off more meat and placed it in her mouth. By the time her belly was full, a different kind of hunger had overtaken her—the kind that craved more contact with him. Behind her, the fire crackled and inside her it blazed. She had never known the simple act of being fed could stir such wild desires within her.

“Lady Sheona, I want to taste you again.”

The moment she opened her mouth to speak, his lips covered hers. Their earlier kiss had been slow to build; this one was frantic, tongues tangling and breath ragged. How long they kissed, she couldn’t be sure, but by the time he broke away and trailed his hot mouth down her neck, she was lying on her back with him partly on top of her.

Sheona opened her eyes and the realization of where they were flooded her mind. She quickly looked around and was relieved to find none of the other clansmen looking their way. She prayed they still slept. When his hand reached down to pull up the hem of her gown, she stopped him.

He raised his head to look into her eyes and she shook her head. “Please no,” she whispered.

She shoved her gown back down and tried to turn on her side, but he would not let her. He leaned close to her ear and kissed the sensitive skin just beneath.

“I will have you, Lady Sheona.” His voice was soft and low making her body quiver with need.

“The only man who will have me is my husband.”

“You do not have a husband, my lady. And now that you are my prisoner, it will be up to me who you wed.”

She gasped. Was that what he intended? To bring her back to Knock Castle to be wed? And did that mean he intended her to wed him?

“Only my father can say who I will wed.”

“By the time your father realizes who has you, Lady Sheona, you will be wedded and properly bedded.”

“You cannot do this. You cannot force me.”

“Oh lass, I can do whatever I want with ye. You’re my prisoner and as such, mine to do with as I please. And it pleases me to have you for my own.”

Sheona pushed him back and sat up. “No! A MacDonald will not abuse me like my aunt was. You are right; I have no say in my fate as your prisoner, but I decide who I marry. There is no priest on the Isles who will force a lass to wed someone under these circumstances. So you will have to ask my father if you wish to wed me and when you do, he will ask what I want.”

His eyes narrowed on her. “Under the circumstances, and considering the extent of the loss your father just suffered, he will be willing to do anything to secure his future, and yours.”

MacDonald secured her rope to him again and lay down with a smirk on his face. Damn the man! Sheona sat up for as long as she could until exhaustion forced her to lie down. She turned her back to him and closed her eyes. Somewhere between consciousness and slumber, she thought she heard him whisper, “Mine.”

* * *

With the morning light, came frustration anew from his irresistible prisoner. She’d spent the first part of the night tugging and pulling on the rope as much as she could. The only purpose he could see for her behaviour was to aggravate him. They still had a good few miles to travel and so had begun at first light. It was nearing noon and she was again rigid as a post, sitting in front of him on his horse.

She was correct in that no priest would force her into marriage. But her father would definitely think twice before rejecting the proposal he intended to craft. The only person standing in his way was his father. The current chief was a force to be reckoned with, and his hatred of the MacLeods was as sharp as the peaks of the Black Cullins. A peace treaty through marriage had been attempted in the past, but Malcolm knew it had been tried with the wrong man. His father was not capable of peace unless it was forced upon him. Few would have the capability to make this happen. Malcolm was certain he was one of the few.

Now that they were away from the mountains, he urged his horse into a faster gallop. The closer they drew to Knock Castle, the more determined he was to see it done—make her his.

Last eve, he’d been ready to take her right there. All sense and reason had escaped him when she responded to his kisses. For an inexperienced and unused lass, she’d displayed a passion that was intoxicating.

Malcolm shifted in the saddle. The last thing he needed was an erection he couldn’t ease for several hours.

“When might we stop to rest?”

Her question broke through his lascivious thoughts. “Soon. We have many miles to make up yet.”

“I need to rest, my lord. I am not accustomed to so much time in a saddle.”

“Are you not? Your father keeps you locked away in the castle, does he?”

“He does no such thing. I have no reason to ride for longer than a couple of hours at a time as the villages I visit are all nearby.”

“You’ve never ridden for longer than two hours? Have you never travelled farther?” He was surprised to hear it. Even his own sisters had travelled to Inverness.

“Until now, the farthest I’ve travelled is to the mountains.”

There was sadness in her tone he didn’t understand. Did she wish to travel and her father would not let her? He slowed their pace and stopped near a stream. Malcolm dismounted and reached for her. Holding her by the waist, he pulled her off the horse, but did not let go when she was on her feet. Her arms rested on his shoulders and she stared up at him with wide eyes. God’s teeth, but she was lovely.

Her brown hair flamed when the light hit it. He wanted to bury his face in it while he thrust hard inside her.

“Let me go, my lord.”

“Never.” He leaned down and captured her lips. She tasted of sweet berries and his restraint had reached its limit. He cupped the back of her head and kept her still while he ravaged her mouth. When her tongue meekly met his, a shiver raced up his spine. If he did not stop immediately, he wouldn’t be able to.

Malcolm broke the kiss and leaned back. Her cheeks were crimson and her eyes were glazed.

“You are so lovely, Sheona MacLeod.”

The moment he spoke her name he could see her withdraw. She pulled back out of his arms and turned away trailing her rope behind her. He had not tied her to anything yet and was about to follow when Keith approached. She walked slowly to a large tree and sat by the trunk.

“I see you still torment the lass.”

Malcolm was frustrated enough to want to wipe the smirk off Keith’s face.

“I see you are trying to cause trouble, as usual.”

Keith shook his head and raised his hands. “Who me? I wouldn’t even think of it. But I must say, she is a bonnie creature.” He looked at Sheona and back to Malcolm with a grin. “Do you think she will let me court her?”

“You will go nowhere near her!”

Keith laughed outright and placed his hand on Malcolm’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t dream of it, my friend. As you say, I am merely causing trouble. I wondered how enchanted you were with her, and now I know.”

“I am not smitten.”

“Oh aye, you are. You have that lovesick look in your eye. It’s rather pathetic, my friend.”

“Keith, I’m warning you. I am in no mood for your jesting this day.”

“And nor should you be. We have just struck the MacLeods with a vicious blow, and to add insult, you’ve captured the chief’s daughter.” His face held no mirth. “I would be worried if you were in the mood for jesting.”

Keith was right. They had much to do and could afford no time for dalliance. Once they returned to Knock Castle, they would prepare for the inevitable retaliation. But Malcolm also needed to set his plan into motion.

“You are right. We waste precious time here.”

Without waiting for a reply, Malcolm strode to Sheona and grabbed the rope. “Your rest is over, Lady Sheona. It is time to go.”

He started walking away without waiting for her to stand. Once he got so far, the rope brought up. He turned back to find her still sitting and scowling at him.

“Do not make me carry you, my lady. You will not like it.” Then again. “Or perhaps that is your wish.”

Her eyes widened and she jumped to her feet. He grinned as she held her head high and walked past him and mounted the horse without his assistance.

“If I had my way, my lord, I would ride this beast myself and you would walk the rest of the way so I would not have to touch you at all.”

Because it would no doubt irritate her, once in the saddle, he slid as far forward as possible so she had no choice but to feel every inch of his thighs and chest. With her bottom pressed hard against him, in no time his erection raged again. She hadn’t spoken a word. In the end he suspected he’d only succeeded in irritating himself.