Desire swam in his gray eyes…along with fear. If he could, Conor would keep her locked within the McTiernay Castle walls forever.

Laurel leveled her eyes at him. They were dark like a North Sea storm. When she reached for her wrap and put it on, Conor knew his plans for the night had just been placed on hold.

They were both strong-willed, and arguments were inevitable. And while their quarrels were numerous, rarely were they truly heated as long as two simple rules were followed. Laurel hid her displeasure until they were alone, and Conor promised to hear her side before exploding. A clear signal for him to prepare and control his temper was the wrapper.

Conor walked in and unhooked his belt to hang it over the never-used arch chair against the wall. He did so patiently, not saying a word. It had been a hard lesson to learn to keep quiet when Laurel was angry. And any attempt to soften her mood with sweet words made things worse, not better. And questions like “What’s wrong?” or “What did I do?” only excited her anger by many levels.

Laurel watched him unwrap his plaid, fold it, and lay the cloth beside her brush on the bench. “Dunlop seemed to be fairly prickly this evening at dinner.”

Uh-oh, Conor thought, remembering his momentary loss of control at the table. He knew then that Laurel would call him on it later, and later was now.

“Aye,” Conor replied, continuing to undress.

Laurel took in a deep breath and committed herself. “I think you should help Colin,” she stated, waiting for the explosion.

Conor scowled but did not reply.

Laurel knew instantly her assumptions had been right. The man had multiple types of scowls, ranging from irritation to frustration. Tonight, his face resembled a stone surface, utterly unbending. Conor wore it every time their argument was about her safety.

“You don’t know what he is asking, Laurel,” Conor eventually countered.

“You are correct, I don’t know. But I do know that your brother has been through much this past year after the death of his wife. I expect his marriage to Makenna Dunstan was not exactly what he wanted, but what was needed. Colin is a prideful man. He would only come to you if it was important.”

Laurel could tell her arguments had not swayed her husband in the slightest. She rallied her resolve and continued. “Colin is family, Conor, and I know how protective you are of what’s yours. I also know the reason why you are so stubbornly refusing your brother and infuriating Dunlop is because of me. And I won’t have it. I lost my family. I will not let you lose yours. Not because of your incurable need to protect me from nothing.”

Conor made a low, growling sound deep in his throat, venting his frustration. “Your brother was a fool to disown you, and you have a family now. I am your family. My brothers and the twins are your family. And my ‘incurable need’ to keep you safe, as you put it, is something you will just have to live with. For not a day goes by that I forget how close I came to losing you. And I will not ever come that close to hell again.”

Laurel gave him a challenging smile. “You are changing the topic, Conor. You will not win this battle under the guise of ‘I will not lose you.’ How is it that you can rationalize helping our neighbor, Laird Schellden, but you will not leave to aid your brother?”

Conor came to a sudden halt and rounded on her, his expression grave and serious. “If it were just me Colin sent for, there wouldn’t be a problem.”

Laurel stared, not comprehending. “What do you mean, if it were just you? Why else would Dunlop be here if it were not for you?”

Conor remained silent and looked intently into her eyes, watching them widen in surprise and trepidation. He knew the instant she understood what he had meant.

“Colin wants m…me? But why me? How can I help him?” Laurel stammered as understanding dawned on her. Conor was not afraid to leave her alone, but to take her with him.

Conor let go of her shoulders and moved to sit on the bed, burying his face in his hands. “He thinks you can help his new wife. Colin is certain you and Makenna are much alike and enjoy the same things.”

“If I remember right, he was quite vocal against some of my habits,” Laurel interjected.

“You remember right. It seems he has had to adjust his position some since his last visit.”

“I must admit I am surprised. Lady Makenna must be a remarkable woman to bring about such a change.”

“Dunlop believes Colin is in love with her.”

“But what can I do?” Laurel asked, sitting down beside him on the soft mattress.

“You were right in that Colin was not eager to marry again. Makenna was also disinclined, but agreed for the sake of her clan. Unfortunately, her people have strong feelings about a Highlander as their laird. Some are openly hostile. Colin has a plan to unite them under his rule as well as solidify alliances with neighboring lairds.”

“But that does not explain why he wants me.”

“It seems as though Colin’s new wife has had very little support and is new to managing staff. From what Dunlop tells me, Lady Makenna is more accustomed to training with men than running a keep.”

“Training with the soldiers?”

“Aye, that’s my sentiments. He also related that she has made admirable progress in learning her duties as a lady and providing for her clan. What she lacks is another female’s perspective on her accomplishments, someone who can provide insight on how to handle a few rebellious incidents and reinforce her overall confidence. And as I have told Dunlop over and over again, that is not enough reason to risk my family traveling into a hostile environment.”

“Then why is Dunlop forcing the issue?”

“Because Colin told him to. My brother knew exactly what my reaction would be. But what he failed to realize was that on this matter I will not relent. Colin will just have to fare on his own.”

With the whole story finally revealed, Laurel sat for several moments thinking. The solution was obvious, but she would have to use some of those devious ploys she had just told Aileen were not her style. Only for my family, she rationalized to herself.

Clapping her hands on her legs, Laurel rose and walked over to the basin to wash her face. “Well, you are certainly right about the twins,” she began offhandedly. “They are not leaving the safety of their home. I will have to see if Brighid is available to look after them while we are gone.”

Conor felt his temper start to slip again. “No, Laurel, I won’t discuss it. You are not going. I forbid it.”

Laurel visibly bristled. She patted her face dry and gave him her most withering stare as she returned to his side. “It would be wise not to dictate what I can and cannot do. If I recall, this approach has not worked well for you in the past.”

Conor found himself mesmerized by her swirling deep blue and gray eyes, flashing with indignation. Lord, he loved her. “Threatening me has not worked in your favor either, love,” he lightly countered.

Laurel exhaled and let him maneuver her between his legs. “You’re insufferable when you are right,” she retorted, gently slapping his shoulder.

Conor smiled. She had called him insufferable. Her strange pet endearment indicated she was not going to fight him about staying in the Highlands. He had won.

Laurel took a step back and slowly unlaced her wrap, throwing it on the chair nearest to her. Her thin chemise did little to shield her body from his view. The scooped neck hinted at the pale skin it covered, her hidden breasts rising up and down with each breath.

Conor moved to stretch out on the feather mattress as he felt himself harden. Just looking at her gave him intense pleasure.

Laurel moved slowly to the edge of the bed. Conor watched her chemise fall to her waist and then to the floor. She threw her hair back over her shoulder, revealing the soft, vulnerable curve of her neck. God help him, she was driving him to distraction.

Laurel slipped underneath the covers and moved to his side. “Conor, it will be very hard leaving the twins. I don’t think we should be gone for more than a few weeks. Four at the most.”

Conor pulled back from the soul-searing kiss he was about to plant on her lips. “You are not going, Laurel.”

Reaching up, she stroked her fingers lightly through his dark hair. Then turned to fluff the pillow and snuggle closer to him. “I’m too tired to pack this evening. Glynis can help me get ready in the morning. Oh, and I will need some time to discuss the twins with Brighid. I think I can probably be ready after the noon meal,” she finished, reaching up to place small kisses along his chin and lips.

“Laurel…” Conor began, pulling her shoulder so that she faced him once again.

Undaunted, Laurel asked, “Is it possible for Finn to stay behind? Since you will be with me, I would like him as well as your brothers to remain here with the twins until we return.”

“I told you—”

Laurel put a finger against his lips. “And I was thinking, if there is time, I would like to stop by your favorite spot—remember the one you showed me near Stirling Castle?”

Conor did remember. He remembered everything about the trip where he rescued and fell in love with her on his journey home. Part of which included a quick stop at one of his favorite respites. They had not made love there, but he had mentally vowed never to miss the opportunity ever again.

All he could do was nod as the mental vision of her naked on the private cliff danced in his mind.

Laurel beamed him a mischievous smile. “And I thought this time, we can do more than just look at the view….”

Conor swore to convince her to stay home in the morning as he rolled her beneath him and began to press hot kisses down the column of her neck. Reaching her ear, he described in erotic detail what he intended to do to her. Laurel moaned and moved closer, and Conor knew that at last the conversation was over and his original plans for the evening had begun.