Chapter 6

Boyd woke in the dark of night, wondering what time it was.

He'd planned to leave before first light, but he had no idea if he'd been asleep for one hour or four.

What had woken him?

His mind sharpened with the thought, and he started to shift to see if anything was wrong. That's when he noticed the extra weight on his body.

His muscles tensed. Had someone tied him down?

A sigh sounded close to his ear, breath blowing across his cheek. His eyes opened as he realized why he felt…heavier.

Annie was curled into his side, one arm and one leg tossed over his body, her face tucked into his neck.

Shite. She was soft. His arm was around her back, cradling her body to his and for a moment, he tightened his grip. She responded by snuggling deeper into him, her thigh sliding over his stiff cock.

He squeezed his eyes shut again.

This was not what was supposed to happen. This was about Annie's safety. The woman who couldn't even sleep because she was plagued by nightmares of abuse.

She did not need his lust to complicate her situation. He started to slide out from under her, but she shifted closer still, her lush thigh once again rubbing him in the most delicious way.

His teeth clenched, and he used the arm about her to roll her away from him. There was plenty of room, but they were on his side of the bed.

"Boyd," she said in a sleepy murmur that did little to curb the rising desire pulsing through him. What was it about a woman sounding all soft and sleepy that tugged at a man's chest and made him want to growl and pull her close?

"Aye?"

"What time is it?"

"I don't know."

And then she shifted closer again, her hand sliding over his chest and down his torso. "Just a few more minutes, then. It's so dark."

He stilled, caught between enjoying the moment and knowing he shouldn't. Where did enjoying her touch lead? He might have to protect Annie for a while, therefore he needed to keep himself in check.

But that thought led to another. How long would they be together like this? And how could he resist her when she was wrapped about him like a blanket?

"We ought to get up," he rumbled, firmly sliding himself out from under her and going over to stoke the fire.

Then, from his jacket pocket, he pulled out his pocket watch and swore under his breath when he realized it wasn't even two in the morning.

"What's wrong?" Annie lifted her head.

"It's two."

"Good." She laid her head back down. "Come back to bed."

He turned back toward the fire and away from her, adjusting his cock in his breeches.

His plan to share a bed had been flawed. He couldn't allow her to sleep alone, too dangerous. But having her snug against him. It was just too tempting by half.

"Boyd." She lifted her head again. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Was it your turn to have a bad dream?"

"No." It was reality that was giving him trouble.

She waved her hand. "You said it yourself. You need your rest."

He grunted in response because he had said that. And because the bed looked warm and inviting. Fuck, Annie was warm and inviting and so soft and… He leaned over the fire, his hands on the mantel. Tomorrow night, wherever they slept, he'd have to sleep on the floor.

He heard the rustling of the covers, the padding of Annie's feet before her hands slid over his back. "Boyd?"

He flexed under her touch, moving away.

"What's wrong?"

"Ye are supposed to stay on yer side of the bed."

Her hands dropped. "Oh."

He looked back at her then, the firelight dancing of her dark locks, glistening against the strands. "Go back to bed. I'll be there in a moment."

She gave a tentative nod before she climbed back under the covers, pulling the blankets over her body once again.

Pushing off the mantel, he joined her, stiffly settling in the spot next to her, his hands folded over his stomach, as though the formal pose would ward off any intimacy.

But he didn't fall back to sleep. He lay there long after her breath had slowed, and her body had relaxed.

He was awake when she shifted onto her back and then onto her other side and then finally scooted over to him, snuggling against him once again. This time, he didn't get up, but he didn't put an arm around her either.

Annie was not only in danger…but she was also terribly dangerous.

And he had to decide if he was strong enough to resist this particular temptation because right now, he wasn't certain.

* * *

Annie looked at Boyd through her lashes, for what felt like the millionth time over the last six hours.

The silence in the carriage had been near deafening.

He was upset that she'd draped herself across him, last night. That much was clear. And she could only assume, that while many of his touches had been comforting, he did not wish for real intimacy with her.

Which was fine. She'd had this discussion with herself yesterday. Her life was complicated enough.

Except…

Except when she was pressed to Boyd's side, all those worries disappeared and next to him she felt safe, happy even.

Like she wouldn't just be the girl who was always afraid. She might be the woman who loved life, who…

She shook her head. Silly fool. Boyd was already doing so much for her. She ought not pin her hopes and dreams on him too.

She drew in a deep breath of air, catching a salty tinge in her nostrils and on her tongue. "Are we nearing the coast?"

"Yes. Close."

She pulled back a curtain, peaking out the window. "What town is that?"

"Dover." His tone was still clipped, his eyes not meeting hers.

"Is that where we're going?"

Boyd nodded. "That's right. Fulton Smith stops regularly in the harbor there."

Her eyes widened. They were going to seek the Smith's aid after all. Just not in London. It was smart. And as good as she was with tallying numbers, she'd never have thought of it. Swallowing down a lump, she scooted forward in her seat. "I'm sorry for last night. I?—"

"It's no trouble."

She winced, knowing that he didn't mean the words. "It won't happen again."

"Ye're right. Tonight, I'll sleep on the floor."

She shifted in her seat, his words wounding her in unexpected ways. Did he find her that offensive? Or had he just decided she was more trouble than she was worth?

Did it matter? "I should be the one to sleep on the floor."

He scowled at her, there was no other word for it. "Don't be ridiculous."

That was nice, at least.

"I know this is a terrible inconvenience. I'll try my best?—"

"Annie." He scrubbed both hands down his face. "Ye're not an inconvenience. I already told ye I'd help. I…"

And then he stopped.

"You what?"

"I want to be a gentleman here."

Her brow furrowed as she cocked her head to the side studying him. "You were a gentleman. We both know that I was the one who ended up on your side…"

He let out a long sigh. "Ye're beautiful, do you know that?"

"I…I suppose."

"Rather soft."

She blinked back her surprise. Was he trying to say that he was tempted by her? She nearly laughed out loud.

He was right, of course. She'd thought it herself. They ought not to be involved. But just now, it was nice to know he'd neither given up on her nor found her offensive. "And you are very strong and handsome. And perhaps you're right. One of us sleeping on the floor is best."

She sat back in her seat feeling better, but Boyd did not appear appeased. In fact, his look was black as he leaned his elbows on his knees, his gaze boring into hers. "Annie."

There was a warning in his tone she didn't understand at all.

"I think ye should leave England."

Her breath caught. She'd never left England. In fact, she'd lived outside of London her entire life until she'd moved in with her uncle. "For how long?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. And I've even less idea what will happen after. Fulton, he owns a winery in Italy. Makes regular stops in France. He could take ye with him. Ye could just disappear. Or ye could stay with my family in Scotland. They always need help."

Fear stilled her heart for a moment. Leave Boyd? But then she chastised herself. He had to return to his life. He'd left his business already. Granted, he'd been frustrated with the work when she'd met him... "Do you think that's what I should do?"

He shrugged. "It's up to ye, Annie. It's yer future. I'm just attempting to give ye options."

A shiver made her hunch over in her seat as she hugged herself. He was right, she did need a plan. Never her strength. Except, she did have a vague idea about what she wanted this time.

And she appreciated that he'd come up with a few options for her. It wasn't something he'd had to do.

"What will you do if I sail to Italy? Will you return to Scotland or go back to London?"

He dropped his head in his hands. "It doesn't matter. I shouldn't factor into yer decision."

Those words hurt as much as when she thought he didn't find her appealing. "I see."

He leaned back, grimacing. "Make the decision that suits ye best, lass."

She knew what she'd wanted to hear. That he'd go to Scotland with her, stay by her side. It wasn't fair. They'd only just met.

And it wasn't like any man had ever really loved her. Not that she'd ever had a chance to meet one who could. So why would Boyd? But that didn't stop her heart from making some dreamy wish that involved Boyd and a farm and one bed. "I've a little time to think, don't I?"

"Yes. A bit."

She looked back out the window at the ocean as it came into view. She'd never seen anything so vast and limitless and as she watched the water, she just knew that what she wanted most of all was to be tucked into this man's side. Forever.