Page 45 of Moon Craving

"You surprise me, lass."

"Perhaps that is a good thing." She could not believe her own temerity, but Abigail

felt freer than she had since waking to a silent world as a terrified young girl.

"Aye." He looked quite serious. "I believe it is. I would not have you eaten, lass."

"The Highlanders are cannibals, then?" she asked with undisguised humor,

knowing they were no such thing.

He stared at her as if seeing her for the first time. "Nay, but my clanspeople have

little tolerance for weakness."

"You think I am weak?" She did not know why his judgment should surprise her so.

She worked hard not to be noticed; it would be a true shock should he realize the woman

under the exterior. So, rather than be offended by his assessment, she found in it her own

private joke.

Though in this case, she did not let him see that.

"There is much fear in you."

She could not deny that. She lived in daily terror. "I am not afraid right now."

"I can see that."

"I was afraid when I thought you would bed me with brutal expediency," she

admitted, still grateful he had not done so.

"Aye. You were terrified." No worry at that truth showed on his features, yet he had

protected her.

"You alleviated my fear."

He shrugged, causing her body to move against his.

Quite unsettled, she gasped. "I have not been this close to another person since

my sister left our home."

"No one else will hold you thus."

No, really? She was no wanton to allow another man to touch her. She rolled her

eyes at him, but then had a thought. "I will hug Emily when I see her again."

"You dare to defy me?" Was that a twitch at the corner of his lips?

"In this instance, yes."

"If you think to let another man touch you . . ." He let the rest of his clear threat