Forever Her Champion by Suzan Tisdale Page B

her father still amongst the living? Would he want anything to do with her after all these years? Worse still, what would become of her if he sent her away again? Would she spend the rest of her life in search of that loving home she wanted with such desperation?
    Nay, she could not think of those things right now. It made her heart ache to think Lachlan MacAllistair would turn her away.
    But thinking of Aiden left her no better off. He may have done something ugly in the past, however, she decided it mattered not. As he had said on more than one occasion, the past should remain in the past. To a certain extent, she believed him. But not when it came to her father.
    What of Aiden’s future? What were his plans? Did he have a loving young woman waiting for him somewhere? Thus far, he had made no mention of such a person, but that did not mean she did not exist. Something akin to jealousy set in and it made Rianna question her soundness of mind. She had no claim to him, no right to feel the least little bit jealous. So what if he had kissed her? Two kisses did not a lifetime commitment make.
    Yet, what if there were no such person? What if he was content to roam aimlessly about the countryside? Would she be able to change his mind?
    Change his mind? What was she thinking? First of all, she had no idea how his mind was set about the future. Secondly, she had no claim on it. Deciding her meandering thoughts were merely the result of the two delightfully sinful kisses she had shared with him and nothing more, she tried to push the thoughts aside. ’Twas a long while however, before she was finally able to succumb to exhaustion and sleep.

4
    F or the first time since his childhood, Aiden Macgullane slept peacefully, uninterrupted by nightmares that left him fighting for breath and covered in sweat. Instead, he dreamt of his youth, of his life before his mother’s passing. Of the time before his life began to unravel like a loose thread pulled from an old blanket until nothing was left.
    When he woke, Rianna was once again tucked safely in his embrace, her bottom nestled dangerously close to his groin. He had his arms wrapped around her protectively as he held her tightly to his chest. Try as he might, he could not remember her coming to him during the night. She must have grown cold and sought him out for warmth. She must also possess the stealthy qualities of a cat-o-mountain for he was always alert, even in sleep. One never knew who might creep up on him in the dark of night to end his life. He knew these things from his own personal experience at taking a man’s life while he slept.
    The sun was just making an appearance on the horizon with just a hint of sunlight against the deep blue sky. The moon waned in the morning and even the birds were still asleep. The fire from the night before was cold, not even a wisp of smoke remained. Yet he was as warm as if he had slept in a feather bed with a roaring fire in the hearth.
    I could get accustomed to this, he dared let his heart speak to his mind. Closing his eyes, he drifted off to sleep.
    Dawn’s early light had come and gone when next he opened his eyes. Rianna was still in his arms, but now, she rested with her head against his chest. One of her arms was tossed over his, the blankets pulled up to her neck. With all his being he wished he could remain where he was in this blissful, peaceful moment. With his heart near to bursting with contentment and joy. Without moving, he listened to the sound of her soft, steady breathing. He drew in her scent: a blend of fresh air and a hint of her marigold soap. When his loins began to stir with the image of making long, slow love to her, he knew he must leave her side. ‘Twould do neither of them any good for him to lose himself to passion or lust.
    What Rianna needed most was a home. A safe and loving home that, unfortunately, he would be unable to give her. Nay, the last thing she needed was a former assassin haunted by a