“Why would I be so foolish to do that when I’m to be ransomed tomorrow?” Slatter asked, shaking his head and hurried into the hut, his arm still firm around Willow.

Slatter went straight to the fire pit in the middle of the small room and stood there with Willow to let the flames’ heat wash over them.

Never had heat felt so welcoming to Willow. She let herself sink against Slatter’s side, her arms going around his waist, her head on his chest, as they both stood there getting warm.

After a few minutes, Slatter peered around the room, spotting what served as a mattress, a straw-stuffed mat and a blanket. He reluctantly moved his arms off Willow. “Wait here a moment.”

She didn’t let go of him. She didn’t want to. She felt safe at his side.

Slatter slipped his fingers underneath her chin and raised her head so he could look in her eyes. He didn’t like that he saw worry there.

“You’re safe. I’m just going to get that stuffed mat and blanket over there,” he said with a nod toward it. “We’ll finally be able to lie down.”

Willow nodded, eager to get off her feet, her legs aching from standing so long.

Slatter felt a pang of emptiness when her arms fell away from him and he turned away from her and scowled. He had never felt that way leaving a woman’s side, but then he had never been so protective of a woman as he was toward Willow.

He hurried and got the mat and blanket close to the fire and when he spied a crock and two tankards near the fire pit, he silently thanked Maddie. He filled both quickly and handed one to Willow.

She sighed after taking a sip. “Hot cider. How wonderful.”

Slatter felt the same way, sipping the hot liquid slowly.

“We must get you beneath the blanket,” Willow said, giving him a little push.

“That eager to cuddle with me?” he teased, his wicked grin surfacing.

“Aye, I am,” she said seriously. “We need warming down to our bones if we are to survive and more so for you since you are naked.”

Slatter leaned down, bringing his face close to hers and whispered, “Your beauty keeps me warm.”

Willow stared at him a moment, then said, “Does that smooth tongue of yours ever stop sweet-talking?”

“Shall we find out, leannan?” he murmured and brought his lips to hers.

Willow felt a spark about to ignite and stepped away from him.

Slatter chuckled. “Afraid of what you feel when I kiss you?”

“It’s not proper for you to do so and I don’t feel anything when you kiss me,” she chastised. “And I’ll have your word that you will not take any more liberties with me.”

“Are you sure that’s what you want, leannan?”

“I’m sure, and you will stop calling me sweetheart,” she ordered and was surprised when she felt a tinge of regret.

“I give you my word that I will take no liberties with you this night.” He held his hand out to her. “But I will not stop calling you leannan, since you truly have a sweet heart.”