Willow shook her head. “You never stop trying to charm.”

“And you forever refuse compliments,” he said and his hand shot out to snatch hers. “Now let’s do something that has been denied us… sleeping on what serves as a mattress.”

Willow couldn’t stop herself from smiling. She slipped her hand out of Slatter’s, placed her tankard near the fire pit, and hurried off her cloak and placed it on top of the blanket that was folded partial down along the mat.

Slatter placed his tankard beside Willow’s and helped her to sink down on the mat, then he joined her. They slipped under the blanket together and Slatter turned on his side and eased Willow on her side so he could wrap himself around her.

She didn’t protest when his arm fell across her chest just beneath her breasts and he tucked her back against him tightly. Or when he draped his leg over hers, locking it firmly around her. She wanted him there wrapped snug against her, sharing his warmth, feeling his strength, feeling safe.

Neither spoke as the heat settled around and through them and as Willow drifted off, Slatter whispered near her ear, “Liar. My kiss stirred your passion and you enjoyed it.”

Willow woke wrapped comfortably and toasty warm in Slatter’s arms the next morning. She didn’t want to move; she was far too comfortable.

“You slept well?”

Willow turned her head up to look at him. He was a feast for the eyes. A woman would never grow tired of looking at him. And those dark eyes of his, Lord, could they seduce with just one glance, pulling a woman in, stroking her, stirring her to passion-filled madness. She inwardly shook her head at her crazy thoughts.

“Aye, I slept well,” she said, trying not to look in his eyes.

“Why do you ignore the obvious?” he asked, taking hold of her chin and forcing her eyes to meet his.

“What do you mean?” she asked with feigned innocence.

Slatter smiled. “You are far from an ignorant woman. You know exactly what I mean, but I’ll say it for you. Why do you ignore and refuse to admit even to yourself that you’re attracted to me?”

Willow sighed and did the reasonable thing, spoke the truth. “You’re right, I am attracted to you, but what woman isn’t? You have the finest features I have ever seen on a man and your tongue charms a woman senseless. You were also right when you called me a liar last night. I did enjoy your kiss. And you are right that I am far from an ignorant woman. You have many things a woman desires, but there is one thing I want in a man you can’t give me.”

Slatter grinned that wickedly sensual smile. “I doubt that.”

“Really?” she asked with a wicked smile of her own. “What of love? Can you pledge your undying love to me and promise me you will love me and only me forever?”