Page 60 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
“Different how?” Rowena asked, taking a sip of wine.
“Relaxed. Happy, even.”
He saw Rowena considering his words, her gaze drifting around the tavern’s warm interior. “I feel different,” she admitted. “This afternoon... working with ye tae help those families... it felt natural. Like something I was meant tae be daeing.”
Constantine felt something warm unfurl in his chest. “I understand the feeling,” he said simply.
Around them, the tavern’s atmosphere grew more festive as the evening wore on. Someone produced a fiddle, and music joined the mix of voices and laughter. Children darted between the tables, their parents calling after them with affectionate exasperation.
The ale had brought a flush to Rowena’s cheeks and a sparkle to her eyes, and she seemed younger somehow, less burdened by the weight of responsibility she usually carried.
“The mighty Constantine MacLean, brought low by a village celebration,” Rowena said, catching him staring.
“Is that what’s happened?” Constantine asked, leaning closer so he could hear her over the music.
“Ye tell me. Ye’re the one who looks like he’s been struck by lightning.”
Constantine felt his mouth curve in a smile that was becoming easier to summon in her presence. “Maybe I have been.” He took the cup from her hands. “I think ye dinnae need nae more.”
Rowena’s eyes widened slightly at the admission, then she frowned at him. “Ye cannae take me drink away just like that.”
“Cannae I?”
“Yes, ye cannae. Give it back.”
Constantine smirked. “I might, if ye tell me why ye’re guzzlin’ it so.”
Rowena thought hard about it, then she nodded. “It makes me feel at ease.”
“Dae I make ye feel uneasy?”
Rowena’s breath caught, and Constantine could see the pulse fluttering at the base of her throat. “Constantine…”
“Aye?”
“Are ye flirting with me?”
“I believe I am. Is it working?”
Rowena’s smile was answer enough, but she spoke anyway. “Perhaps. Though I should warn ye, I’m out of practice at being flirted with.”
“Then I’ll have tae be extra charming tae make up fer it.”
“Extra charming?” Rowena raised an eyebrow. “That suggests ye’re normally nae charming at all.”
Constantine felt a grin tug at his mouth. “Yer sharp tongue might cut a man.”
“Only if he’s nae quick enough tae dodge,” Rowena replied, her eyes dancing with mischief.
The easy banter felt like a revelation, as if they’d discovered a language they both spoke fluently without realizing it. Constantine had spent so many years being careful with his words, measuring every statement for political advantage, that this playful exchange felt like freedom.
“Dance with me,” she said suddenly.
Constantine blinked in surprise, then he smirked “Here? Now?”
“Why nae? The music’s good, the company’s willing, and I find meself curious about how ye move when ye’re nae pretending tae be some overlord.” She giggled as she said this.
“When ye put it like that, how can I refuse?”
