Page 55 of The Outlaw's Bride
He’d bent his head and kissed her then, a soft, lingering touch that still made fire curl in the pit of Adaira’s belly. She’d reached up, her fingertips tracing the line of his stubbled jaw.
Last night had seemed like a dream, but this kiss told her it wasn’t so.
However, disappointingly, Lachlann had ended the kiss and risen to his feet. Reaching down, he’d helped Adaira up and brushed leaves out of her hair. “We’d better make a start if ye want to reach Duntulm by nightfall.”
He’d turned away then, and crossed to the stallion, readying it to ride out. As soon as his back was turned, Adaira had hurriedly smoothed out her kirtle and brushed more oak leaves from her cloak. She’d suddenly felt self-conscious about her appearance and knew she must look disheveled after sleeping rough.
Lachlann, on the other hand, had never looked more attractive to her. She’d longed to step forward and press herself up against him, to tangle her fingers in his hair as she had the night before.
Now, perched behind Lachlann, she was acutely aware of the strength of his back, the breadth of his shoulders, and the play and flex of the muscles in his thighs.
They rode along the narrow road that hugged Skye’s north-eastern coast. They left MacLeod lands, riding through the smaller territories belonging to the MacNichols and the MacQueens, before entering MacDonald territory. It was a wild, bare coastline battered by prevailing winds. They passed coastal hamlets, where locals fished the cold waters of the Sound of Raasay, and long stretches of stony beaches where puffins nested. And all the while, a chill wind whipped in from the north, bringing with it the promise of winter.
Adaira was glad of the warmth of Lachlann’s body against hers, and of the fact that he sheltered her from the wind. The air bit at her exposed flesh this morning.
They stopped at noon, resting the horse and taking a meal of bread and cheese upon the rocks—supplies Lachlann had picked up in Kiltaraglen.
Lachlann’s cheeks were flushed with exertion and cold as he handed Adaira her food. “That’s the last of it,” he announced. “We’ll both be hungry by the time we reach Duntulm.”
Adaira smiled. She tried to catch his eye, but he looked away. Was she imagining it or did he seem tense, distracted?
“Caitrin will make sure we eat well, don’t worry,” she assured him.
Lachlann sat down on the sun-warmed rock beside her. “Ye are very close to yer sisters, aren’t ye?”
Adaira nodded. “We are friends as much as siblings … I miss them both.”
A shadow passed across his face, and Adaira grew still. “What is it?”
He shrugged. “Ye are fortunate. Ye have seen how things are in my family.”
“Aye … why don’t ye get on with yer brothers?”
Lachlann snorted. “Ye have met them. Lucas is a scheming bastard and the other two aren’t much better.”
Adaira huffed. “Lucas will inherit now.”
“Aye,” he growled, frowning. “Don’t remind me.”
Adaira watched him, her own brow furrowing. She knew how ambitious he’d been. It was difficult to let go of such things.
“What will ye do now?” she asked softly. “Now that ye have given all that up.” Her pulse raced as she waited for his response. Last night had changed everything between them; suddenly she had to know what his plans were.
Their gazes fused and held, tension rising between them. Adaira’s heart started to thunder against her ribs now.
Lachlann tore his gaze away and looked out across the sound. “I don’t know,” he said roughly. “My focus for the moment is keeping ye safe.”
Adaira swallowed. She hadn’t taken a bite of her bread and cheese, for her stomach had suddenly closed. “And after that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lachlann’s attention swiveled to her once more. “Things will change soon, Adaira … once we reach Duntulm, we won’t be free to act as we please.”
Adaira drew in a deep, steadying breath. “What are ye saying?”
He held her eye. “I won’t find a warm welcome with yer sister. I’m an outlaw … she’ll want rid of me.”
“We won’t have to stay with Caitrin long,” Adaira countered, her voice rising slightly. “We don’t have to wait. We could cross to the mainland immediately.”
“And go where? Ye know Gylen Castle isn’t a safe choice.”
