Page 14 of A Bridge Through Time
Ashley woke during the night and managed to rouse Cailin enough to give him more aspirin. He seemed more comfortable and no longer shivered. When she lay down again, Cailin wrapped his good arm around her back and drew her closer to his side. God, he smelled good…it was a smell she’d become familiar with, after seeing him so often at home. Pine, leather, wood smoke, and horses. Don’t read too much into this,she warned herself. He doesn’t even know you’re here.
TWELVE
The sun shining through the windows woke Ashley the following morning, and it took a minute to remember where she was. When recollection came, she sat up and studied the room. It didn't look much better in the light of day. She checked the fire, which was now just a bunch of ash and embers in the hearth. The morning was chilly and she was about to get up when Cailin's arm coiled around her and pulled her back down to him. He was muttering something she couldn't understand, but she certainly didn't mind her head resting on his solid chest. She could hear his heart beating a steady rhythm beneath her ear, and she gave in to the urge to wrap her arm around his waist and for good measure her leg possessively over his thighs.This is very nice. I could stay like this forever.
Ashley became acutely aware that Cailin was waking up in more than one way, and she silently cursed herself. What had she been thinking? The last thing she needed was an aroused Highlander on her hands, especially since she was lying next to him in a very suggestive manner. Realizing her mistake, Ashleytried to pull away. She really needed to get up, get the fire going again, and then find a place to relieve herself. Cailin tightened his grip on her and in a husky voice said, "Nae, dinnae go. Please stay."
"I'm not leaving, Cailin. I just need to tend the fire and go outside for a minute," she stammered. "Cailin, can you hear me?"
Slowly he opened his eyes. They were mesmerizing and she couldn’t look away. Her stomach did a little flip flop.
"Ye took care of me," he said. "I thank ye."
"You're very welcome. It was the least I could do. Now, will you let me get up, so I can keep taking care of you?"
Instead of releasing her, Cailin pulled her closer and much to her surprise, he kissed her full on the lips. It was an amazing kiss, his lips were so soft and sweet. They lingered on hers briefly, before he deepened the kiss. Ashley found herself kissing him back, with more passion than she had shown for anyone in a long time. It felt so good, but she knew it was wrong. She hardly knew this guy, if you didn’t count all the times she’d seen him back home. As much as she wanted to go on kissing Cailin, she pushed away from him and ran out of the lodge like a frightened rabbit, forgetting all about the fire.
***
Cailin chuckled at the sight of Ashley running from the lodge. She was certainly special; he could see that. He’d be kissing her again soon, of that he was sure.
Where had she come from, he wondered. She had a funny way of speaking, and he didn’t understand much of what she said. She spoke of many things he was unfamiliar with; she dressed in an unladylike fashion and yet didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by it. Truth be told, he found it most attractive. Hecould see every curve of her figure very clearly and he enjoyed what he saw.
Cailin had been with many women over the years, and he had never been interested in getting to know any of them better than was required to bed them. He had a reputation amongst the women of the neighboring clans. There were many who wished to marry him, but none held his heart and not one compared to Ashley Moore. She piqued his curiosity. She was bonny, smart, and brave, but he could tell she didn’t think of herself as having any of those attributes. He’d been aware of her beside him all night and when she had thrown her leg over him, it had been all he could do, not to climb atop her and make her his own. He hadn’t wanted to frighten her though, so he’d had to be satisfied with a kiss.
***
Once outside, Ashley had to lean against the side of the lodge, because her traitorous legs had turned to jelly.Get it together, Ashley. It's not like this is the first time you've ever kissed a man.But itwasthe first time she'd ever imagined she could drown in a kiss. It took a few minutes to get herself under control, and then, taking a deep breath, she took care of the necessities and returned inside. She grabbed the medication and water and brought them across to Cailin.
"What magic do ye give me?"
"Magic? It’s not magic, only aspirin for aches, pains and fever and antibiotics for infection." She explained how Mrs. Campbell had packed a bag for her, somehow including everything she had needed. "It's like she's psychic."
Cailin latched onto the only thing she said, which he’d understood. "Are ye one of the Campbell clan then?"
"The Campbell clan…no. I'm just a tourist, travelling through Scotland. The Campbell's are the owners of The Thistle and Hive. That's where I'm staying." When Ashley glanced up, he was examining the plastic water bottle she held in her hand. "You look like you've never seen a plastic bottle before."
"Nae, I havnae. I dinnae ken yer language, lass, or yer ways. Yer nae like any woman I have ever known."
"I'm a bit confused by you as well."
He smiled and she melted yet again. At this rate, she was going to be nothing but a puddle on the floor. He had to be the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He was well over six feet tall, had a body like a Greek god and she thought his jet-black hair would be soft and silky to touch. And those eyes, she could get lost in them. They were the color of clouds on a stormy day, with a hint of blue to soften them. He truly was the man of her dreams, come to life. She was still having a hard time believing it and had no idea how it had even happened, but living proof was right in front of her. Was it fate, which had brought them together? Confusion was causing her brain to have crazy thoughts of the two of them building a life together in a quaint little cottage here in the Highlands. A home filled with children, laughter, and most of all love. She forced herself from the daydream, knowing this was not the time or place for those thoughts. Her main objective had to be getting Cailin home.
"Do you think you’re up to riding today, or should we stay here for one more night?"
"I'll be fine, lass. Dinnae fash."
"That means worry, doesn't it? Do not worry." Ashley smiled, when she figured it out.
"Aye. Can ye help me up, lass?"
"Sure. No problem."
Ashley suspected that he didn’t really need her help, but she wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to touch him again and slipped her arm around his lean waist.
Ashley gently helped him into a sitting position and watched him for a minute, fearing he might feel weak or dizzy. He sat with his legs spread wide and his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his hands.
Concerned, she took a spot next to Cailin on the bed and placed her hand against his forehead, checking for a fever. She was relieved to find no sign.
