Page 16 of An Allusive Love
Kirstine pressed her body closer, an ache between her legs that she instinctively knew he could ease. His hardness pushed against her skirt, and he moaned. The sound, the power from that whisper of a groan, thrummed inside her and made her bold. Her hands traced the hard muscles of his neck, his shoulders. To finally tell him, to be able to touch him in this way filled her such sweet pleasure and… need.
“We should get back,” he mumbled against her temple. “If yer mother catches us here, I’m a dead mon.” He brushed the ringlets from her neck, blew on her hot skin. “We can continue this conversation later.” He stepped away, then took her hand.
Kirstine took in a ragged breath and smoothed her gown, then touched her hair. “How do I look?” She didn’t want to appear like a disheveled wanton.
“Like I’ve kissed the breath from ye,” Brodie said with a hint of wonder. “Where have ye been all my life?”
“Under yer nose, ye blunderhead.”
“There’s my sweet lass,” he said, lacing his fingers through hers. “We should have had this talk a long time ago. I swear ye ken me better than I do myself.” He kissed the top of her head and drew her out into the sunshine.
They barely made it back to the edge of the crowd when Brigid spotted them. She was like a fiery tornado, clearing a path through the horde, an arm waving.
“Grandda has been look—” She narrowed her eyes, studying Kirstine, Brodie, then Kirstine again. A huge smile lit her face. “The goddess of fertility is alive and well, I see.”
“Brodie needed to talk…”
“Kirsty needed to talk…”
Kirstine blushed as they both mumbled the same excuse together.
Brigid took her arm. “Go see Grandda. I’ll keep Kirstine company.Weneed to talk, I’m thinking.”
Kirstine’s eyes followed Brodie’s retreating back, the kilt hugging his hips. The soft yet sturdy material swayed against the back of his muscled legs.
“Ye finally told him?”
A grin tugged at her lips. “I did.”
“I’m guessing he listened.”
“He did.” She gave her friend a side glance.
The sun shone copper against Brigid’s hair; her blue eyes glinted with humor. “So, my brother isna as buffle-headed as he pretends. I’m happy to hear it.”
“He kissed me.” Kirstine was bursting. She had to tell someone. “It was as wonderful as I hoped it would be.”
“I’m happy for ye, sister.” Brigid gave her a hug. “So much for my matchmaking with the widower, MacDougal. It’s a good thing I have other talents.”
“As does your brother,” Kirstine said with a giggle.
“Och, spare me the details, please,” Brigid groaned. “There are some things a sister should never ken about her brother.”
Chapter Six
Budding Bliss or Fickle Fervor
Brodie shouldered hisway through the men surrounding his grandfather. For the love of saints, what had just happened? Desire pounded through his veins, and he could still taste her, like the first honey of the season that stays on the lips. When he’d seen MacDougal smile down at his Kirstine… aye,hisKirstine.
Without thinking, he’d plowed over to the couple like a bull on a rampage. By the time he was alone with her, his blood had been up. He’d dragged her into the woods, arguing with himself over his own sanity. But those words of love had struck him hard in the chest. Her trembling lips, her heaving chest had struck other body parts. This time, he’d been helpless against his instinctive response and kissed her. Brodie had not been prepared for what happened next. The kiss had enchanted him, made him crave her touch, her taste with an intensity he’d never known before.
There is no’ a mon to compare with ye.
He tried to wipe the grin from his face, but he felt so damn… happy. A woman who kept him steady and stirred his blood. Kirstine loved him, inthatway. A month ago, he would have scoffed at the idea of returning such romantic affection. But he was a man who listened to his gut, and it told him this was right.Shewas right.
But I canna wait forever.
Those words sobered him. He was not a man who appreciated being pushed. He needed time to adjust to this revelation. But Kirstine understood him and would not nag him as other women had, his mind reasoned. Perhaps that was the magic between them. She recognized his strengths and shortcomings. Brodie would never have to play the courting games of a polite beau with her. He could be himself. Always.
