Page 6 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
She didn’t notice, but when he ordered her to do something, she furrowed her brow almost comically. Her little nose twitched as if she smelled something unpleasant.
She is used to bein’ the one who gives the orders, nae the one who obeys them.
That much was obvious. The woman intrigued and fascinated him in equal measure, but these were not feelings he was used to paying attention to. He had more important things to do.
So, he ignored them and turned away. He felt that a warning was more than enough. No one had ever dared to challenge him before.
Obviously, Miss Leana Beaton was not justanyone. As soon as he was ready to take a few steps away, she took off running as if her life depended on it. Probably because she thought it did.
But of course, Kenneth was ready for her. He caught her in less than three paces, lunging in her direction and standing in her way without touching her.
He would have enjoyed the chase under different circumstances. Would have loved to be part of this game of cat and mouse; watching her run and laugh, perhaps with mischief in her eyes, as his hands caught her. To be able to test not only her body but also her mind. To end up in the middle of a capture that both of them wanted—evenlongedfor.
Too bad the circumstances were not different. He would have loved to catch such a woman. To touch her and explore her and introduce her to a new… world that both of them would undoubtedly enjoy so much more.
Instead, he had to content himself with watching her as surprise broke through her anger.
Her breath caught in her throat. Perfect rosy lips parted in a perfectO.
“I told ye nae to run,” Kenneth warned.
“Ye cannae blame me for tryin’.” She balled her fists in obvious frustration. Perhaps she had hoped to get further before being stopped. “Only a lunatic would follow a stranger to gods ken where.”
“But ye are nay lunatic, and I am nay stranger. At least, I willnae be soon.” He took a step closer to her, not to touch her or take her… but to cut her off. “Besides, ye ken very well where I want to take ye—to me castle.”
His words were certain. A statement. A fact, whether she liked it or not. Yet that didn’t stop her from jutting her chin and narrowing her hate-filled, ice-blue eyes at him.
However, it wouldn’t last long. Soon, she would realize she had no choice but to obey him.
Until then, it was clear to him that she would fight, and that determination made every inch of his body demand that he claim her as his own. As if it were his right.
A part of him itched to make her submit. And he was sure she’d enjoy it.
Instead, he warned, “I have nay time for games, lass. Ye’re comin’ with me.”
“Ye’re mad if ye think I will.”
“I’ve never been called that before,” Kenneth admitted. “And I’m nae startin’ today. Ye’re comin’ with me.”
“I willnae, unless ye give me a reason to,” Leana retorted, crossing her arms over her chest once again.
Her answer almost made him laugh. “Ye will do it because I say so.”
“Ye cannae order me to do it.”
“Want to bet?” One of his eyebrows rose. “Me men will make ye obey if ye doubt me intentions.”
He had not forced her to follow him yet, even though he could and time was pressing. But he hoped she would give up and just follow him. The situation was new to him—having to repeat the same order over and over again—and he found it as annoying as it was fascinating.
But he wasn’t going to relax much. Either the lass would start to cooperate, or he would handle her like his men had done: throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. And then he would carry her to his castle and force her to do what he had sought her for.
Of course, he hoped he would not have to go that far. It would be so much easier if she chose to cooperate.
Leana’s face reddened at his answer.
Kenneth said no more, and she followed him, but it was obvious that she was annoyed. At least she was obeying. That was something, for now.
“Tell me why ye need me,” Leana demanded as she stomped after him, her expression grim.
