Page 49 of Tempting the Highland Devil
How would I have done anything without her?Besides the guilt that would eat him alive for being unable to protect her, Arran knew he would never stop missing her. Her absence would ruin him.
She hugged him back and smooth her hand down his back while he wanted to suck in all of her. When he finally pulled back, he stepped aside and turned to Laird O’Neil.
“How do I thank ye?” Arran asked as he extended a hand to Laird O’Neil. “Ye saved my wife, and for that I owe ye, Laird O’Neil.”
“We can discuss that,” Laird O’Neil answered and accepted Arran’s extended hand almost immediately. As they shook hands, Arran realized he knew the laird. “Ye competed at the games, did ye nay?”
Laird O’Neil nodded once. “Ye indeed won the honors of the lady’s hand, Laird MacGregor.”
“Thank ye again,” Arran continued. “I would like to host ye in my castle for this good deed.”
“I shall take ye up on that offer.”
Laird O’Neil and his men retreated after that, and when Arran turned to Yvaine again, she swooned, and he moved closer, so could catch her before she collapsed.
He lifted her off the ground and carried her to his horse. “Ye will ride with me back to the castle, and the healer shall treat ye,” he whispered in a soft voice, and she only nodded as he mounted the horse after her.
Arran got them back to his castle after many hours of riding. The skies were darkened, and Yvaine was sleepy by then, so he carried her into the castle.
A servant brought in warm water for her bath, and Arran helped clean her skin with a washcloth to get rid of all the dirt on her before the healer arrived.
He stayed by her side as the healer applied a balm to her bruises, and he fed her a tonic for strength and sleep. Yvaine sighed deeply when he finally carried her from the healing chamber to his.
Arran did not let himself think of anything else as he lay in bed with her and cuddled her close. Listening to the sound of her heart beating was enough comfort. Arran did not need any words from her as they lay there together.
He was at peace knowing she was all right, and every plan he had to find the ones who did this to her could wait for the rest of the night.
He kissed her forehead after some time and let his lips linger on her skin. “I am so sorry,” he murmured again, wanting her to know how deeply he wished he had protected her better.
“It was Laird Macmicking,” she said to him in the faintest of voices as she snuggled closer. “I dinnae ken what he wants, but he sent those men to attack the castle and capture me, Arran.”
Arran’s muscles tensed when she revealed that information. He clenched his jaw hard and imagined how he would make the laird pay for what he tried to do to Yvaine.
Whatever his reasons were,Arran did not care. If Laird Macmicking had any grievances with him or his clan, then he could fight his soldiers. Hurting his wife was unforgivable. Only a dishonest warrior goes after the weak. Laird Macmicking had crossed the line, and Arran would make him pay no matter what.
* * *
By the next evening, Yvaine was stronger, and she pestered him to walk with her in the garden.
They sat together under the shade of wide tree and shared some fruit. Arran had never done anything like this, so he stayed quiet as he watched her devour the berries and lick her lips.
“Ye should try some of these,” she said and handed him a berry.
What he wanted to try was tasting the berry off her lips and kissing her till there was nothing left but her real sweetness. He sucked in a deep breath and tried to slow the pump of blood rushing through his veins to his temples.
Arran was aroused by the sight of her.But I cannot.Especially while she was hurt. How could he think of kissing her and taking her right now?
“Arran,” Yvaine called and moved closer to him on the ground.
When he stiffened, she touched his hand gently and linked their fingers. He stared down at their joined hands for a long time, loving how her hand and complexion blended with his.
“I have sent men to watch Laird Macmicking’s clan,” he said to her after some time.
“Nay,” Yvaine said and shook her head. “Today we shall nay talk about Laird Macmicking or about yer clan or anythin’ else. We shall only talk about ye and me.”
He frowned. “I dinnae understand.”
“Tell me about yer travels,” she said as she leaned down, placed her head on his shoulder, and began stroking his hand. Arran felt a shot of warmth reach the deepest base of his heart, and he found himself relaxing on the tree.
