Page 42 of Highland Warrior

“Do you want me, lass?”

“Aye, Iain, I want you. I shouldn’t, but I do.”

Iain kissed her then and began lifting the hem of her gown, caressing her bare skin with his hands.

His eyes were clouded with lust as he continued to drink in the sight of her, laid out before him like a veritable feast. Iain suddenly came to his senses when the rest of the room intruded into his vision. He saw Yesenda in all her radiance offering herself to him… on a table in the longhouse where anyone could walk in on them.

He shook his head to clear the lust fog. He could not do that to her. If she was innocent, he did not want her first time to be on a bloody table.

“Iain? Is everything all right?” she asked, worry marred her features.

Iain stood completely still. His breathing was ragged. “I cannot do this. Not with you.” He quickly pulled down her gown and stepped away from her.

The flames of her passion were doused in that moment. Iain looked positively disgusted, and she suddenly felt embarrassed. He must think her a wanton woman with no scruples.

She quickly sat up in horror, realizing how close they’d come to coupling on the family dining table. It mortified her she had been tempted. Then she remembered. Iain was deeply in love with Liosa and would be for life.

“I… I’m sorry,” she rasped. She gently shoved Iain out of her way and jumped down.

“Yesenda, wait. I’m sorry lass, tis just that—”

“No, tis not your fault. I did not mean for it to go so far. I… I have never done that before and… I ken I am not her.” Yesenda had already turned away and was straightening her dress.

“What do you mean?” Iain looked confused. “Yesenda, tis not you, tis just that—”

Before he could finish his line, the door burst opened, and a guardsman entered.

“Iain, you’re needed at the Keep. Mistress Sorcha has gone into labor. The laird needs you.”

Iain glanced at Yesenda. He had so much he wanted to say, but instead he turned and headed for the door.

“Wait!” Yesenda called out. “I’m coming. They might need my help.”

Iain nodded. “Aye, tis a good idea.” He clasped her hand in his, then both ran out of the cottage together.

Despite the earlier disaster of theiralmostcoupling, Iain and Yesenda remained inseparable throughout the ordeal. Yesenda was not sure why, but anytime Iain was near her, he would reach for her hand and clasp it. Or he would physically pull her close, so she sat beside him.

When the danger to Sorcha and the new babe was over, Yesenda wept tears of joy wrapped in Iain’s arms. She savored the moment because she knew it could not last.

She was right.

***

Avoidance

Yesenda was avoiding him. Iain knew it right down to his bones. Every time they were in the same room together, she would make some excuse and leave. Even worse, he would wake early to join her for breakfast and all he would find was a plate warming by the hearth. Her thoughtfulness touched him, but he also wanted to break her neck for denying him her company. Iain missed her plain and simple. But Yesenda was adept at avoidance. He could not get a single moment alone with her. And lord did he want some alone time to talk about ‘the table’ incident.

Finally, an opportunity arose. The MacGregors were returning toGlenorchy,now that Sorcha’s lying-in was over. While the women were doing their long round of farewells, he spied Yesenda standing aside, giving them privacy.

Iain made his way over and just stood beside her.

Yesendafelthim before she saw him.

“It will be a lot quieter once the MacGregors leave,” Iain said.

“Aye. I will miss the bairns. They are a handful, though,” Yesenda replied.

“That they are, but they’re good natured. Although I’ll not miss all the shouting.”

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