Page 30 of Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector 1)

“Exactly.” Sadie dismounted with a splash and scooted to the end of the tub, hugging her knees up against her chest.

“Forgive me.” Alec sat up, propping his elbows atop his bent knees sprouting above the water. “And that was no’ exactly the ‘adventure’ I was referring to either.” He scowled down at the water. “I’d thought for us to dress in the old style and visit Castle Danu so ye might see how an ancient Scot would woo his lady and make love to her so she’d ne’er wish to leave his keep.”

He finally looked up at her and shook his head. “But I suppose ye’ll be wantin’ none of that now that I’ve shown m’self t’be an insensitive cur.” Making a noise that sounded like a cross between a growl and a disgruntled hiss, Alec rose and stepped out of the tub, yanked a towel from the rack, and jerked it around his hips. Without turning, he tucked the corner of the towel in at his waist, then bowed his head, scowling down at the floor. “I am truly sorry, Sadie.”

Then he slowly faced her, leveling such a serious gaze at her that she shivered. “And if aught should come from my carelessness, rest assured, I’ll be there for ye—and for the child. A MacDara takes care of his own and the two of ye shall ne’er want for a thing, ye ken? I swear it upon all I hold dear.”

Doing her best to ignore the dangerousoh my Godthumping of her heart at Alec’s gallant words, Sadie held up a hand and floundered her way out of the tub. She wasn’t thrilled they hadn’t used a condom, but planning a child’s future—and hers too from the sound of it—was a tad extreme. Time to lighten the mood a little. “Whoa now. Wait a minute. Talking child support and college funds is a little premature here.” Winding a towel around her, she snugged it tight, then swiped her dripping hair out of her eyes. “I’m not thrilled that we bypassed the condom this time, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be okay. I depend on condoms for safe sex, but I also back them up just to be sure.”

“Back them up?” Alec stared at her as though she were speaking a language he didn’t understand.

“I have a prescription.” A twinge of guilt forced her to add, “That I remember to take—most of the time.” The doctor’s lecture on the need for consistency droned along in the back of her mind like the humming of a pollen-drunk bee. She had the damnedest time remembering to take that lovely little pill. Hence the condoms for protection and added insurance.

Gripping the towel between her breasts, she suddenly felt very exposed. Alec had meant every knight-in-shining-armor word he’d said. She’d heard it in his tone and seen it in his eyes. She’d never met a man like him before—especially not one who seemed genuinely interested in her well-being.

Sadie pushed her way past Alec, rushed into the bedroom, and busied herself with finding a fresh set of clothes. They both just needed to get dressed and move on, and she couldn’t very well join Alec’s family for dinner wearing the outfit that had exploded into scattered piles all over the bathroom floor. This embarrassing conversation was best forgotten.

Yanking open the dresser drawer, she refused to turn when Alec stood so close behind her that she could feel the heat of him radiating against her back. Being alone with Alec had suddenly gotten very uncomfortable. Definitely time to change the subject. “So do you want to show me the castle tomorrow after we watch the first day of filming?”

“Is that what ye wish?” His tone was careful. Guarded. Alec spoke as though he feared she’d burst into a raging lunatic at any moment.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Why can’t I ever just keep my mouth shut? One time without a condom is no big deal.Sadie swallowed hard, trying to recall if she’d taken that damn pill before she’d gone down to breakfast that morning.

Still pawing through her panties and socks even though she already clutched what she needed against her chest, Sadie bobbed her head in a quick nod. Thanks to her stupid unfiltered mouth, she’d turned their stellar afternoon of dessert sex and erotic water sports into teenage first-date awkwardness. She turned and faced him with her brightest smile, determined to ignore the tension between them. “I’d love a guided tour through Highland history. Would Miss Lydia or Esme help me find a costume?”

“I’ll speak to them about it. I’m sure they both would.” Alec slowly made his way about the room, gathering up his clothes.

Sadie couldn’t take her eyes away from the play of his muscles as Alec moved, but every time he glanced her way, the look in his eyes—that thoughtful look that said he was still unsettled about their earlier exchange—made her want to turn and run like hell. He wanted to talk. Nervously futzing with his clothes as he meandered around the room was a dead giveaway. The man was working up his courage for one of those so-called life-changing conversations. She could tell by the way he was circling the furniture like a dog looking for a place to piss.

Sadie had learned long ago that the best way to deal with unpleasantness was to laugh it off and change the subject. If you didn’t acknowledge it, it didn’t exist. She’d survived quite well using that little tidbit of wisdom and wasn’t about to give it up now. She’d broken that rule once and talked out her troubles to Alec up on the mountain, but she wasn’t about to do it again. It might not turn out so well this time.

She patted the clothes folded across her arm and nodded toward the door. “I’ll meet you downstairs as soon as I’m spruced up and dressed.” She grinned and gave him a wink. “I want to make sure Dwyn doesn’t smell pecan pie as soon as I enter the room.”

Alec stared at her, unsmiling and brooding as though she’d just told him he was due for a prostate exam. “We’re no’ finished here.”

Sadie pointed toward the door leading to the main sitting room as she backed her way toward the bathroom. “Yep. We are. We’ve talked it all out and everything’s fine. Now go see if Miss Lydia knows of any Highland lady’s outfits that come in size curvalicious.”

Alec studied her a moment longer with such a dark, pensive look she feared he wasn’t about to do as she’d asked. She could tell by the arch of that one sexy eyebrow hiked nearly to his hairline that his chivalry factor was kicking into overdrive. He was overreacting. She didn’t need rescuing. She could take care of herself. Always had. Always would. “Off wi’ ye now,” she added in her best attempt at a Scottish brogue.

“Hmpf.” Alec snorted like a bull preparing to charge, then stomped across the sitting room to the door. He paused with one hand on the latch, the other arm clutching his clothes to his hip. Alec MacDara was the only man Sadie had ever met who looked like he could rule the world wearing nothing but a towel.

He glared at her for a moment longer, then jerked open the door and stepped out into the hallway. “I shall see ye at supper.” Then he yanked the door shut with a resounding bang that communicated a great deal more than words ever could.

Alec wasn’t happy, and Sadie would bet her best as yet unpublished script that from now on her survival tool of changing the subject was going to get one hell of a workout.

Chapter 14

“Ye’ll be takin’ yer sister with ye today.” Sarinda didn’t look up from the tattered pages of an old herbal journal spread open beside her bone china cup and saucer. “I’ve had my fill of that child’s sulkin’.” She gracefully lifted the teacup, took a proper ladylike sip, then peered at Alec over the cup’s delicate gilded rim. “It’s time ye spent a day or so with the wee beastie ye created.”

“Icreated?”Hell’s bells.He was havin’ enough difficulties managin’ Sadie. The last thing he needed was a surly bairn shackled to his side. “I didna create that snarlin’ wee vixen.”

“Aye. Ye did.” Sarinda returned her cup to its saucer and snapped her book shut. She glared around the breakfast table with a look that made all the MacDara sons squirm in their seats. “The lot of ye did. Ye’ve catered to her every whim since the first moment she drew breath.” Sarinda stood and pushed her chair up to the table. “And now we’re all reapin’ what ye’ve sown, and it’s your responsibility to help Esme become the fine young woman I know she’s destined t’be.”

“Alec spoils her the most,” Ramsay interjected between mouthfuls of the biscuit-and-bacon sandwiches he clutched in both hands.

“Aye,” Grant agreed. “Alec’s the worst,Máthair.Well…” He paused and nudged the brother to his right. “Ross might be a tad worse. He’s no match for wee Esme’s crocodile tears.”

“Leave me out of this,” Ross advised with a shake of his shaggy blond head.

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