Page 15 of Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector 1)

“I’m afraid Kenzie was the only survivor of the three that Esme found in the downed tree.” Alec shook his head, remembering his sister’s sorrow when each of the little animals had failed to thrive under her careful tending. “ ’Twas a terrible time at the keep when we had t’bury Esme’s wee friends. M’dear sister might be a wicked beastie at times, but when she loves, she loves hard.” Alec stopped walking, covered Sadie’s hand with his own, and turned her toward him. “All the MacDaras love hard.”

Sadie nervously wet her bottom lip, her gaze dropping to their clasped hands. “I see,” she said, her voice dropping lower. “I’ll have to remember that.”

“Aye,” Alec said, not attempting to keep the wistfulness from his tone. “See that ye do.”

He leaned in closer, taking the utmost care as he slid a finger beneath her chin and slowly raised her face to his. He had to have a wee taste—no way could he resist this time. He cautiously grazed his mouth across the seam of her barely parted lips, gently nibbling and sampling.So soft. So…promising.Must take care.Alec repeated the silent mantra over and over as he reluctantly pulled away.

Aye, indeed. The MacDaras love hard—when they dare to love.

Chapter 7

Yesterday had been perfect. Sadie smiled back at her reflection as she brushed out her long, dark hair and swept it up into her business-as-usual ponytail. Alec seemed decent and kind and genuinely interested in knowing her better—just like he’d said when he’d named the additional terms to the agreement.

And what about what he’d said about MacDaras when they love?A tingling shiver shot through her. That gentle, cautious kiss. Such a tease.Damn.The man knew how to reel a woman in. He’d set the hook and she was so ready to be landed. The MacDaras might love hard, but she was in imminent risk of loving fast.

She cocked a brow at her reflection, her ponytail sliding slowly through her hand.Love? Really? After just meeting the man?Lust—yes. She was definitely head over heels in lust. There was no doubt about that whatsoever. But love?

She ran the brush through her hair again, rehashing yesterday’s moments. The more she pondered all the conversations, all the looks, all the flashing hot feelings of…dammit,she fanned herself, finally nodding to the mirror. “Who knows? Maybe there is a fast lane for love as well as lust.”

With one last pat to her hair, she exited the lavish bathroom and grinned.Not bathroom.En-suite spa—Miss Lydia’s voice silently corrected her, droning on inside her head. She scooped up her ball cap, pulled her ponytail through the hole in the back, and settled it comfortably in place. Perching on the wide cushioned bench at the foot of the four-poster bed, she laced up her hiking boots. They’d walked the main thoroughfare of the park yesterday, but Alec had said today they’d be on horseback so he could show her the more remote parts of the MacDara land.Hmm…remote. Sounds promising.

Sadie meandered over to the nightstand and slid open the drawer. She hesitated a moment, staring down at the jumbled mess she’d dumped out of her overnight case.

Should she or shouldn’t she? An extra-large box of condoms stuck out of the pile of hairbands, notepads, and hand lotions like the grand prize at the carnival. Delia had shoved the box of “extra ribbing for ultimate pleasure” gems into her hands when Sadie had been packing for her six-week stay at Highland Life and Legends.

“Just in case,” Delia had said with a dismissive smirk.

At first, she’d been insulted by Delia’s gesture. But now…

Would it be over-the-top slutty if she took along a couple of the little jewelsjust in case? She opened the box and fingered a few of the sealed packets. Slutty or not, after spending yesterday with Alec MacDara, she’d be sorely disappointed if he didn’t make aless chastemove today.

But what if he didn’t?Then I’ll do it.She flipped the packages in one hand, staring down at them as if they’d tell her what the future held. What would Alec think if she took the lead and seduced him into an afternoon of picnic blanket wrestling? Old insecurities reared their ugly heads.Seduce him? What if he runs screaming off a cliff when he sees all these curves coming at him?

Sadie shook away the evil voices, lifting her chin proudly. “He said I was beautiful and didn’t need to change a thing,” she informed the box of condoms. To further strengthen her resolve, she scooped out half of the packets and shoved them into her backpack. “I’ll be ready,” she promised, just as a knock sounded on her door.

“Are ye ready, Sadie?” Alec’s deep voice sounded from the hallway.

“You have no idea,” Sadie said under her breath as she scooped up her backpack and slung it over one shoulder. “Ready!” she called out loud enough for Alec to hear. She pulled open the door and nearly swallowed her tongue.

A linen tunic opened at the throat made Sadie’s fingers twitch with the urge to rake them across Alec’s tanned collarbone. He wore a kilt—not the super-short workout number he’d worn in the practice arena. This one was different, longer but somehow more seductive in the way he had it draped about his body.Wonder if he’s going commando?She’d heard the tales of what a true Scot wore beneath his kilt and truly hoped that today would be her chance to discover the truth of that particular rumor.

The colors of the tartan were subdued.A hunting kilt—how appropriate.The thought sent another surge of heat through Sadie.He doesn’t have to hunt. I’m right here.The corded muscles of Alec’s calves flexed as he resettled his stance and shifted the bulging picnic basket to his other hand.

Shit. I’m staring.“Uhm…you look awesome.” Sadie waved a hand to encompass Alec from his long, dark hair tied back with a leather thong down to the scuffed toes of his boots. “I didn’t realize I’d be spending the day with an authentically dressed Highlander.”

Alec leaned a bit closer, winking as he took the backpack from her shoulder. “Yer no’ a Brit or an Irish, are ye?” he teased. “Neither seem t’care o’erly much for us Scots.”

“Do I look like I have any British or Irish DNA?” Sadie playfully nudged his rock-solid shoulder, then flipped her nearly black ponytail to the front and wagged it at him. “Mediterranean descent—or so I’m told.”

“This way.” Alec turned them into a side hallway that Sadie hadn’t noticed on the day she’d arrived. A dark brow arched in interest, he grinned down at her. “Mediterranean, ye say? What country exactly?”

“This leads outside? I didn’t realize I could go this way.” Sadie pushed through the narrow-framed glass door at the end of the hall. She hurried down the short flight of stone steps and out onto the leaf-strewn lawn, doing her damnedest to change the subject. She’d rather not talk about her past. There just wasn’t that much to tell—or at least not that much worth rehashing. She tensed at Alec’s quizzical look.Just let it go. Let’s not ruin this day talking about what’s behind me.She willed him to hear the words.I always move forward. I never look back.

Almost as though he had heard her, Alec eased her worries with a shrug and a lopsided smile. He led the way across the lawn, pointing to a fenced-in area attached to the rear of a building large enough to pass for North Carolina’s version of the Superdome. “Anytime ye wish t’stroll our private grounds without passing through the main living quarters, ye can come this way. Over there is MacDara Stables, where we’re headed.”

Sadie’s moment of tension melted away like the sun pushing through the clouds.Good. There will be no crappiness of the past ruining this day.She hurried to catch up with Alec, stretching to peer over the high stone wall adjoining the rear of the family’s private quarters. The massive barrier bordered the length of the private grounds to connect with the fenced-in paddock. She pointed to the wall. “Keeps the tourists out?”

“Aye.” Alec tossed a disparaging glance at what could only be called a skirting wall, its imposing height and thickness fit to guard any castle. “If the task had been left t’me, the wall wouldha been a damn sight taller and broader. There are many who’ve no respect for signs declaring private areas that are no’ t’be entered.”

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