Page 13 of A Wild Night with the Highlander

“Me Lady. Do ye have a problem with that?” Flynn questioned, moving even closer so their knees were almost touching.

“I dinnae have a problem with it, but I think we both ken that I am nae and never will beyerlady.”

“Does it matter?”

“What do ye mean?”

“Astrid, does it matter if this betrothal is real or not? We are betrothed anyway, and I think I am allowed to address ye asMe Ladyif I wish to. Am I nae?”

He watched as her pupils slightly dilated, the wheels in her brain whirring, as she thought over his words. “Ye are.”

“Are ye certain?”

“Absolutely,” she whispered, and Flynn wished for nothing more but to kiss her at that moment.

He noticed how her gaze momentarily landed on his lips. Despite that, he knew he should not kiss her. Not unless he was completely sure she wanted this too.

“Now, tell me,” he said instead, shifting her focus from his lips to his eyes.

He had failed to realize when and how they had moved so close to one another that they were almost touching, but he had no intention of creating distance between them again. He was enjoying the heady scent of lilies that had once again turned intoxicating for him. Almost unreal.

“Tell ye what?” she asked, her mind slightly hazy still.

Flynn laughed softly before answering, “I wish to get to ken ye well. So tell me about yerself.”

“What would ye like to ken?”

“Everything.” He traced his finger along her cheek, her smooth skin warm under his touch.

She sucked in a sharp breath at the contact but did not flinch or shy away from it. That was encouragement enough.

“I can certainly nae condense my life in a few words for ye, Me Laird.”

“When did I ask ye to condense it?” he asked. “We have all night. I can listen to ye speak endlessly.”

Astrid laughed at his words before beginning. “I had a great childhood. It was fulfilling and beautiful, and I had parents who loved me and cared for me. It’s true that Faither was mostly occupied with affairs of the clan or clashes or simply tending to the people, but I had a mother who was there for me. I had Bannock too and Keira. I think if it were up to me, I would remain a little girl. Life was easier back then.”

Flynn hadn’t failed to notice how Astrid hadn’t mentioned her brother even once. He was certain she did so in order to make sure that he did not feel uncomfortable and for the old feud between the clans to remain at bay. His heart warmed at her effort, for it made it evident that she wished to keep things light between them.

“Life is nay longer easy for ye?” he asked, wondering why she sounded so pessimistic.

“I dinnae mean to sound ungrateful because me life is good. It always has been. Although now that I am older, it feels as if I have lived a very sheltered existence, one that I had nae control over and perhaps never will. This is somethin’ that breaks me heart sometimes.”

“Why do ye think ye dinnae have control over it?” Flynn asked, sounding genuinely worried.

He took her hands in his to stop her from constantly wringing them and held them tightly in his lap. He loved the feel of her small hands in his.

He imagined these hands touching him, and he started becoming excited at the thought, which would be dangerous. Her hands were extremely close to his groin, and he did not wish for her to see him as a pervert. He shook the image from his mind, but his desire could not be kept at bay.

“Look at the situation now for instance. We must adhere to the orders of the King and be betrothed against our wishes. Is that truly all right? Do we have nay say?”

“We are his subjects, me dear. He holds power over us. I am the laird of my clan, and I still have to listen to what he says,” Flynn tried to reason with her, but he knew it was futile. She was upset, and she would remain that way.

“I understand that, but I hope ye understand what I mean,” she whispered, breaking eye contact and looking down at their joined hands.

Flynn instinctively moved his index finger under her chin as he slowly pushed her face upwards until she was looking into his eyes again. “Can I ask ye something, Astrid?”

“Aye,” she whispered, her skin turning scarlet again.

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