Page 36 of Never Fall for a Highlander

“Aye.And can I assume, then, that ye question everyone in the keep who goes to the village?”

Instead of answering, he placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her flat against him, covering her mouth with his.She resisted at first, still annoyed at his arrogance, but soon lost herself in his kiss.

‘Twas a kiss of possession, of passion and craving.He nudged her lips with his tongue and she allowed him in.His tongue swept her mouth, touching places she had no idea were sensitive.

His arm encircled her waist and drew her away from the door, leaving her completely engulfed in his arms.He cupped her face and shifted her head so he could take the kiss deeper.

Her body grew warmer and tingles erupted in places that she was never aware of.

Robin pulled away, and still holding her face, said, “Did he kiss ye like that?”

As if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her head, she pulled back.“’Tis no’ yer business, laird or no’.”She pushed against his chest with all her might but he didn’t move an inch.“Let me go.”

He backed up.“Ye are mine, Helena Ross.”

She shook her head.“Nay.I belong to no one.”She poked her finger in his chest.“Ye are about to be betrothed.Ye have no right to kiss me.”

His arms dropped to his side and he walked away.“I am no’ betrothed.”

Helena opened the door and turned back to him.“Ye will be soon, and ye might as well face up to yer duty.”

With tears in her eyes and a pain in her heart, she hurried away from the solar and went to her room, flinging herself on the bed.

* * * *

Two days later the Gunns rode out, but the laird had said nothing more about a betrothal.Robin’s relief at that was quelled by the farewell Knox had with Helena.They looked a bit too friendly and spent time speaking by themselves in the corner of the great hall.Finally the Gunn shouted at his son who then kissed Helena’s forehead which had Robin walking in that direction to flatten the man.

Helena had avoided him since their encounter in his solar.Feeling conflicted himself, he didn’t go out of his way to see her, either.Once he’d seen the last Gunn ride away, he walked over to the list to do some training.

His side was much better, but still tender.Rather than showing the others how recovered he was and then ending up back in bed again with Helena leaning over him, lecturing him, he decided to take it easy.

He’d hoped that the silence from The Gunn was a sign that he had given up on a match between him and Lady Lenora.If that was the case, then he had every intention of pursuing Helena.She’d told him that she was needed back at Dornoch to work as the clan healer, but if he was able to dismiss the match The Gunn had been panting for, then he would find a way to fix Helena’s problem, too.

Despite his declaration that she belonged to him, he knew in his heart he couldn’t offer her marriage until things were settled between him and the council.

After only an hour of swinging his sword, and already feeling the strain on his muscles, he received a message that the council wished to meet with him in the great hall.

He wiped the sweat from his face, head, and chest and tossed the cloth into the bucket to be carried away by the laundress.

Helena was just coming out of the keep, her medicant basket on her arm.He switched directions and walked up to her.“Good morn, Helena.”

The warm look on her face told him she was no longer upset with him, but there was a certain amount of caution in her eyes.Did the lass believe he would grab her and toss her to the ground and have his way with her?

If only.

“Good day, Laird.”

Now hewastempted to grab her and kiss her in front of everyone.

Instead he kept his hands to himself and said, “Are ye off to heal someone?”

She smiled and all the clouds left the sky.“Aye, I hope so.There are still many little ones suffering from the cough.”

He moved closer, but still leaving room between them.“I’m sure if anyone can make them feel better, ‘tis you.”

“Laird, the council awaits yer presence.”Finn stood near the front door of the keep, his hands on his hips.

Helena looked back over her shoulder.“Duty calls, Laird.”