Page 108 of Highland Spy

“It’s nice to finally be feeling better.” Liv returned his smile, but there was something soft and sad to the lift of her lips.

Doubtless the lass still had much healing to do.

He regarded Percy. “I dinna think to see ye with a sword in yer hand again.”

Percy’s cheeks went red. “Um…Liv asked me to show her. I warned her I wouldn’t be much help.”

Connor nodded. “Then Delilah and Sylvi havena yet returned.”

Percy laid her sword in the box of practice weapons. “No, but Murdoch arrived yesterday. He was fair exhausted and has been abed since.”

Perfect. Just the man he needed to see.

“I’ll see him when he’s rested, then,” Connor said.

Percy nodded.

Isabel appeared at Connor’s side, her head arrogantly cocked as she waited to be introduced. “This is Isabel,” he said. “She’ll be staying with us for a while. I’d like ye to show her around a bit while Ariana and I see to the horses.”

“Of course.” Percy was the first to step forward. “Welcome to Kindrochit.”

As expected, she immediately took charge and set Liv to putting away the remainder of the practice equipment while she ushered Isabel inside.

Connor was alone with Ariana once more.

Together they walked the horses to the stable.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly to her. He knew he wouldn’t have to say what it was he apologized for.

She unfastened the saddle from her horse. “I had no illusions.”

There was something about how she said it, so accepting, so understanding, so emotionless. It made him want to crush his lips to hers, push her body against the wall, and have her again right there, so the passion glowed bright in her eyes.

The image worked in his mind, building and growing, until he could think of nothing else while they cared for the horses after the long trip.

It was the first time they’d been truly alone since Ariana had convinced him to bring Isabel with them—a decision which had already proved beneficial. Isabel had been a wealth of knowledge.

But he’d never been able to get the night he’d spent with Ariana out of his mind, nor the way she’d so readily accepted him after he’d confessed everything to her in the empty kitchen at Urquhart.

The air was thick and warm, and every part of him became increasingly aware of the movements she made, each graceful sweep of her hand, the very breath passing between her plump lips.

She glanced at him when they finished, and he could take the silent togetherness no more.

“I know I shouldna, I know it isna fair, but I still want ye.” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Before she had a chance to answer, he pressed his mouth to hers. Her lips were warm despite the cold night, warm and soft and lush.

He let his tongue stroke hers, teasing the fiery passion he wished to unleash.

“We can still see each other.” He spoke between kisses, hurried and hungry for her. “In the solar while the others sleep.”

Ariana pushed herself back and stared up at him. Her fingertips hovered over his chest in a move to keep him away from her. Her mouth and chin were pink from the force of their kiss and her hair had somehow come loose from its simple knot.

She should say no. He had taken everything from her and had nothing to offer her in return. Less than nothing.

And yet the idea of her rejection rent his mind and left him hopelessly desperate.

Her fingers fell away from him and his heart sucked down into his stomach. He knew her answer before it fell from her lips.