Page 121 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Because I would prefer ye to survive yer first lesson.”

He caught the reins and helped her ease down from the saddle. Her hand rested on his shoulder as he lowered her.

But when her feet touched the ground, she stumbled slightly. Gordon caught her, and his arms closed around her waist.

For a moment, neither moved. Ailis could still feel the rush of the ride racing through her veins. Her heart was pounding, and Gordon was so close; his hands were firm at her waist. Her palms rested against his chest as she looked up to find him looking at her.

The world seemed to narrow around them.

The stable disappeared, the horses, the sounds outside… everything.

There was only Gordon and her. His eyes dropped to her mouth, and she shivered, thinking he would lower his lips to hers.

She wanted him to. Her heart soared when he finally leaned closer. Their lips met for one aching, sweet second then Gordon recoiled as though he had been burned.

“Nay.” He stepped away, dragging a hand through his hair. “I cannae.”

Ailis stared at him, blinking back to reality. “Why?”

He shook his head. “Because I shouldnae.”

“Is it because ye think I daenae want ye?” His head snapped toward her as she added, “Because I do. I do want ye, Gordon.”

His face tightened. “Ye daenae ken what ye are sayin’. I dinnae deserve ye.”

“I do.” Ailis stepped closer. “I saw yer paintings, Gordon. All those paintings of me… They were bonnie. Ye cannae tell me ye feel nothin’.”

“Ye daenae understand, Ailis. I have to protect ye!” The force of his voice startled her.

“From what?”

“From me! I am tryin’ to protect ye from me…”

He stared at her after blurting the words, his chest rose sharply, and his hands curled into fists at his side. Ailis’ breath left her. The anger in his face was gone now.

“I cannae do this,” he said in a lower tone that delivered the blow of his words right to her gut. “It is best ye come to terms with that, Ma’am.”

He stormed out of the stables without another word, and the sinking despair that filled Ailis blinded her with tears.

CHAPTER THIRTY

By nightfall, Ailis had cried until her eyes ached.

The celebrations had begun hours ago. Music drifted through the castle, laughter rose from the great hall, and servants hurried between tables carrying food and ale for the clans already arriving for the binding.

She could hear all of it from her chamber. She wanted none of it.

Every sound seemed to remind her that tomorrow she was meant to become Gordon’s wife.

Except Gordon had made it clear he did not want her.

Ailis wiped her cheeks and left her chamber. She did not know where she meant to go. She only knew she could not remain there another moment listening to everyone celebrate a future that suddenly felt like a cruel joke.

Her feet carried her downstairs, past the kitchens and the servants’ quarters until she reached the small chamber where she had first stayed when she arrived at MacLaren Castle.

She pushed the door open, and cold air met her.

The room had always felt different from the rest of the castle. Smaller. Bare. There was little warmth in it, despite the thick stone walls.