Page 59 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Me.”

Her heart stumbled. She turned slowly.

Gordon remained beside the basin, one hand resting against the stone edge. His expression had become unreadable again, but his eyes were fixed upon hers. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Ailis refused to give him the satisfaction.

“I am searchin’ for Brochan.”

One corner of his mouth threatened to move, but he caught it.

“He is under the bed,” he revealed.

“Very well.”

She moved toward it without looking away from him. “Thank ye.”

Ailis crouched. Her gown brushed the floor as she reached beneath the bed, fingers searching through dust and shadows. “Brochan?”

Nothing. She reached farther then a tiny rustle answered.

“There ye are.”

The hedgehog emerged slowly into her waiting hands. Ailis gathered him against her chest and rose.

Gordon had not moved. She could feel his gaze upon her.

The closeness of the room seemed almost oppressive now. Morning sunlight spilled across his bare skin, touching the scars on his chest and the damp strands of hair resting against his shoulders.

Ailis swallowed then awkwardly turned away from him. “I apologize for invadin’ yer privacy,” she said before she could stop the words then cringed, chastising herself for speaking.

“Ye will have to grow accustomed to it,” he said behind her.

Ailis blinked and spun around again without thinking. “To what?”

His gaze returned to hers. “Me. Ye’ll see far more of me like this once we wed.”

For one terrifying moment, Ailis forgot every clever answer she had ever known. Her face went warm. Her heart seemed to tumble from her chest straight into her stomach. She clutched Brochan tighter and swallowed hard to push the lump in her throat down.

Ailis forced a smile. “Aye.” She raised Brochan slightly. “Now, do ye hear that, Brochan?”

Gordon’s brow rose.

“I believe the Laird thinks ye shall grow accustomed to it.” She lowered her voice, pretending to speak privately to the hedgehog. “Very important advice, that.”

Brochan wriggled, and Ailis nodded solemnly. “Oh, well,” she continued. “He says he might as well.”

For one heartbeat, the room was silent, then his face broke and laughter so soft and breezy slipped past his lips, softening every feature of his face and making her heart lurch.

Her heart stopped at the sight then began beating twice as hard.

Ach.

She hated him and that smile. But she hated how much she wanted to see it again even more.

Her body betrayed her in the moment. Warmth climbed from her throat into her cheeks. She felt it spreading, and she tried to look down at Brochan, so he wouldn’t notice, but it was too late. Her gaze lingered one heartbeat too long over the broad expanse of his bare chest.

Ailis swallowed.