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“Lass,” he whispered. “Are ye asleep?”
She contemplated not responding. If she did reply, she might not be able to resist anything initiated. But she couldn’t resist. “I’m awake.”
“Can I ask ye a question?”
His voice was warm and low and inviting. She opened her eyes and saw he was staring right at her. She sank into their green depths, like a sea of soft clover in autumn. The scent of clean skin, wet hair, and his masculine musk reached her, and it made her want to rub against him like a cat. She could drink in that smell like a well-aged whiskey.
“Sure.” She cleared her throat. She itched to reach out and shift the wet strand of hair on his forehead.
“Why did ye traveled in time?”
Oh God, could he have asked a more loaded question? It was probably innocent enough for him, but for her…
Could she admit to him what she’d been accused of? And admit she was a coward that had run away instead of staying and defending herself. More importantly, did she trust him to believe in her innocence?
The truth was, she was tired of lying. Tired of pretending, looking for excuses and justifications. She was so relieved he knew about time travel. It felt as though a burden had been lifted off her shoulders. How would it feel to tell him about the worst thing that had ever happened to her?
What if he used that knowledge against her?
No, she stopped herself. No. He wasn’t like that. He’d saved her life and taken care of her. He made her feel like miracles existed and he was about to gift her one.
She’d sworn to never trust anyone again, but she truly wanted to trust people. Even though she was afraid, she could start changing that now.
“Do you really want to know?” she said. “It’s not a happy story.”
“Aye. I’m nae a stranger to sad stories.”
Her hand curled in a fist around the pillow, and she made an effort to relax it. He may never look at her the same again.
“Okay,” she said. “Here goes.”
She took a deep breath in and released the angst that clenched her core. Once she said the words out loud, there would be no turning back. There was a big chance Owen wouldn’t be able to accept her if he thought she was a coward.
The feelings roiling through her resembled those she’d experienced when she went out on a mission to eliminate terrorists. The sinking tension in her gut intensified and she was hyperaware of the slightest movement and every change in the air. Every step could be the difference between life and death, but she took that and waited for a bullet to hit.
“I ran from the police. That’s how I ended up traveling back in time.”
“The police?”
“Right. I suppose, you don’t have police in your time… It’s law enforcement. Like, if you break the law, they arrest you and put you in prison until you’re tried for the crime you committed.”
“Oh. Aye. I understand. They’re like a clan chief who makes sure justice is served and punishes thieves and murderers.”
“Yes. Except, in my time, there’s a whole giant organization that specializes in that. Men and women work for money as policemen.”
“Like a chief’s warriors.”
“Well, yes. I fought a war for my country in Afghanistan.” Owen frowned, so she added, “Middle East.”
“The caliphate?”
“Yes. I suppose that’s what it used to be called back in your time.”
“And what crime did ye commit, lass?”
She locked her eyes with his. Was he disappointed in her? Afraid to hear the answer?
No. He seemed to study her carefully but calmly. In fact, his tone was casual, as though he were asking what kind of tea she preferred. That should have been reassuring, but instead it bothered her.
