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Correction. What she wanted was him. But having him was out of the question, no matter how out of breath he made her, how alive he made her feel—like she could finally relax and be herself, to not need to justify her very existence.

She could be who she really was with him.

Amy cocked one eyebrow. “I don’t think being so protective is very typical of him.”

“And what’s typical of him?”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him with the same woman twice. And yet he’s giving you his bedroom and taking you under his wing.”

Amber shook her head, but her pulse accelerated. “He just feels responsible for me.”

“Owen might be a joker, and he might make mistakes, but he means well. And I know if it comes down to it, he’ll defend his clan until his dying breath. He might be a playboy, but once he falls in love, I don’t think he’ll fall out of it. Mark my words, it’ll be forever.”

Amber chewed on the inner side of her cheek. Fall in love… She remembered his lips on her, the way he called her “lass.” From his lips, the word sounded charged with pure sunshine. But he wasn’t in love with her. Of course not. Maybe a little infatuated, but nothing more.

And yet a tiny part of her heart wished he was in love with her. He was a wonderful man, the best man she’d ever met in her life. He wasn’t perfect—and that was exactly why she loved him.

Loved him?

No, she didn’t love him. How could she after such a short time together? Maybe she was infatuated with him. She definitely was very attracted to him. How could she not be? He was absolutely gorgeous. Simply being in the same room with him brought her a deep sense of peace, as though she’d finally found a part of her soul she’d lost a long time ago. As though finally, the hard journey was over, and she arrived home.

The only thing was how could she trust that feeling?

Chapter 22

Three days later…

Owen slammed the door to the stables shut behind him. The warm scent of horses, hay, and manure enveloped him, taking him away from the heated discussion he’d just had with his father. It seemed everything Owen did aggravated Dougal.

Owen had suggested he could train the young warriors, and surprisingly his father had allowed that. Craig and Domhnall had watched as he taught two dozen men in the courtyard, showing them the movements he’d used in Stirling for fighting in close proximity. Some of the men were surprised, they’d never seen him take any kind of initiative.

While the men were taking a brief rest, Owen had asked his father if he could teach the men on a regular basis. Dougal had answered that was Craig and Domhnall’s task. He didn’t trust that Owen would stick to it. His refusal and distrust were like a hard slap across Owen’s face.

His first instinct was to rebel and to flee, just like he had so many times before, but his new, responsible self protested. He would stay and prove everyone wrong. Show that he’d changed. That he could take responsibility and be trusted.

His second instinct was to find Amber and kiss her. Talk to her. Make love to her. Let her distract him.

But that would be a mistake. He’d been so good during the past three days, avoiding her even though it felt like he were pulling his own teeth.

He marched towards a stall to take a horse and ride north to a little cove on the loch where he always escaped when he felt like he did now—like an outsider in his own clan.

When his eyes had adjusted to the semidarkness of the stables, he realized he wasn’t alone. Amber stood by a horse one of the grooms was saddling for her.

“Hi,” she said.

Owen’s stomach clenched at the beautiful sight of her. He’d seen her walking here and there, with Amy for the most part. Everything brightened and gained color when he saw her. He longed to come over to her and just stand near her, to bath in her presence like in sunlight.

There was nowhere to run now.

“Lass,” he said and nodded. He walked to another horse and began saddling it.

Stop thinking of her.

She came to stand by his horse. “Going somewhere?” she asked.

His jaw clenched. “Aye,” he said without looking at her. He put the saddle on the horse’s back and began fastening it. “Ye?”

“Yeah. I’m tired of sitting inside and doing nothing. I just want to go for a ride.”