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“Is it really such a bad thing to be betrothed to me? Do ye really dislike me that much?”
She breathed deeply, her cheeks becoming even more crimson, the color traveling down her throat, dipping below the collar of her shirt. How he wished to tear that dress she wore and see how far the redness would go.
“That isnae what I meant.”
“Then, what did ye mean?”
“I simply meant that it feels like an order,” she said. “Otherwise—”
“Otherwise what?” he interjected.
“It wouldnae be such a bad thing at all.”
Flynn did not know if he had been expecting such an answer or not, but his heartbeat quickened at her reply.
He moved closer, his finger still under her chin as they continued staring into one another’s eyes. Her gaze darted towards his lips momentarily, and he knew she wanted him to kiss her just as much as he wanted to relive that moment that had been invading his memories since a year ago.
The wood crackling in the fireplace suddenly spat fire a little louder than usual, just as Flynn’s lips almost touched Astrid’s. They both immediately jerked away as the parlor door burst open, followed by running footsteps that could have only belonged to children.
Flynn cursed under his breath as he turned to look and found Sam walking in followed by Tiara and Crane. In their arms, they held a meowing Bannock, who leapt out and ran towards her mistress as soon as she saw her.
“We found the lady’s cat on the second floor. She looked lost and was trying to find her way, so we brought her here,” Sam said as a way of introduction.
“Oh, Bannock.” Astrid grinned as the cat licked her hands, clearly ecstatic to be reunited with her mistress.
“Mother told us the cat was yers,” Tiara explained, smiling at Astrid shyly.
“Thank ye so much, ye all. I was wondering where Bannock was meself,” Astrid said, placing a caressing hand on Tiara’s head. She turned towards Flynn. “I think I must get some sleep now.”
“Have a good night, Astrid,” he replied swiftly, knowing it was the best thing to do. Asking her to stay was not a wise idea.
Flynn watched as she stood up and exited the parlor, Bannock still in her arms. He could not take his eyes off her until she disappeared entirely, his mind lingering on the almost kiss that could have happened between them. He wondered what it was about them and almost kisses and interruptions. The more he wished to be closer to her, the more distance was brought between them.
“Me Laird?” Sam’s whisper forced Flynn to tear his eyes away from the door and look at the three children, who were staring at him worriedly.
“Yes?” Flynn asked, making sure he sounded calm.
He loved the three of them immensely and had known them since they had been babies. He could not strangle them because they had ruined the kiss with the woman of his dreams. Or at least he tried to tell himself so.
“Did we do something wrong by bringin’ the cat ‘ere?” Sam asked, the spokesperson for the three children, since he was the oldest.
Flynn laughed, wondering why they would think they did something wrong. He knew they were too innocent to understand almost kisses, but his angry expression when they had first entered must have brought them to this conclusion. Although, now that he was able to once again think rationally, he knew kissing Astrid was not the best course of action. At least not yet.
“Nay, I think ye did more good than harm by coming here,” Flynn said honestly as their expressions turned to that of relief.
He couldn’t help wondering how long he would be able to keep his distance because he knew he had no control when it came to Astrid Wright.
CHAPTER7
As Flynn walkedinside the dining room, early morning the next day, his eyes immediately landed on Astrid. She was seated at the large table beside his grandmother, her face lit up with a beautiful smile as she laughed her heart out at whatever story Crane, Billy’s youngest son, was telling her. The proud father sat right beside him while Flynn’s grandmother shook her head as she too laughed at whatever was being said.
Flynn ignored everyone else and trained his gaze on Astrid as he assumed his seat at the head of the table. As everyone’s eyes met his, the laughter quietened for a few seconds before Astrid turned the full force of her smile towards him. She was wearing a simple red tunic and kirtle and wasn’t as lavishly dressed as she had been last night for dinner. Although, he couldn’t help but wonder how she managed to look so effortlessly beautiful even in such a simple fashion. There was something about her.
“What are ye all laughing about?” Flynn asked, finally sitting down. He had asked everyone the question, but his gaze was still directed towards his betrothed, who didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by it.
“Crane was telling us a story. I believe he has a unique gift for narration and storytelling,” Astrid said, smiling warmly.
“Crane has always been talented, isn’t that right?” Flynn said, turning to the little boy, who was beaming at the praise.
