Under the Highlander's Spell(21)
“What is it you are looking for here?” she asked.
He glanced over at her and wondered himself. Was he remaining because of his brother or because of her? He couldn’t answer, and that disturbed him. He turned and focused on her eyes, always so passionately bright. “I’m not sure.”
“Then you should remain here until you are.”
“I was thinking the same myself.”
Chapter 8
Zia yawned and attempted to stretch the exhaustion out of her body. After a lovely supper with her grandmother and Artair, she had hoped for some quiet time alone with him. She had no idea why she was attracted to Artair. She liked that he was considerate and intelligent and also charming, but she believed he reasoned more than necessary.
How could anyone rationalize love? The idea still had her shaking her head.
Another yawn reminded her why her plans had changed. The barbarian developed a fever, and it had taken hours of constant care to make certain he didn’t succumb to it. He was resting now, spent from his ordeal.
Zia wandered outside the cottage, the late summer night cool and the dark sky clear, every star sparkling as if it had just been polished. The waning moon seemed to blink awake from a peaceful slumber, and she heard the occasional sound of nocturnal animals that prowled the night.
She took a deep breath, drawing in the peace and beauty of the late night.
“Tired?”
Zia jumped, startled by the unexpected but familiar voice, then watched Artair emerge from the darkness. He was bare-chested, his dark green and black clan plaid wrapped smartly around him. His dark hair was tousled, which had Zia assuming he’d just rolled out of bed.
“What are you doing here?” she asked curiously.
“I woke, saw your bed empty and grew concerned,” he said, stepping closer.
“Concerned for whom?”
“You know full well who. I could care less what happens to the barbarian.”
He cares about me.
The thought yanked at her heart strings and filled her with joy.
Oh, dear, is that good or bad?
“The barbarian does well,” she said.
“It’s you I wish to know about.”
“I am fine.”
“But exhausted.” He moved in closer and reached out to gently caress her cheek with the back of his hand. “I can see it in your face.”
“A lass can’t be expected to look good all the time,” she teased.
“But you do. You always look beautiful.”
“Now you tell tales,” Zia said, though she smiled.
“You believe me trustworthy, remember. So therefore I do not lie. When I say you always look beautiful, I mean it.” He cupped her chin. “Your loveliness plays havoc with my senses.”
“Now you surely tease, for I am far from intoxicating.”
He brushed his cheek faintly against hers. “I am besotted by your scent alone.”
She pressed her cheek against his and could almost hear the sizzle of his coolness meeting her warmth. It sent tingles racing through her, and she knew at that moment that she wanted him to kiss her. She actually hungered for the taste of him, knowing his flavor would be tangy and bold and oh so delicious.
“And what of taste?” she invited.
He kept hold of her chin and stared into her eyes. “Spicy and audacious.”
“Are you sure?”
“There is only one reasonable way to find out.”
“Reasonable?” she repeated curiously. “You reason a kiss?”
“Damned if I didn’t put my foot in my mouth,” he mumbled.
“You don’t reason; you just kiss,” she said, as if speaking to a young child who needed instructions. “It happens—no planning, no reasoning, no wondering.” She sighed. “You simply kiss.”
Zia was suddenly grabbed and yanked into Artair’s arms and his mouth captured her open one and within seconds he demonstrated his prowess. Good Lord, he knocked the breath out of her and she went limp in his arms.
Her mind reeled, her lips pulsated, her tongue mated with his and her legs trembled. Heavens, could the man kiss.
Her head fell to rest on his naked shoulder after the kiss ended, with reluctance on her part, though necessary since she needed to reclaim the breath he had so expertly stolen from her.
When she was finally able and he certainly didn’t rush her since his arms remained firm around her as she lifted her head and with a soft smile said, “I liked that.”
“As did I.”
“It wasn’t planned. It just happened.”
“Actually,” he said with a grin, “I realized that if you didn’t stop talking—”
Zia stepped away from him and covered her ears with her hands. “Please don’t make it seem planned. It will ruin it for me.”