Gabriella nodded,and Hector saw that some of the tension left her shoulders.
“I thoughtye might want to try Moira again,” he continued, nodding toward his gentlest mare. “But the mountain path is steeper than the fields where we practiced. Ye’ll ride with me today.”
Something flashed in her eyes.Was it disappointment? She’d shown remarkable progress in their lessons, and he recognized the pride she took in each new skill mastered.
“Perhaps on the return journey,”he said, surprising himself with the concession. “If the weather holds.”
That earnedhim the ghost of a smile, quickly hidden as she glanced down.
Without waiting for further discussion,he moved to her side and put his hands on her waist. She stiffened at his touch, but didn’t pull away. In one smooth motion, he lifted her onto his stallion’s back, noting how her body felt slightly fuller than during their first encounter—a sign the castle’s food was restoring her health.
“Rememberwhat I taught ye about balance,” he instructed as he swung himself up behind her, his chest pressed against her back as he reached around for the reins.
The scent of her hair,clean and faintly herbal from the castle soap, filled his nostrils, stirring memories of their kiss.
Out of thecorner of his eye, he caught Noah’s barely suppressed smirk. He shot him a warning glare that would have sent most men scrambling for cover. Noah merely arranged his features into an expression of exaggerated innocence.
Hector feltGabriella tremble slightly as he adjusted his grip on the reins, his arms effectively caging her against him.
“The village is busierthan usual today,” he said, deliberately keeping his tone businesslike. “Market day. Stay close.”
She gave a small nod,making a visible effort to relax her rigid posture.
As they movedthrough the castle gates and onto the path toward the village, Hector found himself uncomfortably aware of every small movement between them, of each time the horse’s motions pressed her more firmly against him.
The soft curvesof her backside nestled intimately against his groin, and he had to grit his teeth against the immediate physical response. Every subtle shift of her hips as the horse moved beneath them sent heat spiraling through him, making him painfully aware of how perfectly she fit against his body.
They rodein silence as the path wound down from Castle McCulloch toward the village below. The morning mist still clung to the lower slopes, shrouding the Highland landscape in a ghostly veil. Heather-covered hills rolled away to the distant mountains, their peaks sharp against the blue sky.
Hector kepthis stallion at a careful walk, mindful of the extra rider. With each step, Gabriella’s body swayed against his, a rhythmic pressure that played havoc with his concentration.
The gentle rockingmotion created a maddening friction between them, her soft warmth pressed so intimately against him that he could feel the heat of her skin through the layers of fabric. His thighs bracketed hers, and he was acutely aware of every breath she took, every small movement that brought them into closer contact.
She’d startedthe journey sitting stiffly before him, her back straight as a rod, careful to avoid contact. But as the minutes passed, he felt her gradually relax, her slender frame molding more naturally against him.
Her spine curved slightly,allowing her to settle fully into the cradle of his arms and chest. Her smell filled his senses with each breath. He could feel the gentle rise and fall of her torso, the way her ribcage expanded beneath his arm where it encircled her waist.
When they reached a particularlysteep section of the path, Hector tightened his arm around her waist to secure her. His palm spread wide across her stomach, his fingers spanning nearly from hip to hip, and he felt her muscles ripple beneath his touch.
He felther sharp intake of breath, heard the small sound that escaped her lips—not protest, but something else entirely. Her pulse visibly quickened at the base of her throat, and though she didn’t look back at him, he noticed the flush creeping up her neck.
The wayshe unconsciously leaned back into his chest, seeking his strength and warmth, made every protective instinct roar to life alongside the desire that already burned through his veins.
For a dangerous moment,he allowed himself to imagine sliding his hand higher, feeling the quickening of her heartbeat beneath his palm, or lower, to the soft curve of her hip.
The thoughtof her melting against him as she had during their kiss, of hearing those sweet sounds of pleasure again, nearly undid his carefully maintained control. Hector knew he needed to distract himself.
“Ye’re learnin’to move with the horse,” he muttered, his voice low near her ear. “A natural rider.”
She nodded,still not meeting his eyes. “I had a good teacher.”
The simple praiseshouldn’t have pleased him as much as it did. Hector shifted in the saddle, adjusting his grip on the reins. When her hand accidentally brushed his thigh as she steadied herself, he felt the touch like a brand even through the fabric of his kilt.
Noah rode several paces ahead,his watchful gaze scanning the path and surrounding trees. Hector was grateful for his friend’s vigilance—not just for security, but for the semblance of privacy it afforded them.
As they approached the village,the path widened, merging into the main road. Cottages appeared, smoke rising from stone chimneys. Villagers paused in their tasks as the three riders passed, offering respectful nods to their Laird.
Hector feltGabriella tense again as curious eyes turned their way. He was accustomed to scrutiny as the Laird, but he realized this attention was different. The villagers were openly staring at the woman in his arms.
