“Did you know your eyes are the color of bluebells?” he asked.
She glanced away, but her smile widened and her cheeks turned an adorable pink, replacing the earlier paleness. She bit her lip, making him wish he could do the same.
Finally, her eyes met his again. He had the urge to tell her how incredibly beautiful she was, but he feared he might overdo it.
“You are mad to say such things,” she said. He barely heard her above the roar of the wind overhead.
He held up his hands in surrender. “I speak the truth.”
Seona felt her face burning despite the icy wind, but she forced herself to meet Keegan’s gaze. There was so much she wished to tell him, but fear held her back. He was perfect… or he would be perfect for her, at least. Simply gazing into his enchanting sky-blue eyes made her feel happy. And his grin was naught but charm and seduction. Most impressive of all, he was a strong, heroic man who didn’t fear anything.
“You are…” What should she say?
He moved his head closer to hear her better, and turnedslightly so one of his ears was near her mouth.
“You are very brave and heroic. You saved my life,” she said, finding it easier to talk to him when he wasn’t looking directly into her eyes. “Twice.”
He pulled back a few inches, his lips twisting into a lopsided grin. “I thank you, m’lady,” he said. “I could never allow you to be injured.” He shook his head. “Over the past few months, I have wanted to talk to you or… dance with you but… you ken your aunt doesn’t like me.”
“Nonsense,” she said to be polite. Truth was Aunt Patience didn’t want her to go near him because she deemed him unacceptable as husband material for Seona.
“Come now, Lady Seona, you ken I speak the truth,” he said in a light tone. “Her glares are like sharp blades.”
She nodded. “My aunt is much like a guard dog.”
“Well, she has a right to be. You’re a beautifulladyand I’m…” He shrugged. “Just a guard.”
She frowned. “You are much more than that.”
’Twas obvious he was trying to maintain his pleasant expression, but a hint of sadness crept into his blue eyes that near broke her heart.
He shook his head. “Nay, I fear when it comes to you, Lady Seona, I’m naught but a knave and a rogue. I’ve hardly been able to concentrate today because of memories of that amazing kiss.” After shoving his fingers through his windblown, damp mane, he backed away and stared out at the blowing rain. “I must behave myself,” he muttered, as if to himself, but she heard it despite the roaring wind.
She could not take her eyes off him and the stunning passion in his gaze. He was right… completely and unequivocally right. He should never touch her again. She should’ve never allowed him to kiss her the night before, but she could not have stopped him any more than she could’ve stopped breathing. Speaking of which, her own breaths were now short and shallow. Her chest ached with the need to be closer to him. To touch him.
His gaze shifted to her. “Hell. Seona, don’t look at me like that.”
She pressed her eyes closed, the moisture gathering there burning. Why did she feel the urge to cry? ’Twas insanity. She was not normally a very emotional person. She should face facts now—she could never have Keegan. Even though he had owned her heart for months.
His warm, rough fingers touched her face. Her eyes popped open and she sucked in a sharp, surprised breath.
Standing an inch in front of her, Keegan frowned down at her. “Don’t you dare cry.”
She shook her head. “I’m not,” she said just above a whisper, her throat tight. ’Twas a lie, she knew, even as more tears formed in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry and didn’t understand why she was. She simply felt overwhelmed and confused by her own surging emotions, added to her earlier fear of the bolting horse. And Keegan’s close proximity only made everything more powerful.
When tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, she was mortified and tried to avert her face. Surely, he would think her a bairn.
He held her still and brushed his thumb beneath her eyes, catching her tears.
“Shh.” He kissed her forehead, his lips and breath warm and soft on her skin.
Feeling both comfort and excitement, she slipped her hands around his lean torso, her palms pressing against his sides. Moving closer to him and pushing her hands around to his back, she found most of the aching pressure leaving her chest. She could not believe how much she needed him and wanted him.
He held her close, pressing kisses to the top of her head. She laid her head against his chest and listened to his heart pounding in her ear. The appealing scent of him—male, spice and leather—was like a bewitching potion to her senses.
’Twas perfection.
Shortly, a bit of her sanity returned.Heavens!What must he think of her, embracing him in such a way? She drew back and glanced up at him.
