Page 47 of The Laird's Secret Bairn

“Then leave,” he grunted. “Before I forget meself entirely.”

Skye hesitated, taking a step back.

“Skye, I told ye?—”

She turned around and fled as fast as her feet would carry her.

Dougal dropped his hand, letting it dangle uselessly at his side. Skye had looked back not once, but twice. He wanted to chase after her, press his lips against hers and show her just how much he desired her, but he didn’t, remaining where he stood instead.

She was right to rush away, and he was also right to send her away.

She had been clear about what she expected, but now he damned himself quietly for agreeing to it.

17

For the second night in a row, Skye went to sleep with an uneasy feeling in her chest. Dougal had nearly kissed her yesterday, and had he not brought up her rule, she would have let him.

She would have tossed it out of the window to feel his rough lips against hers. Would his stubble prickle? How would it feel against her skin or under her hands?

What would he do with his tongue?

He was quite skilled. That time in the drawing room when he had wrung pleasure from her was proof of that.

Freya had talked of such kisses, how a man could use his tongue to explore. Skye had been disgusted at first. It had sounded horrendous. But now it was all she could think about. She wanted to know what it would feel like to kiss Dougal.

She settled into bed that night, staring up at the ceiling.

How many sleepless nights had she endured because of him? She had lost count at this point. She rolled over onto her side, tucking the covers up to her chin.

She drifted in and out of sleep, waking up to dreams of Dougal making her climax again and again. The tingling between her legs was tempting. She slid a hand down her nightgown, touching her damp inner thighs.

A creak outside her door had her wrenching her hand from between her legs, staring wide-eyed at the darkened wall. She had nearly given in to the urge to touch herself.

It was all Dougal’s fault. Yet another grievance she could add to her list.

When the sun shone through the window, she started her morning much like she had the other day—wrenching the covers over her head to block out the light.

But she had to get up. She had promised to help Lily this morning.

Lily was convinced that she had to help the baby goat and Blossom bond as family. The problem was that she had no idea how to go about it, which was how she had managed to convince Skye to help.

Skye dressed quickly, choosing a simple gown of soft yellow wool. It was a practical dress that would allow her to chase after a kitten and a goat without worrying about ruining anything fine.

For the second time in a row, she left her hair loosely braided, tucking a few stray strands behind her ear.

Lily was already waiting by the window just outside her bedroom with Blossom and the goat. She waved Skye over, beaming from ear to ear. “Skye, ye came!”

Skye smiled. “I promised ye I would come, did I nae?”

“Aye!” Lily exclaimed.

“Have ye thought of a name?” Skye asked, smiling.

Lily shook her head. “Nay, I havenae come up with one yet! I want to wait and ask Da if he’ll pick one with me.”

That made Skye’s heart swell with joy.

“Did ye think of a way to help Blossom and her new family bond?” Lily asked.