Page 33 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

“Margo,” he said, fighting down the desire to lecture her about leaving during the storm, or coming to the cliffs on her own, or roaming the lands without a light in the darkness.

He could hardly believe she had endangered herself for a kitten. Then again, he remembered the fierce determination in her eyes when she had stood up to him in his study. Much as he wanted to vent his fear and anger on her, he would not.

“Come. I’ve brought me horse,” he said gruffly, pulling her from her hiding place.

When she was free, he put his hand on her lower back, needing to feel that she was here and alive. Through the fabric of her gown and corset, he could feel just how cold her skin was. It made his heart clench painfully in his chest.

“Why did you come?” she asked as they approached his horse. Her footsteps slowed, her body tensing up as though she were just now realizing that he was touching her. “After my behavior in your study… You…”

“Come now,” he insisted, the front of his sweater starting to wiggle. “We must get ye out of the rain. Ye’re freezin’.”

“Cameron,” she said, slipping away from his grip and staring up at him with her arms crossed over her chest. “Why?”

Her mouth was set in a severe frown, a line of indignation formed between her brows. Rain dripped down her face, caressing the curve of her cheek. Each flash of lightning illuminated her face, making her beauty even more striking. As thunder rolled above them, angry and demanding, he felt himself being drawn in even closer.

Before he could answer, lightning struck again, making her pale skin glow. Then, the tiny, fury-gray head he’d been trying to conceal popped out from beneath the layers of wool he was wearing. Margo’s eyes flitted from his face down to the kitten she’d been willing to risk her safety for.

“You… you found her?” she asked, her voice shaking as though she couldn’t allow herself to believe what she was seeing.

“Aye,” Cameron said, leaning down so she could stroke the kitten’s head. The tiny creature began to purr, seemingly pleased to be reunited with Margo. “I found it.”

For a long moment, she stayed there, rubbing her forefinger against the soft fur. She was so close, and Cameron had to resist the urge to pull her against his chest and shelter her from the storm. The only thing stopping him was the kitten between the two of them.

“Where was she?” Margo asked, finally withdrawing her touch, though she didn’t drop her hand.

The storm around them seemed to calm. Rain still poured, but the lightning and thunder sounded as though they were getting further away. The need to get back inside was still pressing, but it no longer felt like a matter of life and death..

“The beast,” Cameron said, grunting as the kitten worked herself free from beneath his sweater. She dug her claws in, perching herself on his shoulder and looking down at Margo from her vantage point, “was hidin’ from the thunder beneath me blankets again.”

A laugh of pure relief fell from Margo’s lips. He frowned down at her, pulling his shoulders back to make himself look bigger. The kitten on his shoulder adjusted her stance to keep from falling off. The sight only seemed to deepen her joy, and despite his best efforts, he found himself sharing in her laughter with a soft smile.

“Why did ye nae wait?” he asked, trying to take control of the situation. It was clearly out of his hands, though, especially as the kitten nuzzled against his cheek. “Must ye always be so reckless?”

Margo only seemed to laugh harder, her hands wrapping around her stomach to hold onto her sides. Through her giggles, she asked, “She was in the castle all along?”

He was fully smiling now, his attempts to hide it completely useless. The sound of her laughter was the sweetest he’d ever heard. Even though it was entirely at his expense, he didn’t want her to stop.

I’d make a fool of meself every day if I kent it would make ye laugh like this.

The thought rushed through him unbidden. It didn’t wipe his smile away, though. He didn’t think anything could.

“I ken, I ken,” he grumbled, his voice not carrying any heat. “A big Highland warrior bein’ used as a kitten’s perch. It’s very funny.”

“It is,” Margo said, slowly rebuilding her composure.

She closed the distance between them, her smile so wide it made the apples of her cheeks round with delight. He watched as she reached out toward the kitten. But she did something unexpected.

Instead of reaching for the kitten again, her fingertips gently brushed against his forehead as she swept his long, rain-soaked hair from his face. His breath caught, something low and possessive rumbling in his chest. When she didn’t pull away, his eyes fell shut for a beat.

Saints, give me strength.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Margo did not know what had compelled her to reach forward. It was something instinctive, a desire to touch the man who had found the kitten. Even more than that, her emotions were swelling and swirling in her mind.

“Thank you,” she whispered, the sound of the rain fading as the intensity of the storm waned.

Cameron’s eyes opened, his pupils dilated so wide that she couldn’t see the ring of color around his irises. She could barely take a full breath, and his radiating warmth rendered her incapable of pulling her hand away from him.