Page 97 of My Notorious Highlander

She rose up on her tiptoes and met his lips. "Mmm." Her mouth felt so good beneath his, he near went mad. He loved the way she always opened to him, and the way she teased his tongue with hers. She tasted of wine and sweet blueberry tart. He would devour every inch of her, given the chance.

His hands wandered up from her waist, and he stroked a thumb over her nipple, finding it hard and so enticing. Saints! How he wanted to draw it deeply into his mouth.

Someone screeched. "M'lady!" Then the door slammed.

Jessie jerked her arms from around his neck and spun to face the closed door.

"Who was that?" she demanded.

"I think 'twas Flora," he said, though he hadn't truly seen the woman. He'd been too caught up in the kiss to care.

"Now she thinks I'm a strumpet, I'm certain."

"Not if you would marry me."

She glared at him, though 'twas not a fully serious glare, merely one that warned him to not bring up the subject. But he couldn't help it. Much as it might pain her to discuss the matter, her refusal to marry him pained him just as much.

∞∞∞

Torrin joined Dirk and the other men in the solar as they sipped whisky late one night. In the two weeks since his injury, Torrin had made a lot of progress. He was gaining strength every day and was able to stay up all day now. His abdomen was still sore from his wounds but the stitches had been removed and the cuts were healed closed. He knew 'twould take much longer to rebuild the strength of those muscles, but he'd already been working on it. He'd even practiced with his sword a bit, though he knew Iain had gone easy on him.

"We're off in the morn," Isobel's brother, Chief Cyrus MacKenzie said, referring to him, his younger brother, and their men.

"Och. I wish you'd stay longer," Dirk said.

"I'll be back in the spring for the birth of my new nephew, or niece." Though the man looked like a dark, hardened warlord, he obviously had a soft spot for the wee ones.

"We'll look forward to that," Dirk said.

"I'm going to head south with Cyrus," Rebbie said.

"You are?" Dirk asked, his eyes widening. And Torrin knew 'twas because Rebbie had been at Dirk's side most every day for more than a year. And that they'd been friends for over a decade.

"I think I'll pay our friend, Lachlan, a visit. I haven't seen him since November."

Dirk nodded, a nostalgic half-smile upon his face. "I'd like to see Lachlan. He's probably a proud da by now."

"Indeed." Rebbie grinned. "I'm looking forward to seeing if he's capable of holding a wee newborn bairn in those big paws of his."

Dirk laughed and shook his head. "In addition to a son, I hope he has ten daughters so he has to worry about rogues like he used to be."

Rebbie snickered. "I'll tell him you said that."

"Aye. Also tell him I wish him the best of health and happiness."

Rebbie nodded.

"And as for you," Dirk said, giving his friend a pointed look. "I hope you find a fiery lass who steals your heart and shows you unending happiness."

Rebbie shook his head. "I don't ken whether to thank you or give you the evil eye."

Torrin and the other men laughed.

"You'll thank me." Dirk sipped his whisky. "Isobel is the absolute best thing that's ever happened to me. Sorry, Torrin."

Torrin held up his hand. "I'm glad you came upon her in that snowstorm and rescued her. You two are perfect for each other." And if he hadn't, Torrin would've never met Jessie. Now, he knew Jessie was his destiny and his life. He simply had to convince her of that.

"He's a good man. He doesn't hold bride-thievery against you," Rebbie said.