Page 36 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Gordon’s jaw tightened so hard it hurt.

“Did I do well?” she asked, her voice light, almost teasing.

He forced himself to look into her eyes and not at her mouth.

Ye did too well.

That was the answer he could not give. It lingered on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he asked, “Ye’re enjoyin’ yer position then?”

“Aye.” Her smile widened. “Immensely.”

Goodness, she is bonnie.

Gordon fought the awareness as it came, and he tore his gaze from her smile. He glanced around the hall instead, trying to focus.

A servant girl was laughing while she kneaded bread. Two of the older men were arguing cheerfully over how much meat would be needed for the evening meal. Beth looked almost smug. Even Malcolm had appeared near the doorway, wearing the knowing expression Gordon was beginning to despise.

This was not what he had intended.

Ailis had been meant to make trouble, not grow accustomed to his people. He expected her to complain about the work. To sulk. To find the household beneath her. To discover that life was too hard, too plain, too demanding for her.

Instead, she is here, as if she has always belonged.

And it unsettled him that he noticed.

He stared at the tiny flour mark near her jaw and the loose curl against her cheek again. Heat recoiled through him like a volcano and sent every inch of him firing up with the need to draw closer to her.

Gordon drew one slow breath to steady himself.

He noticed the slight lift of her chin when she wanted to appear fearless and the dimple that appeared beside her mouth when she was particularly pleased with herself.

Then there was that mouth. Her lips full and plush, begging to be kissed again.

He had to get away from her.

“Thank ye, Me Laird,” she said, sweetly now, “for this opportunity.”

The words were innocent, but the look in her eyes was not. Gordon knew that look. It was a taunting one of mischief.

His chest tightened. “Ye’re…” The word left him before he could stop it. Ailis waited, and Gordon looked at her before he swallowed and added, “Welcome.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Was that difficult?” she asked.

“Was what difficult?”

“Being gracious,” she said with a chuckle.

Saints.

Gordon looked away before his face betrayed him. He could not let her see what she was doing to him.

I cannae let anyone see.

This was precisely why she needed to leave.

He could not afford to forget what Ailis really was.

A distraction… and she shouldnae be here.