Page 84 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“For what?”

“For ye to leave.”

The silence that followed cut deeper than any blade.

“Ye truly want me gone?”

Gordon’s heart clenched, but he said nothing still till she walked away. He could go after her, tell her he did not want her to ever leave. That he enjoyed her presence far more than he had ever anticipated. Instead, he shunned the thought and let his feet carry him toward the healer’s chamber.

Me wound needs tendin’ to.

That was what he told himself. It was better than admitting that he had no idea what else to do with a heart that seemed determined to ache whenever Ailis walked away.

The hunting parties were already gathering in the courtyard when Gordon stepped outside.

Men stood beside their horses, checking saddles and bows while laughter carried across the yard. Clan colors fluttered from the stone walls, and the morning air smelled of damp earth and horses.

Gordon’s gaze found Ailis almost at once, and he saw Kerr walking toward her. Gordon crossed the yard before he could reach her.

“I shall take Miss Ailis,” he said before Kerr got the chance. “Ye owe me a favor, Ma’am,” he added when her lips parted with her protest.

“For what?”

“The games yesterday.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That hardly deserves a favor.”

“Kerr lost, and yer favor was me prize. I am here to collect that favor. Ye will ride with me for the hunt.”

Ailis glared at him, her cheeks burning with a crimson shade that he liked, but she did not say a thing. She simply pressed her lips together and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Ye forget, Me Laird. I donae ride.”

“I ken.”

“Then why are ye askin’? I had nay intentions of joinin’ the hunt today and…”

“I shall be beside ye the entire time,” he said, and the words sounded more like an invitation than anything else. Gordon lowered his voice. “I willnae let anythin’ happen to ye.”

She looked toward the waiting horses then back at him, her uncertainty clear in the way her blue eyes held his.

“Ye swear it?”

“I give ye me word.”

Ailis swallowed. “All right.”

She walked with him toward his horse, and before she could change her mind, Gordon placed his hands around her waist and lifted her effortlessly into the saddle.

Her breath caught. “Gordon!”

He looked up at her. “Hold the reins.”

“I ken how to hold reins.”

“Then hold them.”

She glared down at him. “Ye are enjoyin’ this.”