Page 86 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

She took it uncertainly then looked back at him again. “I daenae ken what I am doin’.”

“I’ll show ye.” He stepped behind her, and Ailis went very still. “Hold it here.” His hand settled lightly over her elbow. “Keep yer arm steady.”

She drew in a deep breath, and he inched even closer to her, so his head stayed beside hers. Gordon tried not to stare at the beautiful curve of her nape and the way her lips quivered now that he was close to her.

“Like this?” she questioned in a shaky voice.

“Aye.”

He moved her elbow slightly, angling up so her aim improved.

“Now draw,” Gordon whispered to her.

The string pulled taut, and Ailis’ breath trembled as she released the bow string. Her shot was terrible, and the arrow did not make it far, yet her lips parted in a wide smile, and the corners of her eyes lifted with it.

For one reckless moment, the bow ceased to matter. Neither did the hunt. There was only her and the pounding of his heart desperately trying to settle.

His hand fell away from her elbow when his head started spinning. He stepped back, noticing how the sky started to darken. Then the first drop of rain struck his cheek.

“We should find shelter,” Gordon said, taking her hand before she could say anything.

He lifted the deer and dragged it back to the horse, hefting the carcass on top of the saddle and tying it down securely. Together they led the horse to a nearby pavilion where he usually liked to rest whenever he went riding in the moors. Nearby, he tied their horse under the shelter of an oak tree, removed the deer, and untacked horse. Finally, he dragged the carcass away from the horse and tied it to another tree to keep it away from predators who might enjoy an easy meal.

Rain began falling in earnest as he finished his work then they hurried towards the pavilion, and neither of them noticed how tightly their hands were joined until they reached shelter.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The rain continued falling around them through the cracks between the boards above in the weathered structure that no longer provided much protection from a storm. The water dripped softly, darkening the stones beneath their feet.

Ailis drew her cloak tighter around herself, but it did little to shield her from the cold.

“Ye’ll catch cold,” Gordon said when she stretched out a hand to let the rain touch her palm.

Ailis withdrew her hand slowly, but she did not look at him. Her body still burned from his nearness earlier, and she was a bit grateful for the cold because it helped cool her off a little.

“I have survived worse than rain.”

He gave her a look. “Ye are shiverin’.”

“I am nae,” she denied then another shiver raked through her and made her shudder.

Without another word, Gordon reached for the heavy woolen plaid draped around his shoulders. He loosened it and settled it over hers, tucking the thick fabric closer around her neck.

The scent of him clung to it. Ailis’ breath caught as she inhaled it deeply. It was warm, like lean Highland air, faint smoke from the hearth, leather, and the subtle earthy trace of pine and cedar that seemed to belong only to Gordon.

She drew an unconscious breath, and there he was again. Not beside her, yet somehow close enough to make her heart stumble. His scent lingered against her skin, wrapping around her like an invisible touch.

“Thank ye,” she murmured, even though she hated that she felt so many things and did not know how he felt.

“Aye.”

For a while, neither spoke. Ailis watched droplets gather on the leaves outside the pavilion before falling in glittering trails.

“I used to like rain,” she said, heaving a deep breath.

Gordon glanced at her. “Ye did?”

“Aye. When I was a lass, Sorcha and I would sit by the window and watch it. I always thought it made the world look different.”