Page 87 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

“Different?”

“More mysterious.” Her smile softened. “As though there might be another world hidden behind it.”

Gordon looked toward the mist-covered hills.

“Have ye ever traveled beyond the Highlands?” she asked, glancing at him this time.

“Nay.”

The answer surprised her. She expected that a man like him would have explored all there was to the lands beyond what they knew.

“Never?”

He shook his head.

Ailis studied him. “I have always wanted to. I have longed to travel beyond the Highlands.” Her voice brightened as she spoke. “To see Edinburgh. The islands. France, perhaps. I would like to see the sea from somewhere beyond Scotland. I want to walk through markets where I daenae ken a single face. I want to see paintings in great halls and hear musicians from places I have never heard of.”

She laughed softly. “I ken it sounds foolish.”

“It doesnae.”

She turned toward him. “What about ye? What do ye long for? What do ye dream of?”

Gordon’s gaze remained fixed on the rain, his jaw muscles working tight before he answered, “I wanted to travel once.” Ailis waited for him to say more, and he did. “When I was a lad. I used to come here and go to the cliff to watch the valley below.”

“I would hide beneath this pavilion when me uncle was angry. I would sit for hours and imagine I was somewhere else.”

Something inside Ailis ached. She pictured him as a child, alone beneath the rain, clutching whatever small hope he had been able to protect.

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, something unguarded passed through them. Then it vanished.

“But dreams are for bairns,” he added quietly. “I daenae do that anymore.”

Ailis frowned. “Why?”

“Me duty is more important,” he answered.

Ailis looked down at the plaid around her shoulders, and her fingers clenched the wool tight. “Is that why ye want me gone? Is it duty that makes ye want that?”

Ailis’ heart sank when his face drew back into its usual scowl that closed him off then he looked away from her.

His jaw tightened, and she reached out to touch his arm.

“Gordon…” she whispered, her voice breaking into a stuttered gasp as he turned to look at her.

His eyes drifted down to her lips, and her heart began pounding as she waited for him to look away.

Or perhaps I should step away?

Ailis thought he might kiss her, and she did not know whether she wanted that.

What if he pulls away after?

Her heart began beating harder.

He is goin’ to kiss me.

She should have stepped away. Instead, she remained perfectly still, her lips parting on a shallow breath as his gaze met hers. A dark glimpse of desire flickered there, restrained yet unmistakable, and it sent a shiver down her spine.