Page 92 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

His sword lowered as he turned to them. His labored breathing made his chest rise and fall slowly, and Ailis’ gaze dropped to the sinewy muscles ripping over his exposed arms. Sweat glistened on his body, and her cheeks burned just from looking at him like that.

Ailis kept her gaze upon Lileas until they reached him.

“Me Laird,” the little girl announced.

Gordon crouched in front of her immediately, like nothing else deserved his attention. “What have ye got there?”

“A flower.”

“I can see that.”

Lileas held it out. “For ye.”

His face softened, or maybe, he feigned shock. “For me?”

Lileas nodded solemnly. “Aye.”

Gordon accepted it carefully between his fingers. “Thank ye, wee one.”

Ailis smiled. She could not help it. When she finally looked up, she found Gordon watching her. Their eyes met, and her heart gave a small, foolish stumble.

She looked away quickly, and Rowan cleared his throat. Gordon glanced at his brother, and Rowan’s expression tightened as he nudged Gordon in the side, as if trying to pass a message.

Gordon sighed and glanced at Ailis again. He cleared his throat, and she saw his ears redden a bit before he asked, “How are ye findin’ the preparations?”

Ailis looked at him. “They are… all right.”

“All right?”

“Aye.”

Rowan nudged him again, and this time Gordon cleared his throat even more harshly. “If ye require aught, ye have but to ask.”

She hesitated. “Actually… there is one thing.”

Gordon waited for her to say more.

“I should like to redecorate the entire keep.”

He blinked, the color draining from his face almost immediately. She almost laughed at the look he had on, but she held back.

His mouth opened then closed. His brow arched then when Rowan coughed this time, he found his voice quickly. “The entire keep?” he asked in a shaky voice.

“Aye,” Ailis answered. “If ye will permit it of course?”

“Aye.” His voice was resigned. “Do it to yer pleasin’.”

Her smile broke free. “Thank ye, Me Laird.”

She dipped into a little curtsy before taking Lileas’s hand. “Come Lileas.”

They walked away, and Ailis waited until they were well beyond earshot before allowing herself to grin.

He has nay notion what he has agreed to.

But this was not simply about flowers and colorful cloth. She wanted warmth in these stone walls and laughter. She wanted the keep to feel lived in. And most of all, she wanted Gordon to have something of his own past around him.

His paintings.