Page 12 of The Highlander’s Kilted Affair

“I am. Good night, braither,” Benedict said, turning away and walking down the corridor.

“Good night,” Audor called after him.

She lay there, sprawled in his bed, completely naked in all her glory. His lips tenderly kissed the soft skin of her stomach, moving lower and lower. She gasped and moaned, writhing beneath him, but he took his time. He wanted her to feel every sensation; his hot breath on her body, his lips.

His chin brushed the tiny hairs at the apex of her thighs, and moving his body lower to reach her, he grabbed her soft buttocks. Moving his mouth even lower, his tongue flicked out, and suddenly⁠—

Benedict was dragged awake by a loud disturbance in his room, and still shrouded with sleep, he blinked his eyes open to see Audor striding across his bedchamber.

“What the devil are ye doing?” Benedict groaned, his dry throat making his speech husky.

“I am sorry tae waken ye, braither, but I must leave,” Audor said, standing at the side of the bed.

He pushed himself to a sitting position. “Now?” he cried. “But it’s the middle o’ the night.”

“Aye. I ken. I have tae leave immediately. I have received word, and I must meet a scout who has information that is important fer me.”

“Will ye nae let me come with ye, Audor? I dinnae ken what ye are doing, but this is madness,” Benedict said.

“Nae,” Audor said firmly. “I need ye here. This news has come at a most inopportune time, given the arrival of the Sinclairs. I need ye tae take me place. I was supposed tae be spending time with Evelyn over the next couple of days. Taking the time tae get tae ken her ‘afore the wedding.”

“Then, surely it makes more sense fer me tae go and meet the scout, and fer ye tae stay here.”

Audor shook his head firmly. “I have told ye, braither. Nae one else can ken what is going on. Nae yet. It’s fer yer own safety. Trust me. I will be gone nae more than a week. Ye stay here and stand in fer me. Lady Sinclair willnae ken the difference. She doesnae ken us well enough.”

“Nae one kens us well enough,” Benedict confirmed. “Killian is the only one who can tell us apart.”

“Which is why he is the only other who kens o’ me leaving. Here, take this.” Audor pulled the clan ring from his finger and gave it to Benedict.

“But what if ye need it tae prove who ye are?” Benedict said, hesitantly taking the ring from his brother’s hand.

“I’ll be fine. Put it on.”

Benedict did as he was asked. It felt strange on his finger, although it was. Not the first time he had worn it, and immediately, he felt like a fraud.

“Promise me ye will spend some time with her, Benedict,” Audor said firmly.

“I will. I will.” Benedict nodded wearily.

“Good. I have arranged a horseback ride with her tomorrow. Dinnae go too far.”

“Are ye me maither now?” Benedict drawled sarcastically, eyeing his brother with a slight smirk.

Audor gave a weak smile. “It’s fer everyone’s safety. Now, I must away.”

And as quickly as he had entered, Audor left Benedict’s bedchamber, his cloak flowing behind him. Benedict, now wide awake, sat thinking about their conversation. He wished Audor would confide in him. His brother was worried about his safety, but Benedict had a dark feeling that it was Audor who was in the most danger. He kept stating that his discretion was for the safety of the clan, and thus, whatever he was doing, had to be dangerous. But he refused to answer Benedict’s question, and Benedict knew his brother well enough to know that he would tell him if he could.

His thoughts then moved to the promise he had made. He had to pretend to be his brother in Audor’s absence. It was not the first time, but still he couldn’t help but wonder if Audor would still have asked him if he had known what had already happened between Lady Sinclair and himself. He would do anything for his brother, but spending time with Lady Sinclair was going to be torture.

This lass had not left his mind for weeks, and now, there she was, under the very same roof. Only, he could not have her. Conflicting emotions arose. Indeed, it would be torture, but after the dream he had been having before Audor had woken him, another part of him could not help but feel just a little bit excited.