Page 30 of Stealing a Kilted Heart

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Ye will never believe what happened.”

Those were the first words out of Fia’s mouth the moment she was back in the castle. She searched for Bane immediately, her heart racing, desperate to tell him what had happened between her and the laird. She had dragged him from the forge back to their cottage so that she could be certain it was just the two of them, with no one around to eavesdrop.

“Why are ye wet? An’ whose cloak is that?” Bane asked, ignoring her. “Come, sit. I’ll light a fire.”

Fia hadn’t even realized she was still wet. She didn’t even know she was cold up until that moment or that she was still wearing the laird’s cloak. Everything else but that kiss had evaporated from her mind. The kiss and the… the other thing. All that was left was the memory of the laird’s lips against hers, the way he had pulled her close.

He had brought her hand to his manhood. The memory sent a new wave of embarrassment through Fia, but she couldn’t deny it was coupled with an arousal so great that she was swaying on her feet. Never before had she felt such a rush of excitement, such a thrill. Even with Callum, whom she had thought she loved, the thought of laying with him had not been as exciting as the few moments she had shared with Laird Stuart.

But then he had apologized and withdrawn, and the ride back to the castle had been silent an awkward in a way nothing had ever been between them before. Doubt gnawed at her. Laird Stuart had been very clear about his attraction towards her, but then he had dropped her off and disappeared, and Fia couldn’t help but worry that he would avoid her from then on.

She couldn’t have that, she had to make sure he did not go off her.

When Bane lit the fire, Fia grabbed a chair and dragged it closer to the flames, rubbing some warmth back into her arms.

“Sit,” she told him. “Ye need tae hear this.”

“I’ll make ye some tea an’—”

“Bane, sit,” Fia insisted, and it was her tone which finally convinced him to take a seat next to her, looking at her expectantly.

“Well?”

Fia took a deep breath, steeling herself. Now that it was finally time to tell Bane, she found it difficult to speak, but if she didn’t share this with him, she was certain she would burst.

“Laird Stuart kissed me.”

Bane, staring at her in absolute disbelief, choked on thin air.

Three days had passed with Knox never once seeing Fia, but he knew he would bump into her sooner or later. At least now he felt more comfortable, more at ease, the memory of that kiss and that touch buried deep in his mind, where he could safely ignore it.

He couldn’t say the same about his attraction to Fia. That only grew with every passing day, no matter how hard he tried to focus his energy and attention on other things. Often, at night, it was all he could think about, having Fia for himself. Now that she was sitting down the length of the table at dinner, it was difficult to remember why he wanted to avoid her in the first place.

It had been Effie’s request. She had wanted Fia there, and of course, wherever Fia went, Bane followed.

Knox watched the two of them as they chatted. He watched as Bane grabbed the pieces of turnip from Fia’s plate and replaced them with some of his potatoes. He watched as she poured some of her wine in his cup.

He watched the little touches they exchanged, so painfully familiar, the two of them moving around each other with such practiced ease, the kind that came after years of living with someone.

Next to him, Magnus was speaking, but Knox hadn’t heard any of it. His attention was solely focused on Fia and Bane, and it wasn’t until Magnus snapped his fingers in front of his face that Knox dragged his attention to him, gaze still distant.

“What?” Knox asked, much to Magnus’ chagrin.

“I said there is an issue with the main gates,” Magnus said, slowly this time as though he believed Knox could hardly understand him. “With the chains.”

“I can help with that,” Bane called from the other end of the table. “Are they gettin’ rust?”

“Seems like it,” said Magnus. “Ye should look at them when ye have the chance.”

“On the morrow,” Bane promised. “I’ll dae it first thing.”

How terribly helpful o’ him.

It was a bitter thought, one Knox wished had never popped in his mind. He couldn’t help it, though. For all the reassurance he had received that there was nothing romantic between Fia and Bane, he was terribly jealous—now more than ever. He had tasted her lips and he couldn’t help but want more. He wanted anything he could get and he didn’t want Bane to stand in his way.

The rest of the dinner passed by in a blur. Knox hardly touched his food, but when everyone stood, he sprung into action, stopping Fia before she could leave.