He waved her off like some pesky insect. “Ye smother the lad.”
“Nay. I dinnae.”
“Aye, ye do.”
“Nay, I dinnae.” Katie turned to Gavin. “We will be right back.” She grabbed Evan’s arm and dragged him to the back of the stable. “’Tis my right to decide how to raise the lad. I dinnae feel he is ready to ride yet.”
“Is that right?”
“Aye.”
“And how old were ye when you started riding?”
That stopped her cold. She began to count and realized she’d been younger than Gavin. Somehow she’d seemed older. She’d always felt older. First, because she’d been alone with her mum and da, and then when Gavin was born, and Mum had died within days, she’d taken over the entire keep as well as the raising of her brother.
“That dinnae matter, since I was older than Gavin when I was his age.”
He grinned at her, raising her ire even more. “Did ya hear what ye just said? That makes no sense.”
“It does.” She waved her hand around. “I had responsibilities he never had to handle.”
“Then ’tis time he did take on some responsibilities. He’s a lad, not a bairn still in nappies, and will grow into a mon—if ye allow it.”
“If I allow it! Of course I want him to grow into a mon. It’s just that he is sensitive and shy. He is not the type to—”
“There is only one way to shut ye up, lass.” Evan pulled her flat against his chest, taking all the air from her lungs. Before she could inhale, his mouth covered hers in what could only be called a frenzy. He nipped, sucked, nibbled, and nudged her sealed lips until she opened. Then he entered with a vengeance, a master taking control.
His kisses, along with her lack of air, almost had her swooning. Something she never did, since only Sassanachs were so weak.
“Ah, lass, ye make me crazy,” he mumbled against her neck as he scattered kisses along her jawline to the soft skin underneath her ear, then back to her mouth again. His hands wandered over her shoulders and back, then covered her bottom, pulling her tight against him.
Her body relaxed against his warmth. Again, she had the urge to rip her clothes off—his too—in an attempt to cool off. Or continue with what he’d started, which would probably go much better without clothing.
Her own hands did some wandering of their own, over his muscled chest, large shoulders, and strong arms. The scent of soap, along with leather and man, teased her nose. Her fingers twisted his hair, and she held on for dear life, since she’d apparently lost all her common sense.
“Katie?” Gavin’s voice broke into her scattered mind, nudging her back to time and place. For goodness sake, she stood in the very visible stable, in the middle of the day, in a passionate embrace with the man to whom she’d come to deliver a set-down.
She pulled away, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. She turned and walked away, stumbling at first, until she accepted Evan’s hand to right herself. “Yes, my love,” she almost gasped breathlessly to her brother. “I am here. I only wanted a few words with the laird.”
He watched her anxiously. “Is he still going to take me riding?”
Riding? Was someone going riding? She hesitated for a moment, then smiled what she hoped didn’t look like a grimace. “Did you want the laird to take you riding?” Still trying to put the pieces of her mind back together, she ignored Evan when he walked up to Gavin.
“Aye. I would like to learn to ride. The other lads do, and they tease me about being afraid of horses.” He patted the old, weathered horse he held by the halter. “Except this one. This one is nice.”
Nice. She had to admit there was nothing at all frightening about this horse. He looked as though he would be happy to take a nap right where he stood. Katie glanced up at Evan, who stood next to Gavin, his arms crossed over his chest, and a smirk on his face. Oh, how she hated him being right. Especially when it came to her brother, whom she’d taken care of—by herself—his entire life. She should probably be happy that he’d found someone he trusted enough to teach him to ride.
But it should have been her.
She brushed the hair back from the lad’s forehead. “Are ye sure?”
“Aye, the lad is sure, mistress. ’Tis no need to continue to question him.” He clapped his hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “Shall we be off, lad?”
Obviously dismissing her, Evan began to instruct Gavin on how to mount a horse. She opened her mouth to suggest he use the mounting block when Evan turned in her direction. “I believe ye have more arrivals.” He nodded to the front of the castle where another group of weary travelers trudged up the pathway.
“Aye.” She hurried away, angry with herself for the tears that flooded her eyes at the idea of someone besides her teaching Gavin something. She swiped at her cheeks, and just as she arrived at the front door, she remembered she hadn’t talked to him about Gavin’s sleeping arrangements.
“Blasted man,” she murmured as she reached the crowd at the door. “Welcome. I’m glad ye made it safe and sound.” As she led the group into the castle, she turned to see Gavin and Evan slowly walking their horses from the stables. Gavin looked a bit nervous, but Evan chatted away, most likely in an attempt to calm the boy. ’Twas apparent that Evan worked quite well with Gavin.
…
Evan kept up a stream of conversation with Gavin, offering instructions and encouragement. The lad went from absolutely terrified to mildly anxious as they moved the horses forward. He was a smart lad, and even though he held himself
