She could only stare at him, his words causing a whirl of emotions to course through her. It was likely the most he had ever said—to her, or to anyone, as far as she knew—at one time. His soliloquy had also imparted a great deal of information. As self-assured as he always seemed to be, it seemed he actually did not think much of himself or his abilities. It was a vulnerable side he had kept carefully hidden in the past, never allowing to emerge. Her anger, though still burning below the surface, somewhat dissipated by his admission.
“Finlay,” she said carefully, stepping closer to him. “Callum would never have stayed overseas had he not thought you completely capable of running everything here. You have always loved this place, and have taken total responsibility for it. Do you not remember when you were a boy, the rest of us would be chasing one another around the hills while you were already so dedicated to your work on the farm and the land? Ye’ve done more for your family and your people than Callum ever has.”
When he looked down at her, she got lost for a moment in his dark, intense gaze. Emotion churned within his eyes and Kyla could sense that her words had been what he needed to hear, having apparently cut through his anger and taking root.
“Thank you,” he said gruffly, clearing his throat and swinging his head away from her. “’Tis a nice thing for you to say. And I am sorry for insulting yer family. Had you said the same of mine well… I may not have been quite as forgiving.”
“I only speak the truth, as you say you do,” she said, her words quiet but firm. “However, if ye ever insult my father and brother again, I shall have to fight you for the honor of my family.”
“Fight me?”
“Aye.”
“I dare say I could win any physical contest with you.”
Her cheeks warmed at his words. “I have learned a thing or two over the years,” she said flippantly.
“Really?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Truly.”
“I don’t believe you could ever fight me, Kyla.”
“I’ll prove it to you. Come here.”
“Kyla, I’m not—”
“Fine. I’ll come to you.”
She stepped in front of him, facing him, and then lifted his arms and placed his hands on her waist, causing a muscle in his cheek to jump. Belatedly, Kyla realized that this was a rather foolish idea, but she wasn’t going to admit it and back away now. She tried to ignore the heat rising to her face from his closeness.
“Grip me tight,” she said, and as he did so, she took him off guard, flipping her arms underneath his, jerking them around and back to break his hold.
“You see?” she said to him with a smile. “Now, from the back.”
She turned around and he slid his arms around her body, crossing them in front of her.
“Like this?”
“Umm, I suppose.” She stood for a beat, reveling in his warmth and the strong planes of his chest that lined the back of her body. She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment before she told herself not to get too comfortable. She took a breath before stepping down on his big toe with all of her might, turning, planting a kick to his shin, and taking a step away. He gave a shout, whether in surprise or pain she wasn’t sure.
“Who the devil taught you all of this?” he asked, a wince remaining on his face.
“Gracin,” she responded, walking back toward him. “He was the stable boy. I spent quite a bit of time out there with him while caring for Cadarn. He was happy to teach me.”
“I’m sure he was,” said Finlay, gruffly.
As she returned to him, he stretched out an arm, grabbing her by the wrist.
“Kyla, come here,” he said, slowly pulling her toward him.
She resisted at first, but then met his gaze and the intensity of his eyes drew her to him until they were but a breath away from one another.
His lips met hers, not hard and passionate like the first time they had kissed, but this time soft and inviting. As he kissed her, his hands roamed over her back and tugged her closer to him, her body seeming to perfectly meld with his as she sank into him. He was so contrary, so hard and unrelenting, that Kyla knew she should push away and not allow herself to give in with any emotion… but she wasn’t strong enough to resist him.
He kissed her deeper, his tongue teasing at her lips before entering her mouth and slowly beginning to explore. It was a long, languishing kiss, one which promised more to come. When Finlay finally pulled away, he smiled at her, one of the first true smiles she had ever seen from him.
With that, he stood, turned, and left the room, leaving her there alone with desire simmering deep in her belly. She was, at first, annoyed that he would simply leave after such a kiss, but then she realized that he was leaving the invitation open to her to come closer.
It wasn’t until some time later, when Kyla was still staring out the door after Finlay as she tried to assess how she felt for him, that she realized he had never acknowledged or accepted any of her thoughts or suggestions, which was the entire reason she had asked him to come with her to the library.
The turbulent storm of her emotions through their encounter had completely turned her brain to mud, and for that she threw her hands in the air, completely disgusted with herself.
She’d like to damn Finlay McDougall for what he did to her.
But the truth was, she had only herself to blame.
11
Kyla had appreciated the view out the window of her bedroom since she arrived at Galbury Castle. While the north-facing rooms looked out onto the green hillsides, her window faced south, down the rolling hill to Loch Ness below. It
