Page 73 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
“It just was never a priority for me, nor for me faither. With Duncan and Murdoch settled, me youngest braither Fergus and I were just free to be whatever we wished.”
“What did ye wish to do?”
Her question gave him pause. “I was in charge of the guard with Calvin.”
“I see.”
“And when the dust settled, it was all I kenned. Lily was there at every turn—a reminder of just how inadequate I was for her.”
“Children dinnae ken that. She loves ye, Hunter. More than anythin’.”
Hunter looked back at her, his gray eyes meeting hers with an almost unnerving intensity. “Will ye keep helpin’ me? With her, I mean. I dinnae ken how to fix what I’ve broken.”
Erica’s smile returned, though there was a hint of mischief in it now. “Of course, I’ll help ye,” she agreed. She curled her fingers in the skirts of her gown and raised an eyebrow at him. “On one condition.”
His brow furrowed. “Condition?”
Her grin widened, and she stepped back slightly, hiking up her skirts. “Only if ye catch me.”
Before her words registered, she took off running, her laughter ringing out like music on the cool night air.
Hunter stood there for a moment, stunned, before shaking his head with a low chuckle. “Ye have lost yer mind, woman.”
But despite his protests, he couldn’t help but follow her. She darted through the garden paths, her skirts billowing behind her as she ran, her wild hair dancing in the wind. The fading light caught her figure, illuminating her in a way that made his breath hitch. She looked like something out of a dream—wild, untamed, and entirely too captivating.
Hunter quickened his pace, though he didn’t close the distance between them. He let her keep the lead, relishing the way her laughter carried through the air, the way she glanced over her shoulder with a teasing glint in her eyes.
“Ye are goin’ to regret this,” he called after her, his voice rough but laced with amusement.
“Only if ye catch me!” she shot back, her voice full of challenge.
Hunter’s heart pounded—not just from the chase, but from the way she made him feel. It wasn’t just the exhilaration of the moment; it was the way she brought life back into his world, the way she reminded him of what it meant to truly feel.
Finally, he surged forward, his longer strides closing the gap between them.
Erica let out a surprised yelp as he caught her by the waist and spun her around, before setting her back down on her feet. She was breathless, her cheeks flushed, and her green eyes sparkled with laughter.
“Caught ye,” Hunter said, his voice low, almost a growl.
She laughed, leaning back slightly to look up at him. “That’s nae fair. Yer legs are too long.”
Hunter smirked, his hands still resting lightly on her waist. “Ye set the rules, lass. Dinnae complain when I play by themandwin.”
Her laughter faded slightly, though the smile remained on her lips.
Their gazes locked, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The air between them grew heavier, charged with something unspoken. Hunter’s grip on her waist tightened slightly, his pulse quickening as he took in the way her chest rose and fell with each breath, the way her lips parted slightly as if she were about to speak.
But she didn’t say anything, and neither did he. The only sound was the faint rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of crickets.
Hunter swallowed hard, his voice gruff when he finally broke the silence. “Thank ye… for everythin’. For yer help with Lily. For this.”
Erica’s smile softened, and she reached up, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. The touch was brief, but it sent a shiver down his spine. “Ye are welcome, husband,” she murmured.
For a moment, Hunter considered leaning in and closing the small distance between them. But she stepped back, breaking the spell. Her smile turned playful again, and she nodded her head toward the path leading back to the castle.
“Come on, now,” she said, her voice light. “We’ve had enough excitement for one night.”
Hunter nodded, following her again. But his mind wasreeling.
