Page 38 of When a Highlander Vows
He was tempted to let his grandmother take Caitlin up to bed. But after they reached the first step, he called out to them, the decision made before he had enough time to catch up with it.
“Caitlin, I wonder if ye would walk with me a little,” he said hurriedly, unable to think of anything else.
“Aye, of course,” she said, hesitantly at first, but then she turned fully around, and Nan beamed at him as if he was the sun, moon, and stars.
He resisted the strong temptation to roll his eyes and scowl.
“Good night to ye all,” she said, waving, winking at him before she ascended the steps.
“Where would ye like to go?” Caitlin asked softly.
“The gardens again, if ye wouldnae mind. And I think this time, we willnae be locked in.”
He did not offer his arm this time, afraid that her touch would only spur on the lust and then he wouldn’t be able to think straight. What was he doing? Was this foolish or was it wise? He couldn’t tell anymore. He used to be able to trust so fully in his opinion. But now, ever since the day Caitlin set foot into his Castle and into his world, his mind had become muddled.
“Follow me,” he said, pausing only once at his study to grab a bottle of whisky and join her again.
“Is there a reason ye drink whisky there but nae at dinner?” she asked innocently, and he shrugged.
“I find whisky is best to drink when there is a bit of melancholy about one. It helps ye to think, refines yer thoughts a bit once they have become mixed up in yer head.”
“Och,” she said, her expression showing that she understood perfectly well what he meant.
He led her through the winding corridors until they reached the door that led to the gardens. It was strange. Usually, he always sought out the gardens, the secret alcoves, nearly every day in order to spend time with his own thoughts. But he found of late, that there was far too much to do, far too much going on, and of greater interest than the secrecy and safety of isolation.
“Ye can go in first,” he said, opening the door and stepping aside.
As she walked by, he closed his eyes, getting another whiff of the rosewater she so loved to use.
Keep yer head on, Lad.
He shut the door behind him, and when she turned, he held up his hands.
“Nae locked,” he said with a sort of half smile or what he would call a smile.
“I dinnae think it was,” she replied, her eyes lingering on his before she turned to face the dark garden. “I can see why ye like this place. I have come now a time or two, with Colin in tow.”
“Good Lord, then ye wouldnae have had any peace,” he said, making Caitlin laugh.
Just like it had before, the laughter broke up something hard inside him, spreading the pieces and tossing them away. He stood taller, not knowing what that really meant.
“True, but I dae enjoy the kinship. I was alone for a long while, even with me companions. I wanted more than just one person about me.”
He nodded, walking alongside her as they made their way down the narrow path. A few times their arms brushed, and even though it was a simple touch, it only creating fresh longing inside him.
The kiss had been a mistake. Forget it.
And at dinner, they’d come to a sort of teasing comfortability, which he liked. It was new territory for him, but it was also better than stark coldness or dislike, not that he’d ever, even for one moment, disliked her.
“Let’s sit,” he said, stopping at one of the wooden benches carved for the very purpose of reposing in the castle gardens.
When they sat down, he uncorked his bottle of whisky and passed it to her.
Hesitantly, she took it, but after her first sip, she smiled. “Lovely.”
For whatever reason, the fact that she had taken her whisky so boldly without a hint of sputtering or regret, made his desire for her all the more. His head was already fuzzy with alcohol, and he knew how simple it would be to just lean in, but he bit the inside of his cheek and leaned back.
Touching the bottle to his own lips, he also tried not to think about the intimacy of sharing. “I think so. I have already enjoyed a bit this evenin’.”
