Page 55 of When a Highlander Vows
They spoke of the village, and of her time in her own village far away, and Caitlin grew more and more comfortable as time passed. Even if Bram was shameless in his flirtations and attentions, he was kind and thoughtful. He asked questions, and he made her feel wanted.
Lucas only runs away after we’re together. Runs away and hides as if I am somethin’ he is afraid of. At least Bram comes to face it head on. Bold and unafraid.
It is because he doesnae ken about yer eyesight,her mind answered her.
Resentment toward Lucas only grew as Bram walked her to the castle entrance. Lucas had just left, run off, after giving her such great pleasure. For all his fearsomeness, he was acting like a coward. Or just as beastly as she’d thought he was from the beginning.
“Thank ye for comin’, Bram. It was kind of ye to bring the bread. I ken we will love it.”
Bram let go of her arm, but he picked up her hand instead and brought it to his lips.
In a low voice meant only for her ears while the guards stood nearby, he said, “I only care if ye love it, Lass.”
She blushed furiously, feeling the heat in her cheeks, and she gave him a shaky smile.
“I’m sure I will.”
“Then I bid ye good day. Will ye let me come again tomorrow?” He put on his cap, and his eyes were eager as he looked at her.
“Aye, of course. That would be nice.”
It would be nice to collect friends and to make new acquaintances during her time at the castle, if she could. And making friends with those who lived in the village was even better, making it easier for her to visit the village often.
He doffed his cap and bowed his head. “Then tomorrow it is, Caitlin. Until then.”
“Aye, until then.” She folded her hands in front of her and watched him walk away.
His shoulders were straight and tall, almost in a smug fashion, but she admired confidence since she had little of her own.
Thinking of confidence only served to remind her of how Lucas had boldly showed her just what pleasure could be wrought from her body through his expert,confidenttouches and kisses.
Letting out a breath, she was confused as to how she felt about Bram coming back tomorrow. She liked him, or so she thought. He was very handsome, charming, and they seemed to get on well enough. But there was only one thing that bothered her.
He was not Lucas.
28
That morning, Lucas had had to settle yet another dispute with the men before things were set fully to rights. After, as if fate was fully against him another hard storm had rolled in, so he and Archie had had to stay one more night, grumbling as they were, in order to set off early the next morning.
He’d hardly slept a wink the night before, thinking of what Archie had said, about giving himself a chance. But as soon as morning hit, he knew he couldn’t risk it. Even if perhaps he did not have the same evil blood as his father, he didn’t want to take the chance in hurting Caitlin like his father had hurt his mother, and how both his parents had hurt him.
“We’ll ride hard, Archie. I want to put this bloody place behind me,” he grumbled before setting Searbas into a rapid pace.
A few hours later, Lucas was starved and sweaty, and the sun was hotter than usual. “I will take meself to the sea, Lad,” he said to Archie once they’d slowed.
Archie nodded, and Lucas raced off toward the line of gray calling to him from afar. He thundered along and only stopped when he reached the shore.
Jumping down from Searbas’ back, he began to tear at his clothes, sweat and dirt covered as they were, until he was bare. He stalked into the sea and dove under the first wave which threatened to crash over him. The coolness of the seawater soothed his aching muscles as well as his aching heart.
When he was out far enough, he treaded water, staring out into the distance, listening only to the sounds of the sea as it ebbed and flowed. It was just what he’d needed after a long frustrating ride as well as a frustrating experience with the men at the border. He would have to send a message to Laird MacGregor to make sure the man knew he was not to be pushed around in this way. He had much better ways to use his time.
Such as kissin’ Caitlin, nay? And more?
To push aside that thought, he ducked under the water again. A few minutes later, he walked up on shore, feeling a bit better and ready to face his Nan and Caitlin in the castle again. In fact, he was looking forward to it.
He was just picking up his clothes when he spotted Caitlin, Paige, and two young men walking along the shoreline. Quickly,he dressed in his kilt and boots, hidden behind Searbas, but he didn’t have time to put on the rest of his clothes before the foursome walked right by him.
“Lucas!” Paige cried with a big smile. “Yer home.”
