Page 67 of Pride: The Rogue
“Of course,” Lachlan said, all proper solemnity.
Moira made her goodbyes to Lachlan and Livian and took off running.
With the girl gone, and Lachlan partnered with his mount, and bags, there was no reason left for him to stay.
At least, we’ll have a proper goodbye.
She’d thought it’d be best to leave while he slept, but promptly discovered their meeting hadn’t felt complete. They’d needed these last moments.
At least, Livian, had, anyway.
They spoke at the same time.
“I—”
“I—”
Lachlan inclined his head. “You first, darlin.”
Darlin’.
I’ll miss that tender endearment that he never even really meant as an endearment.
“I…” She took a breath and held her hand out. “I wish you godspeed and safe travels for the rest of your journey.”
“And I you, Livian.” Lachlan moved an inscrutable gaze across her face. “Just don’t go…stealing any other fellow’s rooms.”
They shared one last smile.
Lachlan hesitated; he stared at her palm a moment. Then, he took her hand in his dwarfing her fingers with his longer, more powerful ones.
She took in a slow, inaudible, breath.
Even with his leather riding glove acting as a barrier between them, an electric charge passed at the place where they touched. Her entire hand radiated with heat that traversed along the length of her entire arm.
Then, all too quickly, he removed his hand from hers. All that delicious heat vanished, leaving in its place an empty coldness.
“I should be going,” Lachlan said.
Still, he didn’t make any attempt to go.
“Yes,” she murmured. “As should I.”
Several creases popped up on his noble brow.
She’d inadvertently roused questions in the all-too-perceptive gentleman. Livian silently cursed.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said swiftly, taking a step away. “I must fetch my things. Mr. Dryver will be wondering where I am.”
“Of course.”
Lachlan’s tone revealed nothing.
Although she yearned to stay here and prolong this moment with him, to do so would only invite further inquiries, ones that would likely lead to questions about Mr. Dryver and Livian’s carriage and if he discovered she was, in fact, stranded here still, knowing him but a short while, he’d feel compelled to stay. And she didn’t want that.
He had business to see to and she had a future husband to face.
It was best for the both of them if it ended here, just like this.
