Page 69 of Desiring the Highland Laird
He had a difficult time not thinking about kissing her, even though the kiss had been nothing more than the brush of his lips against hers. He couldn’t forget the way her pulse had thrummed in her neck or the way she had shivered against him when he had done it.
He still did not know why he had done it. But the impulse had been too great to resist.
It did not satisfy his needy curiosity, either. It served to make him want to kiss her more.
He decided to look for her and offer to take her out for another riding lesson. Mayhap that would keep his mind off the lump of grief in the middle of his chest. When she wasn’t in her bedchamber, he found her helping Roslyn in the kitchen. He was surprised to see Roslyn showing the lass how to knead bread and stood in the doorway a moment to observe.
“Aye, like that, lassie. Ye got it!” Roslyn said.
Evie giggled and smiled brightly as she pushed her hands through the dough. For the first time, he noticed the faint dimple in each cheek. She blew a piece of wayward hair that had come loose from her braid as it dangled in front of her face. He clenched his hands into fists, squelching the sudden urge to rush over to her and tuck it behind her perfect round ear.
“Och, Callum! I dinnae see ye there.”
Roslyn’s voice shook him from his staring. He straightened and cleared his throat, pulling his gaze away from Evie as he stepped into the kitchen. Evie’s head snapped up, her eyes wide and round in surprise.
“Goodness me, I’ve forgotten to gather the eggs this morning,” the woman exclaimed.
“I’ll help you, Roslyn.”
Evie handed the dough off to the woman and then reached for a towel to wipe her hands clean. Her gaze flickered over to him and she gave him a shy smile. It made his stomach drop to the soles of his boots and a tingling sensation prickle over every inch of his exposed skin.
“I was looking for Evie,” he said, finally finding his voice. Much to his dismay, it was rough and ragged. He swallowed hard.
Evie’s eyes widened again as she looked at him. Those big, brown eyes were so bright and deep he could get lost in them.
“You were?”
“Aye. To see if ye’d be interested in a riding lesson today.”
“Oh.” The word shuddered out of her on a breath.
Roslyn had a knowing glint in her eye as she busied herself in the kitchen gathering the morning meal to take to the great hall.
“After ye finish here in the kitchen, that is,” he added.
“Go on, lass,” Roslyn put in. “I dinnae need any more help this morn.” She winked as she said it.
Evie flushed. Her lashes fluttered as she nodded, turning back to Callum. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll make ready the horses.”
He turned from the kitchen and fled, his stomach in a tight knot. He chastised himself for that reaction. He had seen bonnie lasses before. But none of them had caused such an uproar of emotions as Evie. He decided he had to calm himself to get through this riding lesson and not act a fool.
At the stable, he ordered his war horse and her mare to be saddled and ready to go. The stable hand was quick and able to get the horses ready by the time Evie exited the keep. She clutched her cloak tight around her small frame, the wind whipping it around her ankles. Sprigs of her fiery red hair came loose from her braid. She tucked a tendril behind her ear. The same one he itched to do.
Her face exploded in a wide grin as she approached, seeing the small gray mare next to him. When she reached the horse, she patted her nose. The mare nuzzled her, looking for a treat.
“She’s a sweet horse, isn’t she?” Evie asked.
“Aye, she is.”
She brushed her neck in a tender, reverent way. “I used to be scared of horses.”
“But no the now?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No. Not anymore.” She leaned over to eye his large war horse. “Though I have to say your horse is a bit intimidating.”
As if in response, his horse stomped a hoof. She laughed, the sound lovely and sweet to his ears.
