Page 45 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
“Good,” he uttered, though he was already hating the distance she was putting between them.
She cleared her throat. “Then I guess I’ll take me leave, Laird MacReid.”
And with a small bow, she marched to the door.
But before she left the room, Kenneth called, “Do ye regret what we did?”
“Nay.” Her answer was immediate. She was facing away from him, but he could imagine the look on her face. “I only regret that we did it on such terms.”
“What terms?” Kenneth asked.
But she gave him only a small smile, slightly enigmatic and wistful.
And then she was gone, leaving only the scent of her skin and the memory of lips that would haunt him until he could taste them again.
It makes nay sense that I am so attracted to him. I’m his captive, and even if I werenae, I’ll be leavin’ soon. There can be nothing between us.
“Leana. Leana, are ye listenin’ to me?”
Beside her, Valerie caught her eye and pinched her cheek, making her yelp.
“I’m sorry, what?” Leana turned to her.
“I told ye, the milk is already boilin’… Watch out, it’s goin’ to spill!”
Quickly, Leana grabbed the pot of milk and pulled it away from the flames, while Valerie jumped up and down.
Fortunately, the milk did not spill over, and soon the foam began to subside. Meanwhile, one of the cooks brought them all the utensils and supplies Leana had requested.
The healer liked to make the medicines she used on her patients herself. Most of the time, it was necessary to cook things in a very precise way to get the best results. That was why she had insisted on preparing Hunter’s remedies herself, and that was why Valerie, who was as curious as a cat, had accompanied her.
“Ye certainly daenae have yer head on yer shoulders today,” Valerie noted affectionately.
Leana nodded. “It’s true. I’ve been distracted all day.”
“Aye…” A hint of amusement flickered in Valerie’s eyes. “Is it because of me cousin? Is he the one ye pine for all the time?”
“Are ye still at it?” Leana chuckled, pretending her mind wasn’t on Kenneth.
Nothing could be further from the truth, of course, because it washimshe was pining for. He was the reason she couldn’t do two things right that afternoon.
“I’m sorry to disappoint ye, but nothing is going on between me and yer cousin…”
“Yet.” Valerie’s lips curled into a broad smile. “He’s obviously interested in ye.”
“Oh, really?” The speed with which Leana answered, coupled with the way she looked at Valerie, made the latter burst out laughing.
“And you are obviously attracted to him!” Valerie gushed, looking at her mischievously. “The only reason ye two arenae together is that ye’re too stubborn to admit that ye have feelings for each other!”
“We daenae have feelings for anyone,” Leana insisted, a little confused and annoyed at her reaction.
Ye need to get a grip on yerself, Leana. Ye’re nae goin’ to convince anyone that nothing is goin’ on between ye and Kenneth if ye daenae first remember that there cannae be anything between ye two!
But the truth was that the memory of their last encounter still haunted her. And though she wished she could, she couldn’t just forget the taste of his mouth or the pleasant pressure of his hands as they ran over her hips.
She could not concentrate on what she was doing, no matter how hard she tried. She paid special attention to the preparation of the remedies, but her body had memorized the measurements and recipes, and her mind used the time to wander.
And this wandering was driving her crazy.
