Page 37 of The Highlander Steals a Virgin
“Sheis awoman,” William said plainly, mouth twitching.
“She’s nae just any woman. She’s a Murdoch. A liability.”
“Well, then why did ye bring her along? Ye are acting like ye made a pass at her and she jilted ye.”
Rhys turned on him, eyes blazing.
The two men stared at each other for a moment too long until finally Rhys looked away.
“We kissed yesterday before the dinner.”
William didn’t answer.
“It was a mistake. Daisy almost saw,” he muttered.
Rhys let his head fall back against the stone mantle, closing his eyes. The scent of her still haunted his memory. Her mouth tasted like hope… and ruin.
“She makes me forget,” he said quietly.
“Forget what?”
“The cost,” he said, opening his eyes again.Of rage. Of vengeance. Of duty. Of everything.I’m useless, even when she’s nae around me.
“That seems to bother ye more than I reckon it should, Rhys.”
“She smiles at me daughter like she’s been here her whole life. She’s soft when she should be guarded. And she takes to this place like the ground is hers.”
“Sounds like she’s made herself at home…”
Rhys’s jaw clenched.
He pushed off the hearth and strode back toward the table. The map of Murdoch lands staring up at him wide and waiting. The blood of his kin screamed for justice. His cousin still lost behind those walls. The men who slaughtered Daisy’s mother still clinging to their righteous breaths.
He had no time for distractions.
No space for longing.
And yet he could still feel the warmth of her waist against his arm. The flight tremble in her fingers when she’d clutched onto him. The way her body molded into his.
“She needs boundaries,” he said aloud, as if saying it made it true. “Structure. Clear limits.”
William gave a grunt. “She’s nae a soldier.”
“She’s inmekeep. That makes hermeresponsibility.”
William walked to the window and leaned against the frame, assessing the now empty courtyard and smiling. “Ye could always justaskwhat she needs. She’s got a mind of her own, and nay home to return to. Shemightjust surprise ye yet.”
Rhys shot him a look. “I daenae need any more surprises.”
William let out a tension-cracking laugh. “Oh sure, and kissin’ her certainly helped build up all thoseboundariesandlimits, then?”
He rubbed at his temple instead, weariness digging in deeper than any blade ever had. He couldn’t think like this. Couldn’t plan while she danced around the edges of every though.How did it get so out of control?
He needed clarity.
He needed control.
He needed — “Daisytoohas a mind of her own. Perhaps this is one thing ye cannae control, Rhys. She likes her.”
