Page 7 of Tempting the Highland Devil
Thunder rumbled in the skies above them when Duncan patted Arran’s shoulder then walked away from him. Was his friend testing him? Yvaine was trouble, and he had a feeling he would not be able to escape her anymore.
The violent clap roaring through the skies was enough sign from the heavens.
It is only for a few weeks,he told himself to settle the roar of his pulse. Once Yvaine found the perfect husband, he would stay away from her for both their sakes.
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Why would he even suggest something like that?
Yvaine stood by the cliff till she felt the first droplets of rain kiss her skin. She shivered, wiped it off her cheek with one hand, then turned and headed for her horse to return to the castle.
Over the years, she had heard all sort of rumors regarding Arran’s flirty nature, and no one could deny how popular he was among the ladies.
Even after her brother married, she had watched to see if Arran would ever decide to take a wife for himself, but not once had it ever come up.
Yvaine did not know what hurt more—his oblivion to the way he made her feel or his blatant refusal to marry her or anyone else. She nursed her hurt pride on the entire ride back to the castle and tried to keep her mind from racing with thoughts about Arran.
By the time she arrived the keep, the rain fell heavily outside, and her clothes were drenched from it. She ignored the droplets of water sliding down her skin as she marched for her brother’s study, hoping to find him there.
Yvaine paused at the entrance when she heard voices talking inside. Her heart pounded hard when she realized it was Arran and Duncan speaking.
Not wanting to hear what they had to say, Yvaine pushed the study door open and walked in with her chin held high.
“Yvaine,” both men chorused as she stared at both of them. Her eyes lingered on Arran’s for longer than a moment, and she felt the renewed flush of heat she had felt earlier when he had touched her cheek.
The tender moment had melted Yvaine’s heart. Each time he looked at her, she felt the tenderness in his gaze sweeping through all her defenses and making her forget all the reasons why she ought not to feel a thing for him.
Each of the rare times he touched her, she trembled because his skin felt warm, and hers tingled with arousal.
Yvaine did not know what it felt like to desire a man.
So how could I feel this for someone that doesn’t even want me?
She cleared her throat and hardened her chin to show her determination. “I have made me decision,” she said the words to Arran even as she forced her eyes to remain on her brother’s.
“This is me life, Duncan, and I will not let ye control it. If ye speak of marryin’ again, I shall run away, and ye shall never see me again.”
She said the threats meaning every word. Yvaine did not need to look at Arran to know that he was not pleased with her decision, but why would she care?
He would not marry her anyway, so why did she need to leave her gate open for him?
“Yvaine,” Duncan began.
“Please braither, I mean it when I say I will disappear. Dinnae make me do this,” she pleaded then spun around and rushed out of his study.
Yvaine made it up the stairs before she heard footsteps approaching her from behind. Arran grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him with speed that made her feel dizzy.
“What do ye think ye are doin’?”
“Let go of me,” she replied and pulled her arm out of his grip only to lose her balance and nearly fall backwards. Arran saved her again, but this time, he did not seem pleased by it.
“I told ye I would help ye get rid of all the men who would compete for yer hand. Why would ye threaten to run away still?”
“It is nay yer business what I want to do, so just leave me alone.”
She stormed away from him again, and he followed after her, barging into her room before she could slam the door in his face.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a panicked voice when he stalked softly towards her and backed her into a corner of her room.
