Page 21 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
But it was the pain that seeped out of him that caused Emma to turn around and face him.
She found him with his back to her. Licking her dry lips, she found herself gravitating towards him and wishing there was a way to ease the pain she felt radiating off him.
“I only ask to know what happened to ease me troubling thoughts,” Emma said, carefully placing her hand on his arm.
Touching him made him real, and not so much a phantom of nightmares, but one of flesh and blood. Hunter recoiled from her touch, and the anger that flickered in his eyes shifted.
“If ye didnae hurt me braither, then why did ye leave yer family?” she continued, finding herself desperate to know the truth. No matter how fragile it might be.
“It wasnae by choice,” Hunter said through clenched teeth as he turned to face her.
The rage boiling within him shifted as his gaze met hers. Emma found herself on the precipice of the unknown. She’d never encountered a man like Hunter before, had never seen such insecurity and strength in the eyes of a man before. Her heart went out to him, despite the warnings in her head.
“But I swear,” he mumbled, his voice softening. “I never touched yer braither.”
Inching closer, as if they were magnets drawn to each other without reason or cause, Emma found herself rooted to the spot, unable to turn or step away from him. For a moment, they shared the same musky air that swirled and mingled into an intoxicating concoction that drew out all her senses like poison from a wound.
Emma nodded her head. “I believe ye.”
Arching his eyebrow, Hunter towered over her. His gaze seemed to penetrate the darkest recesses of her soul. Emma couldn’t deny the attraction she was feeling as a small voice deep within her screamed for her to run. Yet, she remained rooted to the floor of the terrace. The longer she stared at him, the more mysteries shrouded him like shadows.
“Do ye now? And why is that?”
There was scrutiny in his tone, making her wonder just what he thought of her. Was he proposing merely to retain his rightful place as Laird? Or was there something more that he desired? Heat coursed through her as she fought the urge to touch him again.
“Do ye have a reason to lie to me? After all, ye could just as easily use yer position as Laird and force me to marry ye,” Emma said as she watched Hunter’s eyes and lips twitch. “Instead, ye asked.”
“So, does this mean ye’re agreein’ to have me as yer husband?” Hunter asked.
“I have conditions,” Emma stated, trying to keep her wits about her as she studied him.
A smirk replaced his stern expression. There was a hint of amusement that flickered in his eyes.
“Of course, ye would,” he said as Emma watched his breath in the air between them.
She stepped back, hoping the space would allow the breeze to clear the fogginess invading her head. It didn’t help, though. It was his gaze that held her captive.
“Out wit’ it, then.”
“I’ll accept yer offer, as long as ye take care of me sisters as well,” Emma answered boldly.
She didn’t see any reason why her condition would be met with resistance, yet Hunter’s gaze gave her no clue as to what he thought about it. He lifted his chin and folded his arms over his chest as he mulled over her words.
“What exactly does that mean for ye?” he asked.
“They are to be kept under yer protection for as long as they want to be here. They’ll stay in the castle wit’ me, unless they choose to marry. And in which case, ye’ll have no say over who they are to marry.”
“That’s askin’ quite a lot. Me resources are already strained, and adding more mouths to feed would be a burden,” Hunter said, tilting his head. “But I suppose we could manage, as long as yer sisters contribute to the clan. I’m already aware one of yer sisters is a healer. Do any others have skills that I could use?”
“Isobel is a fine hunter and skilled with a blade,” Emma said as doubt started creeping on her.
With Hunter’s expression so hard to read, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was having second thoughts about marrying her.
“Ha, a woman soldier, unheard of. But her talents might work best in the kitchen,” Hunter said.
“She could field dress yer men’s game,” Emma said. “And ye might even find her better than some of yer men out in the field.”
“Doubt it,” Hunter huffed. “A woman’s place is within the walls, nae outside them.”
