Caitlin looked up at him, her eyes wide and full of questions. He could see the confusion in them and knew that she was struggling to make sense of everything that had happened.
“It’s all right,” he said softly, running a hand along her hair. “Ye dinna have to understand it all right now. Just know that ye’re safe with me and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep ye that way.”
His thoughts began to wander to places that they shouldn’t. Desire stirred again. She was beautiful and brave and—
She pulled away abruptly, wiping at her eyes. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have panicked like that.”
He didn’t want to let her go. “Dinna be sorry. If I was in yer shoes, I’d likely be bawling like a bairn.”
Her brows rose. “I find that hard to believe. You don’t seem afraid of anything.”
“Oh, I am, lass, believe me. I’m frightened of many things.”
“Like what?”
Unbidden, an image flashed into his head, a woman’s face wreathed in silky black hair, and with it came the usual twist to his gut, the punch of pain and fear and anguish. He pushed it away ruthlessly and pulled his cocky smile onto his face like a mask.
“Conall’s poetry for one.”
Caitlin laughed softly and the sound of it lifted Kai’s heart. He wanted to reach out and pull her close again, but that moment had passed. Instead, he tilted her chin so she was looking up at him.
“Ye asked about Irene MacAskill and the Fae. I have a brother, Rory, who is familiar with them both. As soon as my mission is complete, I shall take ye to him and he can answer all yer questions and find a way to get ye home.” He paused and smiled down at her.”Do ye think ye can stick with us for a few more days?”
Kai saw the look of relief wash over Caitlin’s face and her eyes sparkled with hope.”Your brother?”
“Aye. And his wife. She’s from yer time as well. Ye aren’t the only time-traveler I’ve ever met, Caitlin. So ye see, ye aren’t alone.”
Caitlin studied him and he couldn’t quite read the look in her eye. Relief, certainly. But something else as well.
“Thank you, Kai,” she said at last. “I don’t understand any of this. All I want is to go home.”
Kai gave her a gentle smile. “Then ye shall, lass. We’ll make sure of it.”
For a moment, they stood there in silence, looking at each other. Kai felt his desire for Caitlin growing stronger, heat clenching his stomach and flashing into his groin—
He cleared his throat and stepped back. “That’s settled then. We need to start by making sure nobody else discovers yer origins. Ye saw what Alfred’s reaction was. If anyone discovers ye are a time-traveler ye can expect more of the same.” He ran a critical eye over her figure-hugging andveryun-highlander-like attire. It might accentuate her curves in all the right places but it was also highly inappropriate if she wanted to blend in. “We’ll start by finding ye some suitable clothing.”
It was the excuse he needed to leave. If he stayed here there was no telling what he might do. He strode to the door.
“I willnae be long,” he called over his shoulder. “Try to get some rest.”
Without waiting for her reply, he hurried out, wondering exactly what Irene MacAskill had gotten him into.
