“It’s my turn not to understand.”
“You said she manipulated you into coddling her. It sounded like she was clingy and needy to get you to do her bidding. That wasn’t my intent.”
Dominic tucked Emelie against his chest and pulled the kertch from her hair for a second time. He stroked the white-blonde locks that hung to her waist. “Em, that’s not what I thought. The idea never crossed my mind. There have been plenty of chances for you to wheedle me into doing your bidding, and you never have. I think you’re extremely uncomfortable admitting that you might need me. You are not she. I wouldn’t let Brodie make that comparison, and I won’t let you either. Naught aboot you reminds me of her. She is part of my past, not my present or my future.”
“But you loved her.”
“Em, I loved who I thought she was. I loved being needed. It made me feel like even more of a mon than any battle. I loved the marriage I thought I had. But none of it was real. I loved a woman who didn’t exist. That is what upsets me. Anger, regret, and remorse, not grief. If she were alive, I never would have met you. She would never have allowed me to be away so long, so I likely wouldn’t have been at court. If she were alive, I never could have offered you my protection or my name. If she were alive, I wouldn’t be holding you right now. And there is nowhere else I want to be right now than with you.”
Emelie sighed and breathed easier. The conviction in Dominic’s voice soothed her just as much as his hand running over her back did. “Will you stay with me tonight? I don’t want you sleeping on the floor somewhere.”
“Aye. I’d like that, Em.”
“If you didn’t use your auld chamber, where did you sleep after—everything?”
“The barracks when I wasn’t on patrol. I volunteered to be away from the keep every chance I got.”
“Is it painful to be back here then? Do you wish you can leave again? I’ll be fine.”
“I don’t want to go anywhere anymore, Em. This is my home, and I won’t let ghosts chase me away anymore. There is too much here to appreciate. And I will not abandon you among strangers. I know you know Laurel, but that’s not enough.”
“I don’t want you to fear leaving me behind. I won’t keep you from your responsibilities.”
“I know you won’t,mo sparradh beag.”
“Why did you call me a sparrow again? Why do I remind men of birds?”
Dominic chuckled. “Calling a woman dove is rather—common.” Dominic grimaced admitting that since he’d attempted to call Emelie that. “But you remind me of a sparrow. They are small and appear fragile, but they are hardy. They survive even in the harshest climes in the Highlands. And I think they’re pretty.”
“They’re brown.”
Dominic chuckled again. “True. But I like the way they look.” He shrugged. “You’re pretty and small, too.”
“Thank you,” Emelie replied ruefully. Dominic tickled her side, and she giggled. The sound shot straight to Dominic’s groin, and his cock responded of its own volition. He stooped to kiss her neck and cheek, wanting to devour her as his rod twitched. “I’m also short.”
Dominic nodded as he continued to kiss her neck, but he had to admit the position was awkward. He felt like he bent in half to reach. With a cluck of annoyance, he straightened and repinned his plaid. Their hands clasped together as they walked further upstream. Dominic pointed out landmarks along the way and showed Emelie where he and Brodie used to swim.
“I never learned how,” Emelie admitted.
“You never learned? Would you like to?” Dominic asked.
“Aye. We’re practically surrounded by water. I suppose I should know how.”
“Do you fear someone throwing you in?” Dominic’s question wasn’t entirely in jest.
“No. But I should hate to tumble in.”
“I can start teaching you tomorrow. We can go to a calm section of the bay.”
“Won’t more people see us?”
“Nay. There’s a place Brodie takes Laurel.”
“She knows how to swim?” It surprised Emelie to hear this.
“Like a bluidy fish, apparently. Terrifies him how long she can hold her breath and how far out she swims. She claims the loch is like bathwater after learning to swim in the North Sea. From what Monty told us, she was a hellion even as a child. She’d climb the crags along the beach. She’s both a squirrel and a selkie.”
Emelie grinned. “Perhaps she should teach me.”
