“I’m just like Auntie Mairghread and ma grandmama before her. We’re made of sterner stuff than the rest of ye.” Rose grinned as she splashed Greer, sending a spray of water into her friend’s mouth and up her nose.
“I shall get ye back for that.”
CHAPTER4
Greer watched Blaine and Thor set up the picnic on the shore before they both took off their boots. They propped their swords near the loch’s edge, then unfastened their belts and plaids. Greer twirled away as Rose laughed. She was already looking away from the men, but they could hear as they both splashed into the water. It only a took a moment before the men joined the women. While Blaine swam directly to Rose, Thor kept a respectful distance. Greer gave the couple more space. The water was clear for several feet, so it hid little.
Greer watched Thor’s shoulder muscles bunch and relax as he drifted his arms back and forth to tread water. He attempted to keep his attention diverted, but she caught him glancing toward the waterline that barely covered her submerged breasts.
“I’m going for a swim.” Greer and Thor spoke simultaneously, both wishing for an escape. Blaine and Rose barely noticed them, and Greer was certain they would prefer to be alone. She swam away from Thor, enjoying the solitude for a little while. But their paths crossed, and both considered avoiding the other. However, Thor kicked hard until he was in front of Greer. He kept his gaze locked with hers.
“Aboot the other evening. I shouldnae have forced ye to go outside with me or to have a conversation ye didna want. I regret that, but I dinna regret telling ye how I feel aboot ye going back to Gunn Castle. I was serious, Greer. Please dinna do it.”
“I dinna lie, despite what ye insist upon believing. I told ye I wouldnae, so I willna.”
“Ye’ve spent most of yer life lying. That’s how ye collected secrets to share with Rose.”
Greer’s temper spiked. If she thought she were strong enough, she would rise out of the water and press Thor’s head under. “I have never lied to ye, and ye ken why I did what I did.”
“For a clan that’s never appreciated ye.”
“We dinna all get to be perfect Sinclairs. Some of us live in reality nae some tale a bard spun.”
“Do the Keiths seem the same frauds ye claim we are? They seem like a happy enough clan. Mayhap it was yers that was a pile of shite and nae everyone else’s.”
“I didna say ye were frauds. I dinna think there is aught ye fake in yer family. But we dinna all get to be cherished in this life or the next.”
“Greer—”
“Lady Greer.”
Thor swam closer, testing the boundaries of propriety. He prayed no one across the loch from them thought they were any closer than they were. It would look incriminating, and he didn’t want either of them forced into marriage.
“Greer, we dinna get along. But that doesnae mean ye dinna deserve to be cherished.”
“Ye spew shite like it comes from a hog’s arse. Ye detest me. Ye dinna think I deserve aught but the life I’ve had.”
“Be glad I canna drag ye out of this water like I did the keep’s steps. I dinna detest ye. I dinna trust ye. But I have never wished ye harm, and I dinna wish ye a miserable life.”
“Really? Ye certainly made sure that’s what I had.”
Greer dove under the surface, giving Thor a brief glimpse of the most perfect female backside he’d ever seen. Then she was gone. He knew she could hold her breath for several minutes. But so could he. He dove beneath the surface, his eyes open as he searched for her. Her hair floated around her bare shoulders as her skin glimmered beneath the sun’s refracted light. He swam hard to catch her, grasping her ankle and dragging her back to him.
Her head popped out of the water at the same time as his. She tried to turn to face him, but his arm slid around her waist. Thor was careful not to make their bodies touch, and he kept his arm far below her breasts. The last thing he needed was for her to scream bloody murder when she discovered what she always did to him. His reaction was still visceral to the wee firebrand.
“Cease, Greer. I’m nae letting go until ye explain what ye meant.”
“Nay.”
“Greer.” Thor infused the authority into his voice that he used with his men. She laughed. “Greer.”
“I shall hate ma name if I must hear ye keep saying it.”
“Ye owe me an explanation if I’ve made yer life worse.”
“I dinna owe ye aught. Ye dinna believe when I explain things, anyway. Let go, Thor, or ye shall never sire an heir.”
He sucked in a breath, and his arm reflexively tightened around her waist. He moved her a dangerous inch closer. She stilled before she looked over her shoulder.
