He risked a touch of her silken hair, running an errant curl between his fingertips.
Emma tossed her head, raking the tress out of his hand as though smoothing it from the tug of the wind. Thank goodness she had yet to discover her heritage and had no idea of her powers.
Torin grinned as he brushed his fingers through her hair again. She would think it merely the breeze. What wondrous hair. He shifted in the seat, his body awakening at the thought of burying his face and perhaps other neglected body parts into the ecstasy of those silken locks. By the powers of the abyss, this woman threatened to be his undoing.
He adjusted his aching member beneath his kilt, thanking the powers for the ability to hide between the dimensions. Sucking in a deep breath between clenched teeth, he forced his gaze straight ahead. If theCailleachwanted them joined together, Torin would gladly oblige.
Chapter
Nineteen
Why in the world was she fretting around so? Emma circled the room like a caged beast and kept looking at the thing strapped to her left arm.
Torin shifted his weight to the center of the countertop. From his perch atop the kitchen cabinet, he observed Emma’s agitated moves all around the cottage. They made no sense whatsoever. He glanced at the bare counter and frowned at the empty table. Only the sweet scent of the smoldering peat burning in the hearth pervaded the room. Darkness drew near. Why didn’t she prepare herself a meal or an evening pot of that noxious black brew she loved so?
A loud rap shook the front door, causing Emma to jump. Torin tensed, scowling first at the door and then at Emma’s expression. Distress shadowed her features. The woman dreaded whatever lurked on the other side of the weathered oak doorway.
In one fluid motion, he withdrew a throwing dirk from inside his boot and lowered his feet to the floor. From this vantagepoint, he could attack the intruder before whatever stood on the other side of the threshold realized Torin waited inside.
Her lips creased into a determined line; Emma stared at the doorknob as though she feared the shining brass orb was about to bite her. Inhaling a deep, fortifying breath, she pulled the door open wide. “Hello, Dr. Mackenzie. You’re right on time.”
“Ye may call me Alex and I told ye I was prompt.”
“So, you did.Alex.” Emma jutted her chin a notch higher. Her forced smile became even more strained.
Torin palmed the haft of his dirk, settling it firmer in his hand. Who was this Alex Mackenzie? Taking in Emma’s tense demeanor toward the man standing in the doorway, instant dislike burned in the center of Torin’s chest. The man must be a threat, some sort of intruder. Emma didn’t like him. Why had she opened the door and invited him in?
“Just let me grab my jacket and we can go.” She jerked her coat off the back of the stool with an irritated yank.
Alex’s jaw tightened and one of his brows ratcheted a bit higher. “If ye intend to be hostile the entire evening, it will defeat the purpose of the meal.”
Torin eased closer to Emma. He didn’t like the fact that this Alex Mackenzie read her so well. Emma’s frustration hung heavy in the air. The tension in his chest eased a bit; replaced by flaming curiosity. If she despised Mackenzie so verra much, why was she leaving with him? Did the man hold some advantage over her?
“I am not hostile, Alex,” Emma snapped through gritted teeth. “I’m just tired.”
At this retort, both of Alex’s dark brows arched higher over his deep set blue eyes. Amusement sparkled in their depths. “Well, we’ll try to make an early evening of it then. I willna keep ye out overly long.”
Torin bristled, peering closer at the taunting doctor’s face. Emma was a fool if she believed this man wanted nothing but a meal. The cur toyed with her; his jeering words shielded a yearning soul. Torin stepped between Emma and Alex, locking his hands against his sides to keep from shoving the man back out the door. “Ye must not go with him, Emma. Dinna trust his shielded gaze.”
Emma’s eyes widened. Her gaze darted all around the room, searching for the source of the disembodied voice.
“What’s wrong? Have ye forgotten something?” Alex frowned, his head tilting to one side as though he were a devoted dog listening intently to his master.
Emma licked her lips and cleared her throat while hugging her jacket to her chest. “Nothing. I was just checking the room to make sure I didn’t leave anything I needed behind.”
“Ye canna go. Tell him to leave. If ye do not, I will.” Torin leaned closer, whispering against the side of her face. His lips brushed the satin curve of her ear. Lore, she smelled wondrous.He inhaled a deep breath of the sweet warmth of her skin. The tantalizing scent triggered a long forgotten ache.
Emma rubbed the side of her face as though chasing away a strand of hair. Pressing her trembling fingers against her forehead, she leaned against the wing-backed chair sitting beside the door. “You know, Alex, I suddenly don’t feel very well at all. Would you mind if we did this another time?”
With a narrow-eyed frown, Alex stepped closer and peered into her eyes. “Ye do seem a bit pale. Do ye feel as though ye have fever?”
Torin chuckled, tracing his fingertips down the silk of her neck. “She’s not got a fever, but I can tell ye her warmth feels as delicious and mouth-watering as a bit of bread just taken from the hearth.”
Emma’s ivory skin flushed a flaming red that crept all the way to her hairline. She slapped her hand against her throat and hissed between clenched teeth. “Stop touching me!”
Confusion registered on Alex’s face as he lifted both hands in the air. “I didna touch ye. I merely asked if ye thought ye had fever.”
Emma threw her jacket across the chair, then rubbed the back of her neck. “I’m not sure. I kind of feel a bit achy. I think I better stay in and rest tonight. I’m probably still adjusting to the different time zone and the change of climate.”
