Dinner at the castle.
Shaking my head at my thoughts, I pulled my rain jacket from my pack and bent my head against the increasing pressure of the wind. Following Gloam, I trailed my hand along the stone wall, when the clouds opened up and let loose a nasty barrage of rain. Stumbling, I raced after Gloam down the hill, but the conditions quickly worsened and I could barely see in front of my face.
“Go on!” Gloam looked behind him at my shout. “Get cover. I can’t run as fast as you. It’s too slippery.”
I’d just have to stumble my way carefully down the hill, holding on to the wall for safety. Oh well, it was just rain. Icy cold and coming down impossibly fast, but still, I wouldn’t melt.
Lightning flashed, thunder cracking the air quickly after it.
“Bloody hell.”
So much for a peaceful day off. I inched my way along the wall, feeling with each step, not wanting to take a tumble and twist my ankle. My energy was already somewhat sapped from a day of hiking, I was a touch jittery from healing the unicorn, and nerves were making me uncertain in my steps.
“Hey!”
I lifted my head to see a man in a black rain jacket, the hood pulled over his head and shadowing his face, standing at a gate in the wall.
“Come on then, I have a wee dry space to ride out the rain!” The man beckoned to me, and only as I drew closer did I see who it was.
My heart sank.
Dr. Luch Carmichael.
I didn’t know if I was safer just toughing out the storm, but when Gloam streaked inside the gate that Luch held open, I figured it was safe. He wouldn’t lead me astray. Or at least I hoped he wouldn’t. Swallowing my nerves, I stumbled the rest of the way through the pounding rain to where he stood, holding the gate open, staring after Gloam in astonishment.
“Nice day for a walk, isn’t it?” Luch asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.Good God, the man’s handsome.I’d tried to avoid noticing when I’d treated his pup, but close up like this? He left me a little breathless.Or that could be from the excitement of helping the unicorn. I grinned.
“Och, aye. Bloody brilliant.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Faelan
Afairy tale cottage, all mossy stones and smoking chimney, was tucked in a clearing surrounded by trees. Gloam disappeared behind the cottage, and I had to assume he’d find shelter somewhere close.
Hurrying against the rain, I ducked inside the door Luch held open for me, feeling like I stepped into another world. Water dripped in long streams from boughs of the trees surrounding the sturdy stone cottage, and moss clambered up the stone walls. Warm light flickered from the windows, a welcome respite in the storm, and I stepped inside the door to scents of garlic mixed with woodfire. Colorful art lined the walls, with brash colors and strong strokes, and a thick burlap-style rug covered the wide-planked wood floor. A fire crackled merrily in the fireplace.
It was all so homey and directly at odds with the harshedges of my initial assessment of one Dr. Luch Carmichael. Nerves warred with curiosity in my gut.
Would I have to push him into the fire to make my escape? Shaking my head from thoughts of grim childhood fairy tales, I smiled at where Oban woofed his greeting.
“Och, there’s a fine gentleman. Look at you,” I cooed, standing on the mat by the door, as water ran in rivulets down my legs. I didn’t want to take one step farther, lest I mess up anything in this nice cottage.
“Caught the worst of it, didn’t ye?” Luch hung his jacket by the door and slipped his shoes off, before disappearing through a doorway to another room. I was grateful for a moment to gather my nerves, and to study the space around me. To the right was a cozy living room, with a dog bed in front of the fire, and wide-paned windows that overlooked the forest and the loch below. To my left was a streamlined kitchen and eating area, with a pot simmering on the stove. It smelled delicious, something garlicy and Italian maybe, and my stomach growled.
Luch walked back out in just a pair of loose tartan pajama pants, and I almost swallowed my tongue. Thick muscles rippled down his abs, a sprinkle of dark hair leading to his waistband. He toweled his hair with one hand and held out another towel to me with the other, which I immediately buried my face in. Taking a few deep breaths so I could gather some control over my wayward thoughts, I pretended to take my time drying my face and hair. My clothes, however, were soaked.
“Let me get you something to change into.”
“Och, it’s fine. I’ll just be on my way. Surely thiswill pass soon.”
Thunder rumbled at my words, mocking me, and I sighed. A glimmer of a smile tugged at Luch’s lips.
“Clothes?”
“Um, sure.” Otherwise I was just going to be left standing here dripping on his doormat, looking at the ceiling so I didn’t burst into flames from staring at his chest. The man was massively ripped—I’d counted at least a six-pack—maybe eight—before I’d torn my eyes away. How was that even possible? Who had the time to work out that much? Surely his work kept him busy? Did he chop his own wood for the winter or something?
I swallowed and tried to act like I was having any thoughts but lusty ones when he returned, pointing to a door he’d just come out of.
