“I have no idea,” I said. “But I don’t think so.”
He narrowed my eyes. “Doesthis kilt make my butt look big?”
I couldn’t stop a laugh. “No. You look perfect.”
Arric chuckled. “Thank you.”
“Ready to go back in?”
He pulled me closer. “One more minute.”
“Okay.” I smiled and he leaned down to kiss me.
“There you are,” Catriona breathed out, pushing open one of the French doors, and interrupting our sweet moment. “The natives are getting restless.”
I nodded. “Right. We’re coming.”
I held my hand out to Arric and he took it, then we followed Catriona back inside.
Arric
THE DAY AFTER Isla’s party, she and I had been outside enjoying lunch on the great lawn with a few of her family members when the sky opened up and rained so hard, we had to run for cover. We ended up under a stone archway that really didn’t give us a whole lot of cover, but it gave me a good excuse to wrap my arms around Isla and hold her close.
You’re lovely and warm.
I grinned.Hence the reason I’m holding you close. It’s all about you, baby.
I like this side of you.She squeezed me tighter and I stroked her hair as we stood in our tiny little world for a few precious moments.
After ten minutes, the decision was made to head back to the house rather than wait out the rain. I followed the group back to the castle and walked into the great hall to find Gunnach and his wife, Samantha, laughing at something… or, rather, someone… in front of them.
A tall, well-dressed man with salt and pepper hair, deep blue eyes and a look of authority about him smiled at Kade in a way that looked like he was humoring the man. He looked to be in his sixties, but I sensed he was much, much older.
Andi gasped, then said excitedly, “Haddi!” before rushing to the man laughing with the Gunnachs.
Haddi pulled her in for a chaste hug and then Dalton shook his hand.
“What are you doing in Scotland?” Andi, asked.
“I was told the Cauld Ane needed me, so I am here.”
“How could I not have sensed your arrival?” Andi, asked.
“I summoned the rain to cloak my movements. I thought it best to travel in secret,” Haddi replied. “Until I’ve had the chance to learn a bit more about our new guest.”
I crossed my arms and watched, my stomach roiling with trepidation. God, I needed to get a handle on this dungeons and dragons world I’d stumbled into. I wanted to escape back to Alaska and hide from all this bullshit, but the magnetic pull I felt to this place and these people was simply too strong. As was my need to protect Isla. My whole being was gearing up for something bad to happen and I felt ill with foreboding.
A gentle hand on my arm eased my fear and I glanced down at Isla who had her eyes closed as she touched me.
I’d given Isla every reason to hate my guts and yet she was always by my side at the times when I felt the most overwhelmed. I, on the other hand, thought Isla was amazing and yet continued to fuck up with her. Over and over.
I had a long history of being an asshole. Women typically came to me, and if I wanted to have a little fun, we’d have a little fun, but with Isla, a war raged inside my head. A battle between my desire to keep her at arm’s length and my heart’s need to cherish her forever. I didn’t do relationships. I didn’t have the time or the desire to be that vulnerable.
Isla was becoming the exception. I hated that I hurt her on any level and that both shocked and scared me. My heart and soul burned for her, yet I knew if I opened myself up to her, I’d be inviting even more emotional chaos into my life.
Haddi approached me and I watched him warily. “Arric Mann.”
I lifted my chin but said nothing.
