“That is what I wish,” he said, giving her a sloppy kiss, “If ye wish it too. But this cannae be the place.”
She nodded and then swallowed, wanting to hear words of affection. “What were ye going tae say in the library, before me brother came in? And why did ye take the note that ye had written with the flowers?”
Waiting, she curled her hands around Bryce’s neck, unable to let go of him just yet even though Bryce was right. They certainly couldn’t be found in the throes of such illicit passion on the stone floor of the armory.
“I—” he began when they turned to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. Bryce cursed under his breath as he pulled away from her, and they faced Kyla. She bounded into the room, smiling.
She looked between them and kept grinning. “So…” she paused. “Who won?”
* * *
Bryce hoped that his loose tunic would sufficiently cover the bulge in his tartan trousers. He was very happy for Lorna to know of his desire for her, but he didn’t wish for Kyla to look upon it, be scandalized, and take Lorna up and away from him as fast as possible. He grinned, attempting to school his features into a mask of casual indifference. Kyla knew of his affection, but she would most likely not approve of him nearly laying down her charge on a stone floor and having his way with her.
“Why, Lorna did of course. Far too quick for me. Even in skirts.” He glanced down at Lorna’s dress, noting that it looked slightly ruffled and trying not to think too much of what delights lay beneath it.
Kyla beamed and put her hands on her hips. “I kenned that she would. Athol is always surprised when she does, but ye, sir, look almost satisfied.”
“I am. It is nae a good thing for a man tae be good at everything his hand touches. It is good for him tae be humbled now and again.” He laughed when he felt Lorna’s hand slap his shoulder.
“It is the curse of Highland men and sons of Lairds tae be so cocky,” she sneered. “Although I was surprised I was able tae disarm ye. Ye sure ye were nae pretending?” She waited for his answer, and he looked into her lovely green eyes. The flickering lights of the torches were dancing across her face, accentuating the angles both there and lower. He had the deepest desire to draw her outline with his tongue.
“I wasnae pretending, and I am nae surprised that ye were able tae disarm me. In more ways than one.” His voice was low, and his meaning clear. He knew she understood when he saw her lips part as she sucked in a breath.
“Well, I suppose it is time for bed,” Lorna said, leaning down to pick up her blade. Unknowingly, she had given him a deeper view down her bodice, and he tore his eyes away to pick up his own blade. He put it back.
“Aye, true enough,” he said, nodding as he took Lorna’s blade and put it away as well.
Lorna turned to leave, and at the base of the stairs, she turned. “I must thank ye for what ye did for me mother. That was kind of ye.”
He nodded, filled with pleasure at her gratitude. While he esteemed Lady Arrin, he had done it for Lorna’s sake.
“Think naething of it, lass. I was happy tae do it.”
“Me father will be pleased upon his return.” She paused, and Bryce knew that she could feel it too, this frustrating lack of desire to part. It was like they were connected by a long string, and it would snap as soon as she took her leave up the stairs.
“Aye, I hope so.” The air was thick with anticipation and slight awkwardness, and Kyla was looking between them as if waiting for them to make a decision about something.
“Goodnight, then,” Lorna said with a quick smile.
“Goodnight, lass. Sleep well.”
He watched as she and Kyla left up the steps, and he removed his shirt and tossed it to the side. Taking a blade from the wall, he began to spar with one of the straw dummies provided for the exercise. He was frustrated in more ways than one, and the exercise would do him well. He had been given the chance to tell Lorna how he felt and explain his foolish cowardice with the note, but then someone interrupted them. Again.
He grunted as he felt the blade hit the dummy, and he worked himself up into a quite a sweat, hoping to clear his mind and help himself get a better sleep. Because at this point, his desire and ache for Lorna was making his blood sing and distracting his mind entirely. Even with the exercise, he had a feeling that sleep would be impossible.
