“What has made ye so angry?”
“Maybe yer gift tae read emotions isnae always a trustworthy one,” she said tartly. “It infuriates me ye can dae this so easily and I cannae. That is all.”
“Is it?”
“Aye!”
“Nay, there’s something more here.”
“Oh, enough of this.” She tried to stand, to somehow walk past him and out of her trapped corner, but the table was in the way. She was simply forced to sit back down again, only this time, they ended up even closer to one another, with Kai planting one hand on the table and one on the back of the bench, so she was blocked truly by his body.
Her eyes flitted over the strong shoulders. When she gazed a little bit too long, she had to force her gaze back toward his face. He had stilled completely. For one awful minute, she thought hehad seen the way she had looked at him, seen the weakness, but he stayed silent, just staring.
“Are ye going tae let me out or nae?”
“Where will ye go?”
“I…” She halted. In truth, she didn’t know. She could ride home, though at this time of night and in this snow, she would be susceptible to injury and being attacked by bandits. She also knew that she needed more lessons from Kai. Even if she mastered the knack of holding Blair Grant’s gaze and softening her expression, it would not be enough to make him offer marriage.
“Stay the night here.”
“What?”
“Stay the night here in the tavern. In the early morning, we’ll go tae yer home and ye’ll sneak back in. Then I will show up and pretend I came tae escort ye tae see me sister. Yer faither willnae say nay,” he reminded her with ease. “There, we’ll have more privacy fer our lessons.”
“Ye will continue with these lessons then?”
“Of course. Even if ye are angry at me fer flirting with a barmaid –”
“I didnae say I was angry at ye,” she protested, but Kai was already on his feet, a mischievous smile in place.
“I’ll get us two rooms fer the night.” As he walked away, Ava seriously considered defying him and refusing his request. She could go home again, damn all the lessons, and try to seduce Blair Grant alone, but then she reasoned how bad a job she would do if she had to.
Standing to her feet, she determinedly avoided looking at the dark-haired barmaid as she crossed the room to talk to another lass.
Kai was waiting for her at the bottom of the tavern staircase, two room keys in his hand. The dark-haired barmaid was trying to get his attention, but oddly, Kai didn’t seem to have noticed, he was only looking at Ava as she walked through the crowds of drinkers toward him.
“One room each,” he said, handing her the key.
“Is this so yer new friend can keep ye company in the night?” Ava nodded in the direction of the dark-haired beauty. The moment the words were out of her mouth, she regretted it. She felt both petulant and jealous.
What has gotten into me?
Kai led her up the staircase, tossing the words casually over his shoulder.
“I may enjoy fighting with ye, Ava, but I have never liked making ye angry. The only one in me bed tonight, will be me.”
Ava wasn’t sure whether to smile at the thought or not.
CHAPTER SIX
Ava looked repeatedly at the staircase. The sun had risen and was now glowing brightly through the windows of the tavern, casting the room in yellow and white streaks of light. The snow clearly wasn’t melting in the sunlight, for the air was too cold, but it wasn’t that what made Ava shiver and fidget in her seat.
She kept looking at the stairs, waiting to get a glimpse of Kai. She was also hoping to see if anyone would come down the stairs with him, and if he would hold true to his word of sleeping alone the night before.
“Here.” A woman’s voice made her turn around. It was the dark-haired lass from the night before. She planted a trencher of bread and cheese that looked more fit for maggots than human consumption. She did not look happy but pouted and kept glancing at the empty seat beside Ava.
All of a sudden, Ava found herself smiling. Clearly the barmaid’s foul mood was because Kai had shown no further interest in her the night before.
