“I didnae say I was anxious.”
“Ye never dae, fierce and steady as ever, Ava.” He winked at her, then leaned an inch forward, lowering his voice in aconspiratorial whisper. “Yet I ken ye. I ken ye are anxious right now. Or do ye always fidget this much?”
She clamped her hands together and stood as still as a statue.
“Oh, much more natural,” he said with full sarcasm.
“I’m leaving,” she said swiftly, turning on her heel and marching for the door.
“What? Ava!” He ran after her, though she didn’t turn to acknowledge him.
Making a quick dash for the door, she stepped out as quickly as she could, her pace halting as she stepped into the snow. The wind whipped against her hair, making her tartan gown ripple. She grabbed her cloak, trying to stop it from flying away as it buffeted around her shoulders.
The door was shut loudly behind her, just as a pair of hands rested on her shoulders, planting the cloak in place so it could not move.
Ava felt something in her stomach that she did her best to ignore. She had learned years ago that touches from Kai were unimportant. He touched women regularly, for he was a known rake. She was just one of the few he would touch no more than this.
“Stay warm out here,” he whispered in her ear, his lips so close that her eyes involuntarily closed.
Dinnae think about how close his lips are right now.
Her eyes shot open again and she stepped forward, marching through the snow and wrapping the cloak as tightly around her body as you could.
“Have ye been riding without an escort?” he asked, traipsing after her with ease.
“I dinnae need an escort. I can defend meself, remember?” She hardly needed to gesture to the weapons she kept beneath her cloak. He had seen her fight many times.
“Aye, aye, so ye can, Ava. It doesnae mean ye should ride alone. Unless… the reason ye are here tonight ye wanted tae keep secret from everyone.”
“Stop reading me emotions, Kai,” she said sharply as she turned into the stable out the back of the tavern. Pulling on the bridle, she steered her white horse forward, but Kai was once again in the way, his tall figure overbearing and dominating in the stable.
“Ye ken I cannae dae that.”
“Dae me this favor.” She held up a finger to him. “Dinnae ask about what I said. Dinnae ask anymore about why I am here. Itis me secret, me bur…” She broke off, fearing she had said too much.
Kai’s face hardened. Gone was the playful curiosity. In its place there was steady concern.
“Burden.”
“I didnae think ye could read minds,” Ava murmured, her stomach tightening all the more.
“Nae minds, lass, ye ken that.” He took a step toward her, and she tightened her hold on the bridle, intent on riding as far away through the snow as fast as she possibly could once the opportunity presented itself. “Hearts…” He paused and raised a finger, pointing at her chest. “Aye, maybe them.”
“Stop it.” She swiped his hand away.
“Ah, fierce as ever.”
“Always,” she spat in his direction. “Now let me leave, Kai, and dae me a favor, never mention this meeting tae anyone.” She put her foot in the stirrup and was about to lift her leg over when his arm came up around her waist. “Kai!” He pulled her back, until she could no longer touch the horse.
“It’s the only language ye understand, isnae it?” he whispered in her ear. “A fight…”
“Ye and I always fight,” she reminded him.
“And ye love it.” His lips were practically against her neck. Something spiraled in her gut, a type of excitement that she had learned long ago to stamp down on when she was around Kai.
Get out of his grasp!
Acting on instinct, she reached for the basilard in her belt and lashed out with her foot. Kai was clearly prepared for it. He spread his legs wide in time, managing to avoid her kicking a particularly sensitive area, though he relaxed his hold in the effort to do so. She spun around, backed up from him, basilard outstretched to warn him not to come any closer.
