“I ken,” she nodded. “I dinnae want this tae ever end, Kai.”
At her words, he moved down, resting himself on his elbows as he kissed her gently, just a single brush of their lips together.
“Then it willnae end. Ye cannae go through with that wedding.”
She nodded. He was right. How could she possibly marry Laird Grant when she was here begging Kai to finish inside of her?
“Let us speak tae me faither.”
“Aye. I’ll tell him I want tae marry ye, and we’ll just… we’ll make him see that there is another way. Aye?”
“Aye, but… one thing more first.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down toward her. She kissed him, wanting to hold onto this moment for as long as possible.
Although she was certain she had to get out of this wedding now, she feared how her father would respond. She had a strong feeling that he would still refuse to give Kai his blessing, even if Ava told him that she was in love with Kai.
“Let us find him,” Kai whispered, lowering her hand between them as they slipped back out of the library. He adjusted the sleeve of her gown quickly, trying to mask any hint of what they had just done together. Her smile at his touch made his insides quiver.
I cannae lose her now.
“Was he at the feast?”
“Nay.” Ava shook her head. “He was there earlier, but he parted for some reason. I think I ken where we will find him.”
She led the way to her father’s study and knocked lightly on the door.
“Enter,” Laird Finley called from inside the room.
Ava led the way in, with Kai following behind her.
“What…” Laird Finley moved sharply to his feet at the sight of them. “Shut the door fast, before anyone sees ye two together.”
Kai did as he was told, shutting the door.
“What madness is this?” Laird Finley looked between them. “Can ye two nae stay away from one another fer a minute?”
“Nay.” Ava’s shoulders slumped with the word.
Kai hated how her father was making her feel.
It ends now.
“Me laird.” Kai inclined his head in respect. Laird Finley raised his eyebrows, showing in what little regard he held this movement. “Yer daughter and I, this is nay a passing thing. I wish tae marry her. I beg ye, release her from her betrothal tae Laird Grant and I will marry her. I will dae anything tae be with her. And tae help ye with Lyla.”
Laird Finley’s eyebrows raised in shock.
“Ye expect me tae betroth her tae a man who will mock the wedding vows? Who would take them so lightly?”
“I would never dae that.” Kai insisted, standing taller. Ava moved to his side and he took her hand, holding it gentlybetween his own. “I am in love with yer daughter, me laird. I wouldnae hurt her like that.”
“Ye may say it now. Ye may even believe it.” The look he gave Kai was almost pitying. “Yet I have tae put both me daughters’ happiness first. I dinnae believe fer a minute that ye would be loyal tae her, that ye would put her happiness first, and we must save Lyla from an even worse fate.”
“He daes put me happiness first, or he would nae have respected the idea of this betrothal when I told him about it.” Ava spoke for the first time since they had entered the room. “Kai is the only man I have ever met who has constantly tried tae make me happy, who has respected me. Faither, Kai kens what I have been through in me life, me fear… of men.” There was a hesitancy to her voice, but she stepped forward with purpose nonetheless.
Kai looked at her sharply, his stomach knotting tight. Could it be that she was really going to reveal this part of her past to him?
He moved her way, to tell her that she didn’t have to do this. She didn’t have to reveal such pain to her father, yet she laid a hand on his arm. It was a silent movement, but one that meant much. He could see it in her gaze as those eyes flicked toward him.
Aye, she is determined.
