“So ye’d what?”
“So that I’d be careful around ye,” she finished meekly, the words embarrassing enough to utter without the evidence of their necessity from their earlier encounter.
To her surprise, he chuckled. It was low and genuine, as if he couldn’t help but find the whole thing funny.
“Is that why ye’re always hidden away when I visit?” he asked, the smile still on his face. “I cannae recall us talkin’ to each other since ye were two.”
She glared at him. She couldn’t believe how unserious he was being.
“Ye’re nae funny,” she huffed.
“Neither are ye, lass. Anyone else would have been offended.”
“And ye’re nae?”
“Nay. I’m just… amused.” He winked. “That might be more dangerous.”
Thalia rolled her eyes, ignoring the way her heart had skipped a beat at the gesture. “Ava warned me about yer tricks, too. But if ye want to ken the truth, she didnae have to. I would have heard the lasses calling ye theHighland Wolf. I thought it was due to how ye are in battle, but I was clearly wrong.”
“Flirting is a battle too, lass,” he replied smoothly. “And I always win me battles.”
Thalia jutted her chin in determination. “Well, maybe ye daenae choose worthy opponents.”
With that, she pushed past him and strode straight back towards the castle without looking back. It wasn’t until she made it safely back to her room that she realized she hadn’t even gotten to see the primroses.
Oh, that man! Ava was right. I’ll make sure to stay away from him. He’s nothin’ but trouble.
Finlay watched her leave. Her hood, which had hidden her face from him, had fallen down after their encounter, allowing her dark brown hair to fall freely around her shoulders and down her back. The moon revealed itself at last, casting enough light so that his eyes could follow her all the way back to the castle.
She was so different from how he remembered her. They had known each other nearly all their lives, and yet it was as if he was seeing her for the first time. Her insolent behavior had been amusing and intriguing, to say the least. She was no longer the shy, quiet girl who would hide away from him. No, she was a woman.
A fierce, fiery spark of a woman who seemed keen on having the last word.
“Apologies for the late arrival, me Laird.”
Finlay looked behind him at the young maid he’d been supposed to meet before he had stumbled upon Thalia. Looking at her now, he couldn’t believe he had actually mistaken the two.
The woman before him was shorter, her figure much thinner than the luscious curves he had managed to get a good look at, considering the thin nightgown Thalia had been wearing. Her brown hair was also much duller in comparison.
“Ye’re welcome to punish me as much as ye’d like,” the maid whispered suggestively.
She came forward, draping herself across his chest, but Finlay found that his desire for her had left with Thalia.
He pushed her back gently but firmly. “Ye should have come here on time.”
He left without another word, his mind on far more interesting things.
He thought of the way Thalia’s body had felt pressed against his when he had first grabbed her, the way her breath had caught in her throat.
He wondered if he’d ever get the chance to experience that feeling ever again. He wondered if he’d get the chance to experience anything else she might have to offer.
Ava had been right about one thing: Thalia should be kept far, far away from him.
CHAPTER 1
“Look at yer wee toes!”Thalia cooed, grabbing the delicate feet of the baby before her. “Why, I could just gobble them right up!”
She lowered her head, smacking her lips and pretending that she was chewing on the feet of the baby, who laughed delightedly at the amusing display.
