Finlay steeled himself, turning to see a woman with a wild mane of fair blonde hair and deep brown eyes. Her chest had been squeezed too tightly into her dress, making her spill out over the top.
It was a look that would have made the younger him go wild with desire, and it had, in fact. Now, as he looked at her, he found there was not one spark of attraction he could summon for her.
“Daphne.” His voice was devoid of emotion.
He hoped it was enough for her to get the hint and leave.
She leaned toward him, making sure to push out her chest as she did. “It’s been some time since ye’ve paid me a visit. Was wonderin’ if ye forgot about me?” Her eyes flitted to Thalia with barely masked envy.
“This is me betrothed, Lady Thalia,” Finlay said firmly. He did not want to be too cruel to her, yet he would if she pushed him any further. “Daphne is an old friend.”
“I’d say we were more than friends,” she replied with a wink at Thalia.
Thalia stiffened. “Well, I’d hate to be in the way of oldfriendscatchin’ up. Excuse me.”
She turned on her heel, heading up for the old priory on the hill. Finlay made to go after her when Daphne drew closer.
“I didnae think the rumors were true. It’s hard to believe the Highland Wolf would settle down with anyone,” she purred, placing her hands on his chest.
Finlay grabbed both hands, removing them quickly. “Even if they werenae, I have nay interest in yer company anymore,” he replied through gritted teeth.
Daphne blinked at him, and he left her standing in the middle of the street as he followed after Thalia.
Despite her earlier protestations that he moved too quickly, she now trudged up the hill at a pace that far exceeded his own. His walk turned into a jog as he went after her, and he finally called out her name in an effort to slow her movements.
“Thalia! Wait, I can explain!”
“I daenae need any explanations!” she called back over her shoulder. “Shouldnae ye be spendin’ time withDaphne?” She spat the name as if it were poison.
Finlay finally reached her, grabbing her arm and turning her around to face him again. She was panting, her face flushed as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“Why are ye runnin’ away from me?” he asked. “That woman, she was just someone from me past. I havenae spoken to her in a long time.”
“Well, she certainly remembered ye well enough,” Thalia scoffed.
Finlay tilted his head, watching her brow furrow in annoyance. A sense of satisfaction rose in his chest as he realized the reason.
“Why are ye so angry?”
“I’m nae!” she insisted. “I can just see now why ye daenae want me. Ye could have anyone at yer feet. Ye cannae even walk down the street without some lass throwin’ herself at ye.”
He laughed. He could not help it. A thrill rushed through him as he listened to her words.
He gave her a smug smile. “Thalia, are ye jealous?”
Her eyes narrowed to slits, and she huffed as if that were the most ridiculous thing she’d ever heard. “Jealous? Of her? Why would I be? I daenae care what ye do, or with whom.”
“Ah, so ye daenae care at all about me thoughts? Me feelings?” he asked, taking a step closer to her.
“Nay, I daenae.” She stuck out her chin, giving him that same stubborn look he knew as sure as he knew the back of his hand.
“Then ye daenae want to hear about how I havenae wanted anyone like I want ye?” His voice was low, and the change in his demeanor was enough to make her lips part in surprise. “How I have spent so much time fantasizing about ye, and ye came right into me arms. Can ye imagine how hard it is for me to keep control?”
He looked over his shoulder back at the village. No one seemed to be paying attention to them, but they were still in view of anyone who might be interested.
“Finlay? What are ye?—”
Her question was cut off as he took her by the arm, leading her to the closest copse of trees. She stumbled behind him, unable or unwilling to argue against the turn of events. The fabric in his other hand dropped to the ground, and he wrenched off her bag so the only thing that remained between them was their clothing.
