Chapter Four
For a secondtime, Kai found himself seated with Jamie in the great hall after most people had gone to sleep, drinking ale and nursing his wounded spirit that he kept well hidden—and a bruised shin. For such a slight lass, Miran could kick as hard as a horse.
“She assaulted ye how many times?” Jamie asked, looking frustrated and disappointed.
“Do not blame her.”
“Nay?”
“No.”
Jamie scratched his head. “Ye are protecting her for a reason.”
Kai met his laird’s curious stare. “I kissed her.”
“Kissed her?” Jamie repeated. “How?”
Kai cleared his throat, not enthusiastic about providing such details. “With my mouth.”
Jamie rolled his eyes and took a long drink of ale. “Aye—is there any other way to kiss a lass?”
Kai didn’t provide an answer.
“Ye stole another kiss from her. That’s what happened, aye?”
Kai nodded, realizing anything he added to the conversation would only implicate him more. For whenever the lass came too close or shouted at him undeservedly, the only thing he could think about doing was kissing her. Not only to silence her, but to convince her he meant her no harm, that she should consider him a serious candidate for her future husband. Though other men admired her, even lusted after her from a distance, they feared her temperament. As any prudent man should, for Miran MacKay had a fiery soul, as hot and dangerous as the desert sun. Only Kai believed he could tame her. But not under the watchful eyes of his new laird and lady.
“Ye are well familiar with the traditions of the Scots.”
“Aye,” Kai said like any Highlander.
Jamie’s lips hitched into a grin. “The lass is my responsibility. Her happiness is important to me. Her safety is…”
“No one will harm Miran as long as I am alive.”
Jamie sighed. “I believe ye.”
“Good.”
“But this game the two of ye play is dangerous.”
“Game?”
“Aye. The mutual denial. Ye ignore the finer points of courting a lass, falsely leading her to believe all ye want from her is sex. And in return, she hates ye.”
“Would you have me bend a knee in front of everyone and beg for her hand in marriage? She would laugh in my face, wiping away the respect I’ve earned from everyone in this household.”
“Maybe.”
“I am not inexperienced with women, Jamie.”
His laird laughed heartily. “Tis the furthest thought from my mind.”
“I will play this game, as you call it, for as long as it takes. One day, she will grow tired of all the anger and seek refuge in my arms.”
Jamie growled. “Doona say any more about it.”
Kai finished his ale, wondering why he never felt drunk when he imbibed. He shrugged off the thought, stood and stretched, then patted Jamie on the shoulder. “I wish you a peaceful sleep.”
