“I canna bear a man who wishes to dominate me—force me to do things against me will. Especially when it comes to me sisters. I care for ye, Adam. I do, and ye know it.”
He reached for her hand and cradled it in his. “I will take whatever time ye are willing to give me, Kali. One day. A week. A year. ’Tis better than not having ye at all.”
“Adam…” she whispered his name. “Aye, I forgive ye.”
He grinned, then rose to his feet. “Did ye expect me to forget that kiss we shared, lass?”
She rolled her eyes, sure to keep a tight grip on the lantern, the only thing to protect herself from the masculine temptation standing in front of her again.
“Do ye plan to wallop me upside the head with the lantern?” His smile grew even more cocky.
“That depends on what ye say.”
“Aye?”
“Aye,” she said resolutely.
“Then I had better choose me next words carefully.”
“I agree.”
“Would ye like to go for a ride with me?”
She looked about for another mount. “On that?” She gestured at his horse.
“Aye, ’tis the general purpose of me mare.”
“The two of us on that great beast?”
He coaxed the lantern from her hand and placed it on the ground at their feet. “Why are ye so reluctant to ride with me?”
She paced a step away from him, unwilling to look him directly in the eyes, for she could never lie to his face. “I am no’ reluctant, just busy with…”
His strong hand closed around hers. “Too busy for me?”
She met his gaze then, her mouth suddenly dry. “If I ride with ye, we might be tempted to…”
“To do this again?” He tugged her into his arms and slanted his mouth across hers. This time the kiss was urgent but tender, and she could not deny him, for her mouth opened instantly, her tongue seeking his, her senses filled with everything he had to offer—his woodsy scent, his raw power, the hint of mint on his breath, and everything else that forced her to shut her eyes and fantasize that they were two different people living in another world where they wouldn’t be forbidden from each other.
His hands roamed up her sides, caressing and exploring, then up to her face, where he cupped her cheek before he gently pulled her shawl down, revealing her curls.
“Never,” he whispered into her mouth, “hide your fiery mane from me, Kali Bane. Never.”
He buried his fingers in her loose hair, then kissed her again and again. Kali struggled to believe it was real—that he was more than a dream. But when she opened her eyes again, he was there, holding her, once again tempting her.
Then his fingers moved to her sides and tickled her, forcing her to laugh aloud. “What are ye doing to me?”
“I wanted to hear ye giggle like a girl, Kali.” He tickled her sides again, and she retaliated, finding his thigh, tickling him back.
He jumped as nimbly as a rabbit, leaving her to stumble over her own feet.
“Catch me if ye can, lass.”
He dashed away, splashing through the burn, gazing back at her, waiting for her to pursue him.
So she did, running after him, her boots soaked as she stomped through the water, giggling freely. “I willna show any mercy if I catch ye, Adam MacKay. This water is cold.”
For a moment she thought she had lost him, and then he reappeared, standing before her, arms raised. “Here is yer chance, lass. Do as ye dare.”
