He smiled at her, then knelt before her. “Here, let me help ye.” She lifted each foot and he unlaced her boots so he could pull them off. Then he removed her stockings. “Bury yer toes in the sand, Kali. Then we will walk in the waves.”
She did as he suggested, curling her toes in the cool sand and loving the feel of it. She giggled like a child—discovering new things always made her happy. She felt insignificant before the immense ocean and under the full moon.
“My sire called ye to his solar today?”
“Aye,” her voice wavered.
“And what did me illustrious father say to ye?”
She looked up at him, not wanting to spoil the moment. “Nothing of importance.”
He snorted at her reply. “Afraid to tell me?”
“Nay. But his words have no effect on us here and now, do they?”
“That depends,” he said as he fingered a curl. “What did he tell ye?”
She sighed, realizing she couldn’t keep the truth from him. “He reiterated how much he distrusted me and disliked me. He also warned me to stay away from the children.”
“Shite.” Adam shook a fist at the sky. “The old man is testing me patience more every day. I swear…”
“He is yer father, Adam.”
“He has become a stranger to me.”
In silence, they joined hands and walked along the water; the waves sweeping over their feet and splashing their legs. Kali basked in the glorious experience. She would never forget this moment.
…
Kali might already be betrothed to Lord Nelson, and Adam’s father would never approve of a match between them. But here and now was all he cared about. The lass made him laugh, gave him a reason to wake up in the morn with a smile on his face. Not that he hadn’t had a meaningful life before he’d met her—but somehow it just seemed better now.
He let her hand go so she could explore the beach, and he hung back, watching her. Every few feet she would stop and bend over, digging through the sand and picking up a pebble or seashell, any of the treasures his secret beach offered. Then she’d right herself and stare longingly out across the water, stepping reverently into the ceaseless waves.
“It is so cold,” she called to him.
“Aye. But as rejuvenating as an evening bath. Do ye wish to swim with me?” He jogged to catch up with her, hoping she’d agree.
“In the dark?”
He nodded and smiled. “Note all the torches about the beach and the cabin I built years ago in case of a storm.” He turned and pointed in the direction of the cliffs, hundreds of feet away from the waterline. “I keep it fully stocked.”
She crossed her arms over her lovely breasts and smirked at him. “Stocked with what? And for whom?”
He shrugged, knowing she was feigning jealousy.
“For all the pretty lasses ye woo.”
Adam winked at her, wishing he could tell her she was the only woman he had ever brought here. But a man had his pride. And Kali made it difficult to even keep that intact when standing so close to him.
She rewarded him with another brilliant smile, then focused on the ocean again. Slowly, she walked inland a few feet, then shed her shawl and dress, leaving only her thin linen shift. Hunger swirled up inside him—nearly overpowering his sense of duty to remain respectful and not gawk at her lovely form. For even under the cover of night, he could see the curve of her hips, the shapeliness of her thighs, and as his gaze drifted up her body, the fullness of her breasts—her hard nipples peeking through the material.
The gods were pranksters of the worst kind! Tempting him with such beauty.
“I have stripped down to my unmentionables. Why are ye still fully clad?”
He nearly choked on his own saliva. “I doona have the advantage of a shift under me plaid, lass. Ye wouldna…”
“Want to see what the good Lord has blessed ye with?”
