Page 35 of Highlander’s Dangerous Gambler

"Nae maybe," said Aileen. Then she looked about. "Besides, I dinnae think it's gonnae rain tonight."

Scott shot her a withering look. "Lass, it's the Highlands—it rains every night!" But then he shook his head. "Well, maybe if we get under the tree...och!"

Despite their predicament, Aileen felt a smile curling on her lips. Seeing Scott so peeved was funny. But as he worked to secure a covering, she had to admit he made a good job of a bad situation. Eventually, Scott succeeded in constructing some kind of shelter over the tree.

Then, with an overblown gesture, he ushered Aileen over.

"Yer bedchamber awaits, my lady," he said with a wink to her.

Tentatively, Aileen settled down beneath the half-constructed canopy. She had to admit it was more comfortable than it looked.

Just as she was getting settled, she looked over. Scott was watching her, almost without taking his eyes away.

"Where are ye gonnae sleep?" she asked, yawning. It had only just occurred to her that he was preparing to sleep elsewhere. Watching as he held back, she looked earnestly.

"Well, I..." said Scott nervously. For the first time, she detected a trace of uncertainty in his voice. "Over here..."

He indicated a space some distance away from the tent. Aileen felt a little pang. She was not expecting this.

"Och," she said, trying not to sound crestfallen. Then she looked. "It's a lang way, an'..."

Reading her, Scott asked unsurely, "Ye’re scared?"

Aileen nearly yelped out loud. Was she scared! But on seeing his face, she changed her expression.

"Um, well, nae scared, but..." she began.

Scott leaped to her help. "Ah, dinnae fash I can...move nearer," he said, shifting up closer to the bedding under the tree.

It was tentative. It was awkward. But under the black backdrop, it felt somehow right. Gradually, the pair edged closer until Aileen could feel Scott's body heat from under her bedclothes.

He was close but not quite enough to touch. All the same, Aileen felt comforted by his presence.

"Is that near enough?" he asked, in a voice that Aileen could not quite determine. Suddenly, her heart gave a leap. What was he asking her?

But a quick glance assured her that he was not moving. Not at all. In fact, he was sitting rigidly in position, just over an arm's length from her.

There they were, together—but not quite, somehow—beneath the big tree. A strange shiver filled Aileen. She was cold, but more than that, she was unnerved.

This was strange. Under the glint of light coming from the stars, she could see him looking tentatively over. It was hard to see right, but every now and then, a ray of pale starlight picked out the flash in his eyes.

Then she saw him, open-eyed and staring, almost drinking her in. From the look in his eyes, she would have said he wanted her. But then, he rigidly stayed put.

In despair, Aileen pulled the covers over her face. Her head was buzzing so much with hot thoughts that she didn't know what to do. She felt sure it must be obvious that Scott could read her like she could him.

But looking at him, it didn't seem that he could. Instead, he kept his distance. Still, the orange light of the fire sent small sparks flying over, which illuminated him strangely. Every now and then, it looked as if Scott's eyes were flaring or crackling with heat.

And he stared. Even when the conversation between them had dried up, his stare was still there. Aileen watched curiously. They were both just far enough apart to pretend that they weren't gazing over at each other. In the dark, it was hard to see, with only occasional shards of light to illuminate them. The rest of the time, they sat together in darkness, freed of the need to pretend.

She would never sleep, she was sure. There was just too much rushing around her head. Scott was there, teasing her; his heat, his heartbeat, and his scent...it swirled about in the fall air, driving her to distraction.

Why did he not kiss her? Sitting there in wait was too much. It was beginning to feel like deliberate teasing. Was he enjoying her discomfort?

Every now and then, Aileen threw him looks, urging him on. Damn it, she couldn't make it more clear.

But nothing. Nothing at all.

Finally, a surge of irritation rose up in her. She was not going to play this game anymore. She was almost near enough to feel him.