Page 214 of Tales of Highland Loyalty

"So, then," Ainslee had said, eyeing him strangely. A mad rush had come over her, and she was sweating profusely. It was mid-autumn. She would always remember. The first of the fall leaves were on the trees, turning the most delicious russet brown.

He was watching. That was all she could recall, his eyes. They followed her about, seemingly undressing her as she moved around.

"What did ye come for, really?" Ainslee flashed at him. Malcolm squirmed. In truth, she had surprised herself with her directness. But she couldn't be bothered playing games any more.

There had been so many games before. That day in early September, had been the first time she had stopped playing them. For months now, they had been inching closer, but never quite getting there. Ainslee was done with all that.

Malcolm's eyebrows rolled. "Ye dinnae shilly shally do ye?"

Ainslee just laughed. "Whit do ye think?"

And before she knew it, he was just in her arms. She was not sure even how she did it. It just happened, their first kiss; surreptitiously, to the sound of clanging tongs.

"Ye like to live dangerously?" murmured Malcolm, as her father worked in the room behind them. The entire time, his voice could be heard.

Ainslee just shook her head, and smiled. In truth, she did not know what she was doing, just that she had waited so long to be with him.

Gazing through the half-light, Ainslee shook herself from her memories. That was ten years ago, now, here she was again. Her heart was a flood of feelings, none of which she understood.

Plainly, she faced Malcolm.

"So here ye are, all over...as if nothing has changed," she mused, as Malcolm watched her. He took her hand.

"Naething has changed," he told her. Ainslee felt a pang. She wished it was so. But in some ways it wasn't. Sensing she needed persuading, Malcolm tried again. "Nae where it matters... Ainslee, tis braw to be back..."

He smiled, and Ainslee's shoulders prickled. He was still the same; the same firm jawline, albeit this time covered in a long thick beard. And his eyes still twinkled, although, she noticed, a little less than before.

If anything, his time away had improved him, in a slightly roughened way. She couldn't help noticing the calluses on his fingers, though; they hadn't been there before.

...And the dryness of his hair, the sea had thickened his dark auburn locks, but only for the better. Holding into him softly, she still recalled the lad that had left her. Choking back a sob, she unraveled.

"Mal, tis only the thoughts o' oor olden days that got me through all this," she admitted. The floodgates were out. There was no going back now. Malcolm looked at her strangely.

For half a minute, she regretted it. Should she admit this to him? Ainslee froze, watching carefully, Malcolm's green eyes. Then, he smiled.

"Lass, ye dinnae ken what that means," he buried his head into her hands, making her strangely tense. A deep, powerful tingle took her, seeping its way inside...

Ainslee felt herself surging, thoughts she just could not stop poured in. She needed him badly.

But Malcolm was serious. His green eyes connected with her. "Because I thought o' literally, naething else..."

Then he delivered a deep and lingering kiss, the kind that teased at her, sapping her strength. Ten years had passed, since she had felt his kiss. Or anyone's.

Sighing, Ainslee gave in. Malcolm was in her arms, gently exploring her. His fingers caressed her cheeks, running from her jaw to her eyes, He watched, entranced. Ainslee saw the hunger in his green eyes, it spurred her on. Soon, they were ravenous. Kissing each other with a newfound passion.

Desire pumping through her, her hands caressed him, leading from his chest downwards. Malcolm made no attempt to stop, but simply stood there, his eyes glazing over.

Around them everything was still. The noises of the day subdued, and the only interruptions were the occasional gusts of wind sweeping the village.

"Ainslee, lass, I cannae," he began, his eyes gazing off. Ainslee tugged him hard.

"Ye dinnae have to," she said, kissing him. "I can..."

Tenderly, Ainslee caressed him, bringing Malcolm down to the floor. She had not noticed sitting down, but there they were, side by side, in front of the lowering fire.

They kissed, for what felt like ever, but as their caressing became more intense, Malcolm finally withdrew from her.

"Nae," he said, in a soft voice. Ainslee looked up, as he was buttoning his clothes, reassembling his leine. Blushing, Ainslee had not noticed her hands going underneath it and exploring his satin skin.