Page 11 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

“Aye,” he said.

“In the letter, ye included a poem ye wrote. I…I read it, but…I wanted tae hear ye read it,” she said a little shyly. So far she’d been the bolder one, but for some reason, asking him to read the poem he’d written for her seemed almost too bold. Like she was too eager.

“What…oh. I…dear me, I’m not so good at readin’ aloud,” he said. She noticed how his cheeks reddened just a little at her request. She’d seen him flushed before, after an intense sparring session, but never blush. He was always so calm and collected.

“Oh, please? If ye read half as well as ye write, I…I’m sure it would be magnificent.”

Colin sighed, still blushing, but he took the letter from her anyway.

“Dinnae poke fun at me,” he warned. There was no teasing edge to his tone, and Gemma realized he was serious.

“I would never tease ye about somethin’ so sincere! Please, just read,” she implored, resting her hand on his knee.

His blush deepened. He cleared his throat, then he read the sweet poem.

Her beauty shines like lunar beams,

And casts a spell on all who dream,

Of a beauty that is pure and true,

And glows like moonlight through and through.

As the moon illuminates the night,

So does her beauty shine so bright,

And like the moon, she seems to bring,

A magic that makes the heart sing.

For she is like a full moon fair,

Whose beauty fills the earth and air,

And like the moon that shines above,

Her beauty fills my heart with love.

Gemma clapped when it was done, and he folded up the letter and gave it back to her. The blush was even deeper now; his face was as red as a beet.

“Ye’re talented! It’s so lovely. Do…do ye really think those things?”

“What things?” he asked, cocking his head.

“The moon…and me,” she faltered, suddenly feeling a little silly.

“I’m jokin’ with ye, Gemma. Aye, of course I feel those things. Although I can say with certainty…I think yer a right bit bonnier than the moon.”

His signature confidence was back, at least for a little, and Gemma grinned. She could not help it, he looked so handsome and no one had ever written her a poem comparing her to the moon. It was so sweet that she could not hold back. She leaned forward and kissed him, right there.

Before either of them could really enjoy it, she pulled back, suddenly all too aware that she’d acted improperly.

“Och…sorry, Colin. I dinnae ken what came over me,” she apologized profusely.

“Dinnae apologize,” he said, his voice low and a little husky. “Do it again.”

He did not have to tell her twice. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his, gentler this time. His hand came up to cup her jaw, pulling her closer to him as he deepened the kiss. It was exhilarating, being held and appreciated like this. Sparks began to fly in her stomach when the two of them laid down on the blanket, still kissing through it all.