Page 12 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

Gemma’s fingers flew to her bodice, and she began to unlace it quickly. Colin too began to take off his jacket, and he laid down next to her, kissing her face and her neck.

“Colin,” she breathed as he kissed the hollow of her throat.

Suddenly…his eyes shot open, and he stopped, sitting up abruptly.

“Colin, what is it?” she asked, following his lead and also sitting up. “Is everything alright?”

He swallowed thickly. She could see his Adam’s apple bob in the faint light.

“Are ye…ye sure ye want this? With me?” he asked. There was so much sincerity in his eyes, it made her feel a little guilty. There she was, ready to give herself to him, and still he thought of her honor and comfort.

“Aye, of course! What would make ye think otherwise?”

Colin cleared his throat awkwardly, running a hand through his reddish locks.

“I…I dinnae ken if there was another lad ye’d rather be with.”

The admission was shocking to Gemma. Had she not known him better, she might have slapped him.

“Colin Frazier, are ye suggesting that I’m some kind of…hussy?!” she nearly shouted, indignant.

“Nay, nay! I wouldnae think that of ye. I just…yer a bonny lass. Ye could have anyone of yer choosing.”

“I appreciate that, but I choose you,” she said emphatically. “Really, Colin, what prompted this?”

“Erm…well. Yer name came up taeday durin’ the hunt.”

Gemma’s heart thumped loud and slow in her chest. She knew that men discussed the women that they found attractive. Women did the same thing too — at quilting bees and in the kitchens, a lot of the talk centered around the men in their lives.

“In a good way or a bad way?” she asked.

“I still dinnae ken. But erm…Bryce mentioned yer name. Spoke highly of ye. An’ said…he might pursue ye.”

Gemma sighed and traced a little design in the sand with her fingertip.

“If that is the case, I wouldnae think much of it. Bryce is an honorable man, Colin. He would not betray ye, his friend, if he kent that ye an’ I are together.”

“I dinnae ken about that,” Colin said warily. “He’s the son of the laird. His privileges are different than ours.”

“But if it is a matter of love, I dinnae think he would do anythin’ tae dash it. There are other lasses. He can choose any of them. He willnae have me, because I’m yers,” she said, reaching out and holding his hand. She squeezed it lovingly in reassurance.

“Really, Gemma, if ye’d be happier with a laird, or anyone else, I would understand. All I want is for ye tae be happy.”

“Don’t say such things, Colin. Ye are kind, worthy an’ brave. Bryce is a fine lad, to be sure, but we dinnae have the same connection ye an’ I have. I think…I’ve loved ye ever since ye captured me that day in the courtyard,” she admitted, trying to put a little humor back into this very serious conversation.

“Oh, so the lady likes a villain, then?” he teased.

She giggled. “Ye are not a villain and ye never could be.”

“I’m glad tae hear ye say these things. I…I always worried my affections wouldnae be returned,” he admitted sheepishly.

“Well, worry no more. ‘Tis just you an’ I here. Kiss me an’ let’s be done with this,” she asked.

Clearly, he needed no further urging. They laid back down on the blanket again, kissing gently and passionately. The warmth of Colin’s large frame felt wonderful against her own. It wasn’t at all stifling, despite his height and mass. He was gentle and moved around her carefully as if she were made of glass. His hand came up to rest on her unlaced bosom, squeezing at the soft flesh there, and she nearly purred in adoration. If this was what love truly felt like, there was nowhere else she’d rather be.

The only one who could stand in the way of their love would be her.