Page 6 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

Evidently, the strain in her voice and the tiredness of her eyes were convincing enough.

“Of course, wee dove. But be careful. Ye dinnae ken which unsavory men are roamin’ the halls now.”

She promised to be careful, but her mother’s warning set her teeth on edge. A happy, drunk Scotsman was strong enough, but an angry drunk Scotsman was even stronger. Gemma promised to keep to the walls and avoid their gazes. She didn’t even really know where she was going, she just felt…stifled. Every young lass’s giggles about marriage, all the flirtations, all the niceties she had to pay began to weigh on her.

So lost in thought was she that she hardly realized when she bumped into someone.

“Och, sorry, I didnae mean tae—oh, Colin,” she realized mid-ramble.

“Steady yerself, lassie. Where are ye off to in such a hurry?”

“I…I’m not sure. Just needed tae get away,” she explained, quite embarrassed that she’d physically run into him. He did not seem to be angry with her, so that was good.

“Why? Is someone botherin’ ye?” he asked, his eyes flashing with anger, ready to be unleashed at any moment.

“Nay, ‘tis not like that. I’m simply…I need tae breathe. Too many people, too many words.”

“I understand,” Colin said, his eyes softening. It was incredible how he could conjure up emotions so quickly; Gemma decided she rather liked that about him.

“I cannae imagine how Master MacNeill feels,” Gemma commented.

Colin raised an eyebrow, evidently wondering why the conversation had turned so quickly to his friend.

“What can ye mean?”

“I mean that…he has tae speak to so many people an’ smile all the time. How does he manage it?”

Colin shrugged. “I think he enjoys it.”

“Oh, aye?”

“Aye. He prefers tae be in the light where all can see him.”

Gemma detected a hint of bitterness in that statement, but she didn’t push it.

“An’ ye? Where d’ye prefer tae be?”

“I prefer tae be wherever ye are, Gemma,” he said in a voice as smooth as honey.

She’d come out there to breathe, but ironically, couldn’t find her breath as Colin moved closer and took her face in his hands. There was nothing more to say as she gazed into his beautiful dark emerald eyes, which drifted down to her lips. She nodded briefly, and then his lips met hers in the softest and sweetest of kisses. It was unobtrusive and comforting, like a warm sunny day. Unfortunately for both of them, it was over shortly after it began. Voices sounded in the corridor not too far away, and they broke apart.

“Anyone could have seen us,” Gemma said, a little lightheaded after the interaction.

“I ken, but it was worth it,” he said with a smile.

“Aye,” she breathed.

“I have tae go. Come find me again,” he asked.

All she could do was nod as she watched him stride down the hallway, the very picture of confidence.

Had that really just happened? She touched her fingers to her lips as if to confirm that they felt different. Aye, she would need a few more moments to collect herself before getting back to the feast.