Page 64 of Highland Storm

“I didna kill her,” he said, a dark shadow washing over his face.

“That’s what yer mathair said. Tell me, how did it happen?” asked Phoebe, scooting closer to him.

“I am no’ exactly sure. We were on a huntin’ trip. I separated from Osla when I thought I heard a deer in the woods. I was usin’ a bow and arrows. I missed the deer and my arrow went astray. And when I returned, one of my arrows was stickin’ out of her back. One of the MacNabs pulled it out and tested for signs of life, but she was already dead. I was one MacKeefe huntin’ with the MacNab Clan at the time. Of course, when they saw what happened, I was blamed and the feud continued.”

“Oh, that’s awful.” Phoebe held her stomach, not wanting to think of her cousin dying such a horrible death.

“It was my fault in a way.”

“I thought ye just said it wasna.”

“I didna kill her, but I failed to protect her. So, I am to blame for Osla’s death after all.”

“Nay, that’s no’ true. It sounds to me as if ye were set up. By one of the MacNabs, no doubt. Were Euan and Lennox along on the hunt, too?”

“I didna ken them at the time, but I do now. Aye, they were there, and Euan was the one who wouldna let me near my dead wife.”

“I’m sure they must have killed her.”

“I have my suspicions that it might be true. But how am I supposed to prove Osla didna die by one of my stray arrows?”

“I dinna ken, Hawke. I am sorry.” Phoebe noticed islands far out on the water. “Is one of those the Isle of Kerrera?”

“Aye,” he answered. “The one in the middle. But dinna even think about goin’ there.”

“Why no’?” she asked. “It is the only place to get the Common Centaury and Hart’s Tongue that I need to heal my faither.”

“The island is haunted. No one goes there unless they want to be cursed.” He started to turn the boat around.

“I didna think ye’d be afraid of a superstition.”

He looked at her and his eyes settled on her lips. “I’m no’. And to address what ye said earlier, Phoebe, I’ve never had anyone say they loved me before.”

“Really?” She moved closer and reached over and kissed him on the mouth. “I dinna ken why no’. After all, ye are attractive, a mighty warrior, and . . . guid at makin’ love.” Just thinking of when they made love had Phoebe’s mind going in several different directions. She couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d cried out in elation, not once, but twice that night.

“Just . . . guid? That’s it?” he asked playfully, sitting next to her and pulling her into his arms.

“I suppose . . . great would be what I meant to say,” she answered with a giggle.

“Ye hesitated.” He reached out and trailed his hand down her cheek. “That tells me ye werena sure.” His fingers moved lower, brushing against her collarbone and grazing over her breast. Then with one fingertip, he encircled one of her nipples, right through her clothes. Phoebe inhaled, feeling a delicious shiver run through her.

“I suppose . . . practice makes perfect?” she teased him, putting her hand on his bare leg and pushing up under his plaid and between his thighs. When her hand touched his erection, she almost jumped, realizing he wore no braies. “Hawke, dinna ye wear braies under yer plaid?”

“No’ always. Does it excite ye?”

She wrapped her hand around his hardened form and squeezed lightly. Now it was his turn to gasp. His body stiffened and he closed his eyes partially.

“Och, aye, it excites me,” she told him, pushing up his plaid to gaze upon his aroused form. Then, throwing caution to the wind, she did something she’d heard the other women of the clan talking about that men supposedly loved. She never thought she’d try this, but something made her do it. She bent down and placed her mouth on him.

“Bid the devil!” he cried out, pushing his knees apart, holding on to her head. “Phoebe, if ye keep that up, I’ll be finished before ye begin.”

“Dinna ye like it?” She looked up and smiled.

“Too much,” he told her, pulling her up to a standing position, slipping his hands under her skirt and pulling down her braies. She stepped out of them, holding on to his shoulders. He pushed up her gown and pulled it off over her head.

“Hawke! I’m naked. Someone might see us. Did ye forget we’re on a boat in the middle of the water?”

“Nay, I didna forget. And dinna worry, there is no one around. Do ye want to make love on the water, Phoebe? Would that excite ye?”