Page 54 of A Dangerous Highland Affair

“And I am too, madam,” said Neacal, graciously, bowing his head slightly towards the woman. His smile extended to the very edges of his cheeks, bringing her into his grin almost conspiratorially.

“Dinnae be a dafty, there’s noo rank or ceremony here,” said the woman. Then she said simply. “An’ I’m Lizzie, nae madam!”

Damping down her feelings as best as she could, Teasag smiled politely and extended her hand to the women's leader.

However, her heart was pounding as loudly as a drum, a combination of the rich food and intoxicating wine she had been given. Without warning, the orange-tinged room began to sway around her.

All the sounds in the cottage swirled about, creating a mélange of noise in her head. Then, she felt a cold presence on her left shoulder.

When she looked up, she felt Neacal’s smooth touch pressed into her skin. His cool tones cut into her head.

“Are ye alright, lass?” he asked in concern.

“I need some air,” said Teasag, suddenly grabbing his hand and pulling him to the door.

“Are ye alright, lass?”

Neacal’s breathless voice sounded concerned as he followed her to the front of the house.

But Teasag had already run outside and sat on a log, not far from the cottage's entrance.

Instantly, the chill evening skies hit her, bringing a lick of the moist air still trapped in the clouds overhead.

Immediately, Teasag shivered. It wasn’t raining yet, but in the Highlands, this was only a matter of time. However, the cool breeze racing around her shoulders was yet to penetrate deep within.

“Teasag, are ye feeling alright, lassie?” asked Neacal, his soft eyes shining in the dusky rose light of the disappearing sun.

Looking around at the vibrant colored sky, Teasag realized that they had been inside for far longer than she had realized. Now, it was dark, and it began to dawn on her that she was trapped in this place, with only Neacal for company.

“Teasag?” ventured Neacal again. He brought his hand over to her hair and ruffled it.

An immediate tingling sensation worked its way across Teasag’s shoulders, extending down to the base of her spine. It got her every time. Neacal’s fingers caressed and cajoled her, enticing her into his touch.

Teasag could not help but tilt her head up against his strong fingers as he stroked and nuzzled her softly, making her senses want to scream out for more.

However, Teasag’s mind fought back. Inside she was broiling with indignation.

“Nae,” she said smoothly. She didn’t bring her eyes to look at him; it would only weaken her resolve. Instead, she sat with her arms folded as the pair of them settled on the space in front of the woodland cabin, looking out to the rows of other, identical low houses squatting between the stray trees.

Then she looked at Neacal directly. “But I will be when ye tell me the truth about this place,” she said, coolly, before casting her gaze away again.

Or trying to. Because Neacal brought his hand over to hers and secured it in his firm grip.

“Truth, what truth?” he quipped, with an attempt at making fun of her. He glanced at her sideways, which was designed to make her smirk, but instead, Teasag viewed him blankly.

“I mean the truth about what is going on here, who ye are an’ what yer life is,” she said, a matter of factly.

Then, with a faltering breath, she looked over to Neacal, fervently wishing at that moment that he would come out with some fantastic explanation for this remote community in the middle of nowhere.

But if Teasag was looking for the truth, then she was out of luck. Instead of baring all, Neacal opted for flat out denial.

“What do ye mean, what my life is?” he asked, innocently. The charm that danced on in his taupe blue eyes was almost enough to stymie her doubts.

Then, Neacal held her tightly, bringing his smooth arms around her pale shoulders and collecting her in his warmth.

The blood fizzled through Teasag’s veins. How she wished she could remain here, cupped, and safe in his arms. When Neacal held her like this, it was so tempting to believe that everything would be alright.

All she wanted to do was to stay here, with him like this. And as the pinkening sun lowered itself over the darkening forest, part of her wondered about staying here, forever, and making a home with Neacal in one of the higgledy-piggledy forest houses.