Page 26 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

Feeling like a youngster who didn’t know how to control himself, Darragh shifted in his saddle, trying to ease the pressure, but it only made it worse.

"What is this that is pressing me?" she asked, her voice full of confusion while she shifted around, trying to take a look at the culprit.

"What dae ye mean, lass?" he muttered mortified, feeling his cheeks warming.

God, kill me now!

"There is something poking into me. I can feel it."

"'Tis just me kilt pin, lass," he improvised, his heart sinking. And me growing desire for ye that I dinnae ken how tae control.

"But it feels strange," she observed, groping around for it. He swiftly moved her hand away.

“Nay, lassie, nay," he told her firmly.

“Why not?" she insisted. Knowing he had to come clean, Darragh cleared his throat as he sought the words to explain his predicament.

"'T'is because ye're so beautiful, Lara. I-I cannot help myself," he admitted, full of shame.

"What?" She craned her head to look at him, and by her perplexed expression he guessed he would have to elaborate if he wanted her to grasp the situation. "When… when a man finds a woman attractive, he can become aroused by her presence. Excited. An-and his… ahem… member rises. When ye press yer behind intae me like that, ’tis so arousing, I cannae help but get excited."

Lara’s blush at his confession spoke more than all words in the world ever could. She said nothing to him, and he didn’t know if he should appreciate that or be worried about it. Would she ever feel comfortable around him again? Would she consider him a brute?

She shuffled forward, trying to create some space between them, but it quickly backfired. She leaned too far forward, lost her purchase, and while clinging to the horse’s neck, slid slowly to the ground. Darragh jumped off the horse to help her get up.

"Are ye nae hurt there, Lara?" he inquired, unable to ignore the crimson of her cheeks as he helped her up.

"Nay," she murmured, not meeting his eyes as she dusted herself down.

Darragh's gaze lingered on Lara as she carefully arranged the rolled-up cloak between them. Despite the barrier, he still had to swallow hard, feeling the heat of desire stir within him again.

"Are ye ready?" he asked gruffly, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Of course," Lara replied, evidently happy with her arrangements, for her lips curved into a smile that made Darragh's heart race.

He urged their horse forward once more. The sun cast dappled shadows across the path, and the scent of damp earth and wildflowers filled the air. Yet despite the beauty around them, Darragh could not focus on anything other than the woman beside him.

As they rode, they conversed about various matters, but the underlying tension between them remained palpable.

"Tell me," he finally ventured, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, "why has yer maither nae told ye o' the matters between a man and a woman? Ye are engaged, after all."

Lara hesitated for a moment, her expression clouding over. "She… hasnae been able tae share such things with me," she admitted quietly.

"And why is that?" Darragh pressed, curious.

"Because me maither—" Lara began, but then stopped abruptly, as if realizing she'd said too much. She shook her head.

Darragh's heart ached at the sight of her distress, and he reached out to touch her arm gently. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I didnae mean tae pry."

"Ye dinnae need tae apologize," Lara replied, offering him a small, tremulous smile. "Ye ken, Darragh," she continued suddenly, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "There's something I've been meaning tae tell ye."

"What is it?"

"Me maither died… and she didnae just pass away from illness," Lara confessed, her voice trembling slightly. "She was murdered."

Darragh's heart clenched at her revelation, his grip on the reins tightening unconsciously. "I'm so sorry, Lara," he breathed, his mind racing with questions.

"Thank ye," she replied, her blue eyes glistening. "Me family has always kept the details from me, but I cannae shake the feeling that the truth will come out." She bit her lip, her fingers twisting in their horse's mane. "I'm afraid, Darragh. Afraid of what might happen if it does."