Page 16 of Scot of Seduction

He still couldn’t speak. He wasn’t even sure he could gather his thoughts. The terror returned to him periodically. It had always been the same ever since he had lost his father that day in the battle.

It’s me fault. Me fault entirely. I shouldnae have let the lad go.

“Here, Tad.” She stood. He didn’t like to let go of her, but he knew he had to. She moved away and returned a second later, taking a towel to him. When he held it only limply in his hands, she snatched it up from his grasp and mopped his face. “Sweaty as anything.” She dried him then pointed to the bed. “Sit there. Ye are as helpless as a bairn.”

“I…” He tried to speak, but it was still too difficult. He did as she told him too, standing and perching on the edge of the bed. When she returned, she sat beside him, pressing what appeared to be a small cup of ale in his hands. He took a sip, trying to calm himself.

“Breathe,” she urged. “Pace yer breathing. It’s like ye have been in battle.”

I have.

He did as she instructed, calming his breath and taking another sip, then he took the towel from her and mopped the back of his neck too. He leaned forward after a minute or so of silence, resting his elbows on his knees.

I lost control in front of her.

“What happened?” She was suddenly in front of him, her gaze meeting his as she kneeled before him.

“Catreena…” he whispered.

“Nay.” She raised her eyebrows. “Dinnae tell me I am too young and naïve tae ken of what terrors haunt ye. I’ve heard enough of what haunts ye and me braithers tae ken something of it.” She inched forward, just a little, but it was enough.

A warmth spread through him like nothing he had ever felt before. She was taking care of him. That simple act of being looked after by another stirred something in him. He could not remember anyone doing that for years. Certainly, no lass had ever done it.

He dropped the towel without thinking and rested his fingers on the back curve of her neck.

“Tad,” she murmured his name, a mere exhale of soft breath, before he brushed his lips against her own.

He was acting on instinct, without thought or words, he just wanted to thank her, to show her how much this simple act, perhaps tiny to her, was quite revolutionary to him.

She didn’t pull back. Her lips were soft, almost curious, then he pushed farther. He placed his lips firmer to hers. It was momentary, it didn’t last, but me God, it was a thrill. That brief second of a fiercer kiss made sparks erupt in his gut, then he jerked himself back.

“Cat… I’m so sorry.” He moved to his feet. He nearly dropped the cup she had given him. He tripped on the towel and somehow steadied himself against the door, putting the cup down as quickly as he could on the window ledge, then turning around to face her wildly.

She now stood straight, staring at him with an expression he could not decipher.

“I’m sorry,” he said again. “I wasnae thinking. I am nae meself. I told ye, I wouldnae –”

“It doesnae matter.” Her voice was shockingly calm compared to his own. He thought by now she would be furious.

“I thought ye would start throwing things at me again.”

“Well, tempting.” She smiled a little. That more than anything else made him soften. He leaned against the door, considering fleeing through it and sitting out in the corridor to guard her after all, like a dog. “Fer the name of the wee man, I can see ye are nae yerself. Get on that bed, Tad.”

“I beg yer pardon?” His eyebrows shot up.

“Tae sleep, ye demon.” She flashed him a half exasperate, half amused look. “If ye try tae escape through that door, ye’ll wake the whole inn up if ye start with that night terror again. Now, bed.” She thrust a finger at the bed.

Astonished, he did as she said. He stumbled toward the bed and lay down, holding his hands over his face, uncertain if he wished to hide from the nightmare or from her and what he had just done.

God, I’m weak.

“Now, move over,” she urged. “If ye wish tae share this bed after all, ye have tae make that tall frame of yers small.”

He smiled weakly as he moved over. For a second, he reeled at the fact that Catreena sat beside him, then he became all too aware of her keen gaze in the candlelight.

“What?” he whispered.

“What did ye see?”