Page 20 of Forbidden Kilted Highlander

She glanced at him. He wasn’t looking at her. Just staring out at the night, his jaw tight.

“What would ye have chosen?” she asked, the words barely a whisper.

He shrugged. “I dinnae ken. I’m nae a man made fer imaginin’, wishin’, Agnes. Fer softness.”

“I think that’s nae true,” she said, before she could stop herself. “I think... I’ve seen ye be gentle. Like with… Fia. I think ye are soft, deep down.”

His gaze cut to her, sharp and startled, making her heart thud wildly in her chest. The two sat in silence, time passing faster than they both expected.

“It’s time,” he finally said, gently.

Agnes nodded, her throat tight. “Aye.”

She stood, brushing the straw from her skirts. Tav moved to check the horses, saddling them with practiced ease. There was a quiet rhythm to it, to the way he moved.

She watched him for a moment, her chest aching. And when he turned to hand her the reins of her mare, his hand brushed hers just a little. Her breath caught. And she wondered if he’d felt it too.

“Ready?” he asked.

Nay. Nae even close.

But she nodded. “I am.”