Page 55 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

Her eyes snapped to his face.

His storm-grey eyes held hers with an intensity that stole the air from her lungs. And his expression⁠—

God help her, but he knew.

"I didnae mean tae—" Alba started.

"Didnae mean tae what?" He stepped closer. "Watch me train?"

"I wasnae watchin' ye train."

"Nay?" One corner of his mouth lifted. "Then what were ye daein' at that window, lass?"

"Enjoyin' the view of the grounds."

"The grounds." His smile deepened. "That what ye're callin' it now?"

Heat flooded her face. "Ye're bein' insufferable."

"Am I?" He reached up, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.

The movement drew her attention to his forearm—to the way muscles shifted beneath skin, the old scars that marked him, the strength in⁠—

Alba jerked her gaze away.

Lachlann's soft laugh wrapped around her. "Ye're flustered."

"I am nae."

"Yer face is red."

"It's warm in this corridor."

"Is it?" He moved closer still, until barely a foot of space remained between them. "Strange. I find it quite comfortable."

Alba's pulse hammered. "What are ye daein'?"

"Talkin' tae ye." His voice had gone lower, rougher. "Ye’re breathin' fast." His gaze dropped to her throat, where her pulse beat visibly beneath skin. "Heart racin'. Eyes wide." He lifted his hand slowly, giving her time to pull away. "Almost like ye've got a fever."

"I dinnae have a⁠—"

His fingers brushed her cheek.

The words died in Alba's throat.

Lachlann's touch was feather-light, just the backs of his knuckles trailing along her jaw. But it might as well have been fire for how it scorched through her.

"Ye're burnin' up," he murmured.

"I'm—" She couldn't finish. Couldn't think. Could barely breathe.

He moved closer still, his body nearly touching hers. His other hand moved up, fingers sliding into her hair at the base of her skull. The touch sent shivers racing down her spine.

"Tell me," Lachlann said softly. "Are ye flustered because of me?"

Alba's lips parted but no sound came out.

"Because," he continued, his thumb stroking along her jaw, "if ye are, lass, I need tae ken it. Need tae hear ye say it."