Page 99 of The Laird’s Sinful Obsession

The library door swung open with a loud creak.

"Alba, I was wonderin' if ye⁠—"

The sudden sound made her jump. Her foot slipped on the narrow stool, her arms windmilling as gravity took over and she pitched sideways.

Strong hands caught her under the arms, stopping her fall.

Alba found herself pressed against Lachlann's chest, his arms wrapped around her waist, their faces so close she could see the flecks of darker grey in his eyes. Her hands had instinctively grabbed his shoulders for balance, and now they were frozen there, caught in the sudden intimacy of the position.

"Careful," Lachlann murmured, his breath warm against her face. "These floors are hard. I'd hate to see ye damage that stubborn head of yers."

"I—" Alba's face burned hot enough to rival the sun. "I was perfectly fine before ye startled me."

"Ye were about tae fall and break yer neck." His mouth curved slightly, though his arms didn't loosen their hold. "But aye, blame me fer yer poor balance."

"It's nae poor balance. It's perfectly reasonable surprise at someone burstin' through the door without warnin'."

"I knocked."

"Ye did nae."

"I did. Ye just didnae hear it because ye were too focused on whatever ye were reachin' fer." Lachlann's gaze shifted to the shelf above them. "Which is...?"

He released her with obvious reluctance, stepping back just enough to let her breathe while still staying close enough to catch her if she swayed.

Alba straightened her skirts with trembling hands, acutely aware of how her heart was racing. "A scroll. About Highland history. Orla mentioned it and I thought—" She stopped, realizing she was rambling. "I thought it might be interestin’."

"The Chronicles of Loch Eilein?" Lachlann reached up easily, curse his height, and pulled down the scroll she'd been struggling for. "This one?"

"Aye." Alba took it from him, their fingers brushing in the exchange. "Thank ye."

"It's one of me favorites." Lachlann moved to lean against the table, arms crossed, watching her with undisguised amusement. "Has accounts of the battle that formed the Covenant. Some of it's probably exaggerated, ye ken how these things grow with each tellin', but the core of it is true."

Alba clutched the scroll to her chest, still trying to calm her racing pulse. "Ye've read it then?"

"Multiple times. Me faither used to read it to me when I was a lad. Said it was important tae remember where we came from. What we'd survived." His expression softened with memory. "Some of the passages I practically have memorized."

"Would ye—" Alba stopped, suddenly shy. "Would ye have time tae read some of it tae me?"

Lachlann's eyes showed something that looked like regret. "I wish I could, lass. But I've got a council meetin' that's about tae begin."

Disappointment flooded through Alba's chest. "Oh. Of course."

"But tomorrow." Lachlann pushed off the table, moving closer again. "Tomorrow I'm takin' ye somewhere special. Just the two of us. And I promise we'll have all the time ye want fer readin' and... other things."

Alba's breath caught at the way he said other things, low and rough and full of promise.

"Where are we goin'?"

"That's a surprise." His hand came up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "But ye'll like it. I promise."

"Ye're very free with yer promises lately."

"Only because I intend tae keep every single one of them." His thumb traced the shell of her ear, making her shiver. "Trust me?"

"Aye." The answer came without hesitation. "I dae."

Something fierce and warm flashed in Lachlann's eyes. For a moment, Alba thought he might kiss her right there in the library, propriety be damned.