Page 71 of Under the Laird’s Promise

But he couldn't stop touching her. Couldn't let go.

The terror that had gripped him when that mercenary had reached for her was still pounding through his system, demanding proof that she was whole. Safe. There.

"Tavish." Maighread's voice carried a breathless quality now. "I promise ye, I'm fine. Nae a scratch."

His hands stilled on her waist, his forehead nearly touching hers. "I saw him reach fer ye."

"I ken."

"If I hadn't gotten there in time⁠—"

"But ye did." Her hands came up to rest on his chest, steadying them both. "Ye got there in time."

"Barely." The word came out rough, scraped raw. "Another second and he would've had ye."

"He didn't."

Tavish's grip tightened on her waist. The rational part of his mind knew he should release her, step back, restore some semblance of propriety. But the part of him that had just watched a stranger try to steal her away refused to let go.

She was alive. Unharmed.

Because he'd been fast enough. This time.

"Ye ken," Maighread said, and he could hear the smile in her voice even before he looked at her face, "I thought ye werenae going tae touch me again. Nae unless I begged."

The absurdity of it hit him all at once. There they stood, surrounded by corpses and blood-soaked earth, and she was making jokes about their bloody rules. A laugh burst from his chest, sharp with relief and something bordering on hysteria.

"Och, lass." He pulled her closer, his hands still spanning her waist. "I'll always make sure ye're safe. Whether ye want it or nae. Whether ye beg or nae. That's nae negotiable."

"Is that so?"

"Aye. Ye can hate me fer it if ye like. Ye can scold me fer breaking our agreement. But I'll be damned if I let anything happen tae ye because I was too concerned about some foolish rule we made."

Her eyes searched his face, softer than he'd ever seen them. "I dinnae hate ye fer it."

"Nay?"

"Nay." Her hands slid up from his chest to his shoulders, her touch gentle where his had been frantic. "Ye saved me life, Tavish. Again. I think I'm allowed tae be grateful instead of annoyed."

"Grateful enough tae fergive me fer pawing at ye so thoroughly?"

"Ye weren't pawing. Ye were checking fer injuries." A hint of mischief crept into her expression. "Though I'll admit yer methods were… thorough."

"I had tae be certain."

"I noticed." Her thumb traced the line of his collarbone through his shirt. "Yer hands were everywhere."

"I needed tae ken ye were safe."

"And now ye dae."

"Aye." But he still didn't release her. Couldn't seem tae make his hands let go. "Now I dae."

They stood there, breathing unevenly, very close. The battle had left them both shaken, stripped away the careful distance they'd been maintaining since the tavern. Without it, the truth blazed between them, undeniable.

He wanted her. Not just physically, though that hunger burned hot enough to consume him. He wanted to keep her safe. To stand between her and every threat. To be the one she turned to when the world became too much.

And from the way she was looking at him, her pupils dilated and her lips parted, she wanted him too.