Then he became aware of everything else, as though every tiny thing sharpened his senses. How small and vulnerable her curves felt against him. The way her fingers fluttered up his chest as though she wasn’t sure if she should be touching him. The way her breath caught then slowly released.
They went still at the same time.
He had no choice. Arousal blew through him so quickly, he nearly ground against her. Her breathing switched pace and while he figured she would push him away, she pressed closer. Wind blew off the loch and swooped over the moat, blowing her hair across his forearm. He closed his eyes and bent his head, inhaling deeply, breathing in her scent while mesmerized by her velvety hair brushing over his skin.
“There you are!” Grant broke through the bliss he was fast sinking into and he pulled away quickly.
Cassie blinked several times, her eyes a little glazed before they swung to Grant. “Athdara!”
Grant smiled at the horse by his side. “I thought you might like to see her again so I brought her out to graze in the field.”
Logan didn’t miss the look Grant shot him as Cassie joined her horse. It was a stern look meant to remind him that he was not meant for a Broun lass but for his betrothed. Logan nodded, frustrated by his own behavior. Though he hadn’t done anything inappropriate, he had wanted to and God knows his desire for Cassie had likely been clear to all. Even so, when Grant urged Cassie to take the line and lead Athdara on, Logan joined them instead of returning to his cousins. In truth, he should be visiting with Rònan and welcoming the MacLeod’s.
“She’s so beautiful,” Cassie said to Grant, her eyes almost childlike as she led the horse.
“Aye, she is.” Grant smiled. “When you’re ready you can release her line. She will follow you anywhere, lass.”
“Really?” Cassie shook her head. “Why?”
“Because she’s your friend,” Logan said softly, admiring her alongside Athdara. They were well suited to one another.
“When will she hear my thoughts?”
Logan smiled at Athdara’s voice in his head and responded in kind. “When the time is right.”
He was still trying to figure out exactly who the horse was. Her voice was soothing and peaceful within his mind, like trickling water in a stream.
“Ye desire Cassie,” Athdara said.
“‘Tis safe to say most lads do,” he responded.
The horse gave no response but seemed quite pleased with the way Cassie released the line and eyed her fondly. “Okay, Athdara, don’t run off now. All right, girl?”
“She needs to stop speaking to me as if I am a dog.”
“She knows nothing of horses,” Logan assured. “Give her time.”
“Dogs are noble creatures too,” Grant cut into their thoughts. “Never forget it.”
“Look, she’s actually staying with me,” Cassie exclaimed, grinning at Logan.
Captivated by the happiness on her face, he tried to respond but could not find the words.
“And she will,” Grant said, covering for him. “Athdara recognizes a good friend when she sees one.”
Cassie shook her head and kept smiling, her attention solely focused on Athdara. “Awesome.”
“Go. Walk with her.” Logan nodded toward the field. “I’ll be at the bonfire if you care to join me after. Have no worries over Athdara. She will always find her way back to the stables.”
Her brows perked. “Really?”
He smiled. “Really.”
Cassie’s eyes held his for a moment before she nodded and walked away with her newfound friend.
Grant said nothing at first as they headed for the fire. Logan greeted many along the way but when he was at last alone with the arch-wizard, he murmured, “I know I cannae have her.”
“‘Tis a thing to want someone we cannae have.” Grant’s eyes met his. “‘Tis more of a thing to walk away from something that could have been ours.”
“Something that I dinnae believe is part of your tale,” Logan murmured, disappointed in himself the moment he said it. Regardless, he knew Grant’s love story and walking away from desire was not part of it.
“Ye think I cannae relate, but ye forget that I was imprisoned fourteen winters when a bairn,” Grant said. “Ye forget that my want had nothing to do with love of a lass at first but love for my kin.” Grant’s frown humbled Logan. “And ye forget that I walked away from my clan and seemingly betrayed them so that I might ultimately save them.”
Before Logan could speak, Grant shook his head sharply. “Ye must always think of yer clan first and foremost, lad. The love of a lass truly meant for ye will find its way to ye no matter what. Meanwhile, ye cannae put at risk yer integrity or yer promise to yer blood, to the MacLomains, do ye ken?”
Logan took a shallow swig from his skin. Even drinking was not something he could overly indulge in. But that was part of his commitment to this clan, as was what Grant implied. And he was right. The moment he became chieftain he took an oath to defend and protect the MacLomains always.
“I will see through my betrothal,” he said softly. “Have no worries.”
“I dinnae doubt ye will, laddie.” Grant squeezed his shoulder. “No doubt at all.”
Logan’s eyes drifted to the fire and while he tried to focus on Grant’s words and how important they were, his thoughts kept wandering to Cassie. How was she faring with Athdara? Were they connecting? He wished he was walking with them and helping her learn more about the beautiful horse that was hers. He already craved her smiles when Athdara warmed her heart. He already craved the sound of her laughter when she realized the horse really was her friend.
Then there were the other thoughts.
Or better yet, just the one.
He wished they were back on the bridge and her body was still pressed against his.
Be better, think better, he said to himself. Yet a small smile came to his lips and his eyes were ensnared when long hours later, or maybe minutes, Cassie and Athdara reappeared. As her eyes met his and a wide smile blossomed on her face, he knew he was doomed. Aye, he was used to women smiling at him, even desiring him, but he wasn’t used to the simple friendship he saw in her eyes. The want of a woman who looked at him because she missed him, because she was glad to lay eyes on him again.
Everything inside let go and muscles he didn’t know were knotted released.
Was this love?
No, far too soon for that. Then again, he knew nothing of love. What did it feel like, look like? He had no way of knowing save what he saw betwixt his parents. What he did know was what he felt beneath the portcullis with Cassie was far beyond anything he’d ever experienced. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was something. Either way, they had formed some sort of connection and it felt like a lifeline.
One he was not allowed.
Cassie was about to speak when a voice boomed, “It took longer than I expected but bloody hell ‘tis good to be home!”
“Darach!” Cassie smiled. “So good to see you here.”
Logan clenched his jaw and started to step forward as she flung her arms around his cousin. Grant’s hand clamped down on his shoulder and his sharp words reminded, “‘Tis never an easy thing to honor yer clan but ye must my lad. Ye must.”
Then Grant said the most damning words. “After all, she’s not meant for ye.”
Chapter Five
“Oh!” Cassie yelped when Darach spun her a few times. She hadn’t expected such an enthusiastic greeting but probably should have known better. He had been fairly obvious about his attraction to her before.
“‘Tis good to see you here, lass.” He smiled and finally held her at arm’s length. “Are you well? ‘Tis no easy thing traveling through time.”
“Actually it was pretty painless. If you leave out the part about being thrust into the middle of a battle. That was terrifying. But I'm doing a lot better now.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe I’m here. I keep feeling like I might wake up from a dream at any momen
t.”
“Nay.” He took her hand and led her toward the bonfire. “There will be no waking up from this because you’re wide awake already.”
Was she really? Because everything still seemed so surreal, especially what she felt in Logan’s arms on the drawbridge. What was that? Her body had responded in unfamiliar ways. Her clothing became too heavy, too constrictive. Every inch of her skin tingled and burned, craving the feel of his flesh against hers. Even now, her heart beat into her throat just looking at him all done up in Highland regalia. So frigging handsome. All she could think about was being back on the bridge and in his arms.
She stepped back when Darach embraced first Grant then Logan.
“‘Tis good to see you, son.” Grant beamed as he eyed Darach. “Did you go back to the castle and see your Ma first? She willnae forgive you otherwise.”
“Nay, not yet.” Darach rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged, eyes meeting Cassie's. “But I dinnae think she will fault me for getting detoured.”
Grant sighed and shook his head.
“How fares the Colonial in New Hampshire?” Logan interrupted, his expression somewhat stern. “And Uncle Bradon and Aunt Leslie?”
“All is well.” Darach received a skin and took a long drag before he continued. “They’re caring for more Broun lasses as they arrive.”
“Is Nicole okay? Does she know where I am?” Lord, she had been so completely entrenched in being introduced to an ancient society and yes, Logan, that she nearly forgot about her friends. “And more Brouns have arrived? Does that mean Erin and Jaqueline are there?”
“Nicole is fine and knows you’re here.” Darach wrapped an arm around her lower back and pulled her against his side. “Jaqueline has arrived but not Erin.”
“How’s Jackie? I mean Jaqueline.” She worried at the corner of her lower lip, overly aware of how affectionate Darach was being. Better yet, the tightness in Logan’s jaw as he watched them. “Has she been filled in on…well…” She looked around. “All that might be heading her way?”
“Aye, your friends will be just fine,” Darach assured. “None will arrive here without plenty of knowledge beforehand.”
“So all of them are definitely coming?” she said softly, happy and worried for them at the same time.
“Aye,” Grant answered for Darach, his eyes shifting between the two young Highlanders. “As they are meant for a MacLomain like the Brouns before them.”
“Oh,” she murmured, wheels spinning. “What MacLomains specifically are they meant for?”
“Those born of the Next Generation,” Grant said. “But ‘tis not for you to worry over, lass.”
“No offense but it sort of is.” Cassie carefully removed herself from Darach’s hold. “Not only because my friends are involved but because I am too.”
All she could think about was Rònan and Niall being meant for one of her friends. Darach? Fine. He was a sweetheart. But the other two? She was not so sure. They were damn intense. As to Logan? Well, he was off the table which made her wonder, why the heck was she here? Because—though she might not want to admit it—the only man that slightly…okay, really, interested her was Logan.
But she was so not a home-wrecker.
And pursuing any man sworn to another woman was close enough.
Yet she had to be sure he wasn’t meant for a Broun anyway. Just to ease her peace of mind for his betrothed that is. “Logan isn’t born of the Next Generation right?” She kept her eyes trained on Grant because she couldn’t believe she was spitting this out with Logan standing right here. “So he doesn’t have to worry about this new Broun/MacLomain connection?”
“Nay,” Logan answered for Grant, drawing her eyes in his direction. “I was part of the Next Generation but a wee bairn at the time they met their lasses.” His expression remained unwavering, but his voice deepened as though he fought emotion. “So I cannae be meant for you or your friends.”
Heat flared beneath her skin. Their eyes held and damn if she wasn’t back on that drawbridge pressed against him, eager for more. Eager to understand the intense pull between them.
“Good,” she whispered but didn’t mean it at all. Not even a little bit. And that bothered the heck out of her.
His pupils flared and for a second she swore he was going to close the distance and pull her into his arms. She swore he was thinking the same thoughts as her. Darach cleared his throat and Logan’s eyes shot to his cousin.
“When precisely is your intended, Aline MacLauchlin, due to arrive?”
So that was her name. Aline MacLauchlin. A pretty name, beautiful actually. A name meant for him. Cassie took a sip from her skin and looked to the fire. Whatever this was between her and Logan needed to stop now.
“In less than a week,” Logan said. “But I’ve decided to go to her on the morrow. ‘Tis dangerous and MacLomain warriors alongside her own will help ensure her safe passage.”
“You’re riding to her?” Darach’s brows perked as his lips turned down. “With how many men, cousin?”
Cassie did not like the look on either Darach or Grant’s faces.
“Enough,” Logan said curtly before he nodded at her. “I wish you a good eve, Cassie. Stay close to either Grant or Darach. They will see you well.”
She started to mumble a response, but he strode off. A little stunned and worried, she looked at Grant. “Is everything all right?”
“Aye.” Grant nodded at Darach before he left as well. “Stay by her side until she is ready to rest or unless Machara happens along.”
“Of course,” he murmured, eyes narrowed as he watched his father go after Logan.
“What was that all about?” she asked. “I get the sense that Logan going to Aline is a bad idea.”
“‘Tis nothing, lass.” Darach shook his head and quickly smoothed away his disgruntled expression. He grabbed her hand and pulled her after him. “Let’s go dance.”
“No.” Cassie braced her feet and stopped him. “Tell me what’s wrong. Please.”
“‘Tis nothing for you—”
“Yes it is,” she interrupted and tried to voice her concern without sounding like she was overly worried about Logan. Because she was. A lot. “If I’m here then that means I have the right to worry about the MacLomain clan and everything to do with it...including its chieftain.”
Hmm, had that sounded vague enough?
Darach eyed her for an awkwardly long moment. Though she thought for sure she had done well with her line of inquisition, he was blunter than she anticipated. “So you’re interested in Logan then?”
It was weird hearing a medieval Highlander phrase things like a twenty-first century guy, but then these MacLomains had the bizarre benefit of understanding two eras at once.
“No,” she said slowly, cautiously. Darn him for pegging her. “I’m worried about the MacLomains.”
A strange look passed over his face. Sadness, concern…determination?
“The MacLomains are strong. Dinnae worry over them.” Compassion lit his eyes. “But many thanks for your concern considering what you’ve been through.”
Cassie nodded, trying to be equally compassionate. “What about your clan, the Hamiltons? Are they okay?”
“I am Hamilton in name only, not by blood.” A flicker of unease entered his eyes. “But aye, the Hamiltons are fine so dinnae fret over that.”
“Okay, sure.” But she wasn’t one to let things go when she was curious. “So you’re not a big fan of the Hamilton clan?”
“Aye, the clan’s fine,” he muttered under his breath as he again pulled her after him. “Its history, not so much.”
She was about to question him further when Rònan approached. Dear God, this guy was overwhelming. If his height, which was a few inches taller than his cousins, and the tattoos wrapped over his muscled chest and arms weren’t enough, his confrontational personality was.
“There you are, lass,” he rumbled.
To make matters worse, Niall was strolling along
side. Not that he had been mean to her in the least, but he was as intimidating as his MacLeod cousin. One thing was for sure, these guys weren’t her cup of tea. And clearly tea had not been their choice of drink tonight based on their rambunctious attitudes.
At least she had Darach with her. He seemed more like Logan.
Darach embraced the men, a wide smile on his face as they laughed and clapped one another on the back. Maybe she was wrong. Maybe they were alike after all. She clenched her teeth and tried to keep her cool, tried not to be silly and act like she was in over her head. They had all grown up together. They were friends. Nobody meant her any harm.
Still, she wished Logan hadn’t vanished.
As if he sensed her distress, Darach returned to her side, his posture protective. “I’m taking Cassie to Machara. ‘Tis best she remains with a lass this eve, aye?”
“Is it?” Niall smiled at her. For the first time since they had met he didn’t devour her with his eyes. “We willnae hurt ye, lass. This I promise.”
“Not so sure I believe that,” she said, cursing her loose tongue. But now that it was said she might as well continue. “You guys kinda freak me out…a lot.”
Rònan frowned. “Freak?”
Darach shook his head. “You’d ken more if you bothered to visit the twenty-first century.”
“It means we frighten her,” Niall provided, doing his best to lose his grin. “And that isnae good.” Then a genuine frown settled on his face, which oddly enough made him look even more handsome. “‘Twas not our intention, lass.”
“It never is,” Machara declared as she joined them. “Ye bunch of bloody arses.”
Rònan spoke to Cassie as he wrapped his arm around Machara’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “I heard you wondered about the Oak out yonder and that I was the lad to tell you more about it.”
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