Free Highland Brides 03 - On Bended Knee by Tanya Anne Crosby Page B

anger?
    And when the bloody hell had he ever been so wholly dismissed by a woman in favor of someone else?
    Never.
    And it damned well provoked him.
    He wanted to kiss her, damn it—wanted to see for himself if those lips were as soft and sweet as they appeared. He started out of the loch, moving toward her with purpose.
    He narrowed his gaze at her. “I owe ye aught at all,” he assured her, deciding upon a bargain. “But I’ll tell you, what…”
    The anger in her expression fled at once at his hesitation, and was replaced with a look of such sheer hope that Colin wanted to smile. He didn’t dare, however, because he didn’t want her to think he was the least bit willing in this. She and his conscience were dragging him kicking and screaming all the way.
    Her expression grew wary at his approach, and warier still the nearer he came, but he didn’t waver. He waded through the shallow water with purpose, never releasing her gaze. He had been about to say that he’d take her to his sister, that Meghan would help her, because he could not, but the words that came out of his mouth surprised even him.
    “I’ll do it for a kiss,” he said.
    She stilled, peering at him as though she didn’t quite believe her ears. Her face screwed with what seemed to be confusion, and mayhap a little aversion, when she decided she had, in fact, heard him aright. “A kiss?”
    “A kiss,” Colin affirmed. “A simple kiss.”
    She sat dumbfounded, watching his approach. He swam toward her, and she cocked her head at him as he lifted his head once more, looking beautifully bewildered still.
    “I dinna want your spirits,” he declared, suddenly resolved in his decision. “You can keep the recipe. A kiss is all I want for my payment, or we have no bargain at all!”
    If she truly loved Broc, he would know by her kiss. A woman’s mouth did not lie, nor did the beat of her heart beneath his hand. And if she did not love Broc… well, he would know it.
    And he would spare her no mercy.
    She shrugged, and seemed momentarily unable to speak. She blinked then and said after an instant more, “Verra well… a… a kiss…”
    “To seal the bargain,” he assured her, and propelled himself toward the bank with new purpose.
    She sat upon the grass, watching him still.
    He rose up out of the water suddenly, standing in the shallows in all his full glory.
    She gave a little startled cry.
    Colin smiled at her reaction.
    She leapt up at once, eyes wide. “Sweet mother of Jesus, I have to go!” she declared. “I forgot something verra verra important!” She turned to go, but not before taking another long flustered glance in his direction.
    Colin couldn’t help himself. He grinned. “What about my kiss?” he asked shamelessly, and made no move to cover himself.
    She stopped and turned to him, but took great pains not to look below his shoulders this time. “Och,” she exclaimed, “well… I… I would you see… but I have to… I have to—check the uisge ! Yes, that’s right!” she declared, and nodded vigorously. She turned and fled, calling out as she ran, “I’ll kiss you next time! Have to go! Bye!”
    Colin watched her go, and his grin turned as wicked as his thoughts as she disappeared into the forest.
    He chuckled, quite satisfied.
    So… she wasn’t so immune to him as she would like to think, and the discovery pleased him immensely.
     
    Seana didn’t stop running until she reached the clearing near the ancient cairn where she and her da made their home.
    Out of breath now, she leaned against a fallen pillar, panting softly.
    These hills were spattered with the remnants of their ancestors, and their presence was tangible in the almost magical beauty of the land of her birth. Here, hidden in the deepest heart of the highlands, Seana could almost feel their spirits. She could almost believe in their magic. She could almost see them dancing in the blanket of mist that fell with night.
    Though she had made her bed upon the