Free Jake (The Highland Clan Book 4) by Keira Montclair Page A

this eve.”
    “Then you must lean against me, and I promise to keep you warm.”
    Though she did not reply in words, she moved closer to him. “Jake, your castle is the biggest I’ve ever seen.”
    They moved through the bailey, and Jake pointed out various buildings: the armorer, the carpenter, the baker, the weaver, the smithy. Aline was in awe of all of them. When they came to the chapel, she stopped in front. “May I go in?”
    “Of course. We do not have a priest in residence, but our traveling priests oft visit us, and when they come, they stay for at least a fortnight or two. My mother loves to have them visit.”
    Aline ran her finger across the worn wood. “Jake, ‘tis most beautiful.”
    “May I ask you something since we can talk in private?”
    “Of course.”
    He leaned closer to her and ran the backs of his fingers across her cheek. “You are healing well.”
    She laughed. “I do not look like a multi-colored dolt?”
    “Nay. Never a dolt. You are quite beautiful now that I can see you through your wounds. I wish to make a suggestion, though I know your tendency will be to shut me out. Will you listen anyway?”
    “Aye. I shall listen.”
    His hand dropped down to clutch hers. “Here is my question for you. Why do you not take me with you?”
    Her hand jerked back. “I cannot.”
    “Please listen. Take me with you, and I will help you. Whatever loved ones are there at the keep, I will help you locate and release them. I will fight Hew Gordon myself. I’ll take my closest friend Magnus and my brother Jamie with me, and we’ll put an end to your pain. Why put yourself in his hands again?”
    “I cannot explain, but he said if I ever tell, he’ll make me pay, more than he ever has before. If you go back with me, I know not what he’ll do—or who he will take his anger out on, but you can be certain he will retaliate.”
    Jake would do his best to convince her. His sire and his guards could put an end to this situation quickly. “The man is a menace. He needs to be sent elsewhere. We do not want his kind in the Highlands. One word from you, and my sire will send two hundred warriors in to take over.”
    “But then those who are there would get hurt. My friend Effie is there, and…”
    “And?”
    “And others. Jake, please.”
    A tear slid down her cheek and he kissed her, tasting the saltiness of her tear. “I wish to rid you of your sadness and your fears. I wish to give us a chance. Mayhap there is something between us. I like you, Aline. Would you not like to explore this more?”
    He kissed her hard on the lips, probably too hard for the cuts, but she did not wince or pull back. This might be his only chance to convince her. Or to touch her. He devoured her, running his hands down her back and cupping her bottom, his fingers sinking into her flesh, thoughts of her soft globes in his hands making him hard in a moment.
    She moaned and he lost all sense, kissing her neck, and then the top of her breast, the only part above her mantle. He moved the coarse fabric of the outer coat aside and cupped her breast through the thin material of her gown, kissing the top of the perfectly formed mound. She moaned, the slight sound giving him a sense of satisfaction that he was right. They did belong together. “Do you not want to see what we can be?”
    She moaned again, but then stilled his hand, restoring her mantle to its proper place. She peered up at him and said, “I do, but you do not understand what an impossible situation it is.”
    Jake sighed, accepting what she said. She was absolutely correct. He did not understand her reasoning at all.
    “Jake, I’d like to say a prayer if you do not mind.”
    He stepped back, allowing her to kneel while he moved to the back of the chapel, rubbing his eyes in frustration. “What are you praying for?”
    She glanced at him over her shoulder. “A miracle.”
    A few minutes later, they returned to the great hall, though they had little to say to