Free The Craving (Rogues of Scotland #1) by Donna Grant

happened. Meg was given a hard lesson of life, and because of it, she’ll spend the rest of her life here.”
    Ronan lifted his head and faced Tilly. “You’re going to allow her to remain here?”
    “I’ve already spoken to my son. His main concern is his clan, as it should be, but this is a holding of the Alpins. We don’t want it to fall into the wrong hands.”
    “You need to let Meg know.”
    “That’s part of the reason I’m here. The other part was to make sure she found your mirror.”
    Ronan ran a hand through his hair. “She thinks I’m beholden to her for releasing me. She thinks that’s why I...spend my time with her.”
    “I know exactly what you two have done. I shouldn’t condone it, but Meg needed what you’ve given her, Ronan. And I think you needed what she has given you.”
    He wasn’t sure what to say, so he remained silent. While his imprisonment had changed him, it hadn’t changed his view of women. Meg had done that all on her own. She had also wormed her way into his soul, embedding herself there so that no other woman would ever compare.
    “You told Meg of your view on women. I know I factored into that as well, because I told you that I would keep you free, and then sent you back. Do you view Meg in the same light as other women?” Tilly asked.
    “Never. Meg is...different. She could have done a great many things to get me to do whatever it was she wanted in return for staying out of the mirror. But she didna.”
    “Are you beholden to her?”
    “She let me out. Fed me, conversed with me, and told me she would never send me back. Of course I’m beholden to her. Just no’ in the way she thinks.”
    Tilly’s astute blue eyes narrowed on him. “And you taking her innocence? Was that your way of thanking her?”
    If he answered honestly, Ronan could very well find himself back in the mirror because he was talking to Meg’s aunt. Yet there was no other choice.
    “Part of my punishment from Ilinca was a constant, aching need that only another’s touch could relieve. When I fell out of that mirror I wanted three things. The sun, a goblet of ale, and a woman. And no’ necessarily in that order.”
    “So you used my niece?”
    “I wanted her, aye. It was a yearning clawing at me, persistent and ever present. Her easy smile, her guileless gray eyes, and her sweet voice. That first night I went looking to ease myself on a willing woman. I found one, but I couldna go through with it. I kept thinking of Meg. What happened between us wasn’t planned. I might have wanted her, but I wasn’t going to use Meg in that way.”
    Tilly’s white head cocked to the side. “Interesting. Would you say you care about her?”
    Panic set in. Was Tilly cornering him into marriage? As much as he didn’t want to hurt Meg, he wouldn’t be forced. “I care about my freedom.”
    “I’m not talking marriage,” Tilly said angrily. “I’m merely asking if you care about my niece. Even if I wanted you two together, that’s not my decision to make.”
    Ronan swallowed. Did he care about Meg? Caring meant the woman had some measure of control over him. He refused to turn out like his father.
    Even as he opened his mouth to say no, he remembered his last conversation with Meg. She had cried no tears, nor had she tried to wring any promises from him. She had simply walked away.
    The feeling was...crushing. He wanted to go to her and shake her. Just before he kissed her. 
    “I know that look,” Tilly said with a slight smile that would normally have set him on edge. “You do care for her, but you don’t want to admit it. She’s ready to give you up, Ronan. Are you ready to let her go?”
    “Nay.”
    The word burst from him. He wasn’t done with Meg – wasn’t done kissing her, touching her...knowing her. 
    By the saints, how had he come to this? How had he fallen for an auburn haired beauty without even knowing it? More importantly, what did he do about it?
    “Have you ever loved,