Jack went into the stables and brought out two horses. He handed her the reins to one, and their fingers brushed against each other’s.
His breath hitched in his throat, but he pushed back the tingles that sprang free again and mounted his saddle first.
“Let’s see if ye can win this ride,” he challenged after she did the same, and they both set out into the moors with the same speed.
The ride was enjoyable. Jack enjoyed the breeze on his hair, and the breezy affect her laughter had as it mingled in the air. They rode for a long time until they reached the cliff surrounding his land, then they dismounted, and he took her hand in his.
“Do ye ever wish to see what it will be like down there?” she asked as she stared at the faraway Lowlands ahead. “It looks so beautiful.”
“It is bonnie,” he replied, then linked their fingers and lifted it so he could kiss each one of hers. His body was swimming with need for her. Each passing day, his desire grew, and it was difficult to stay away.
He had to constantly remind himself of all the reasons why they could not be together. Those reasons seemed less important now that he was with her and enjoying the light scent of roses that always clung to her.
“I wish I could have come here with my parents. My mother especially… she would have loved Scotland so much.”
“This era of Scotland?” he asked, and she nodded.
“She loved history, and I shared the passion with her. My father was busier with his business than anything else, but whenever he was around, he enjoyed talking with us about the topic too. My parents did not love each other, but they grew fond of each other in the end and found common ground.”
“Mine is the exact opposite,” he told her. “They could never find common ground. My faither preferred his wars and battles to anythin’ else while my maither just loved to help people. The villagers loved her deeply.”
“They love ye too,” she replied and looked at him. “Ye make a fine laird.”
He was quiet for some time before he asked, “What happens if ye dinnae return to yer time? Would it be so wrong if ye stayed here instead?”
His question must have surprised Isla because she simply stared at him for a long time without blinking. Jack took both her hands and waited for her to speak, but when she didn’t, he continued, “Ye heard the gypsy… if ye return to yer time then ye will die.”
“If I stay here I still have the same fate… I dinnae believe what the like of that woman says,” she answered. “This isnae where I belong, Jack, regardless of—” she stopped, and he wondered what she was going to say next.
“Regardless of what feelings we might have because they will pass, and when they do, what if I am not at peace here? Will your people ever truly accept me as their own?”
“If ye remain here, then I can protect ye,” he continued, hoping he could convince her to change her mind and stay instead. “The thought of yer getting hurt Isla… I dinnae want to ever think about that.”
Their gazes lingered and this time Jack was tempted to do more than just kiss her. They were alone at the cliff, and he could indulge in more than a few kisses.
He wanted to know what it would feel like to slide his hands under her earasaid and past the garters she wore so he could touch her moist core.
Jack shivered and tried to control his lustful thoughts. The back of his neck burned, and when a crimson color appeared on her cheeks, he wondered if she felt the same stroke of heat in the air.
The breeze ruffled her hair, and he reached out to tuck some stands behind her ear and smoothed the scattered tendrils down.
Jack couldn’t resist the final urge that came, so he leaned down and tasted her lips. It was a very brief kiss. The contact made his nerves squeeze with high desire. He knew if he continued, then he would take her right there and he didn’t want that.
“I wish I could stay,” she said, and he could tell that she was torn. “I do love it here in Scotland.”
Jack sighed. It was her choice in the end, and he could never force her to decide otherwise.
All I care for is that she is happy.
“We should head back to the Castle,” he suggested as he struggled with his urges.
Isla stared deep into his eyes, then she raised herself on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his for a gentle kiss.
A tiny growl left his lips when she pulled back. “I’m tryin’ my best here, Isla… I dinnae want to—”
“To what?” she asked in a sultry tone when he did not finish his sentence.
“To ravish ye,” he answered in a thunderous voice, then pulled her closer to him and nuzzled his cheek over the side of her neck. Her scent filled his nostrils, he released another loud growl and pressed his lips to her cheek instead of her lips.