Jack thought he saw a smile on her lips, but when he blinked and looked again, it wasn’t there. She was simply staring at him with wide eyes, and an expression that he read as fear.
5
Isla tried to control the heavy pounding of her heart as she walked beside Jack Lyons in silence. All of this was still unbelievable to her. How could she be in 1650?
She still refused to accept it was real until they reached the market and she saw the reality for herself. The nearby neigh of a horse made Isla jump in shock and surprise, and she grabbed Jack’s arm spontaneously to shield herself.
The rider on the horse simply galloped past them. Isla swallowed hard and when she looked up she found Jack regarding her closely. “Never seen a horse?” he asked her in a gruff tone.
She nodded once, then slowly released his hand. “This is insane. I don’t understand it.”
“Imagine what I feel like after all ye have told me,” he replied before he continued walking ahead again. Isla admired his tall build for a second because she couldn’t help herself.
His shoulders were broad; if they hugged he would completely envelope her. The thought of touching his chest crossed her mind, but she pushed it away quickly and shook her head.
I barely even know the man.How could she crave such body contact?
Her gaze drifted down his back. He had well-toned legs even though half of them were covered by his kilt. Isla imagined what he would look like underneath his léine. Another instant the thought crossed her mind she nearly choked on her spit.
He looked over his shoulder at her as she coughed. “Is there a name for the color ye are wearin’ right now in yer time?” he suddenly asked as she ignored the flush heating up her skin and hurried to catch up with him.
Isla glanced down at the azure dress she wore. It was stained with dirt from the ground and ripped at the sleeves and hem from her struggling with those brigands.
“What color is that ye are wearin’?” he suddenly asked as his gaze drifted down her body. “I havenae seen it here before.” The way his eyes narrowed as he looked at her pricked her skin with heat.
It felt like he staring at her naked even though she was fully clothed. There was a certain heat in his stare, and how his eyes lingered on her body.
“Azure,” she answered him. When he frowned, she added. “It’s a shade of blue.” She pressed closer to his side to avoid the man rolling a cart of vegetables past them. Isla’s stomach grumbled when she saw the fresh carrots and apples arranged on a table in front of a stall they passed.
She put her hand on it and groaned before nibbling on her lower lip. Just then Jack stopped walking and moved to a horse tied into a corner.
“Are we ridin’ on that?” she asked in a strained voice as she regarded him and the golden-haired beast closely.
“Aye, we are,” he answered as she stroked the horse’s hair. “This is May and she’s a beastly rider. She’s the healthiest of all mares I own, ye will enjoy ridin’ on her.”
Isla shook her head. “How far is yer Castle? We could hire a carriage or buy one?” she suggested. “How do I sit on horseback without falling off and breaking my neck?”
“Ye learn,” he told her, ignoring everything else she had said, and extended his hand to her. “Put yer hand in mine and I will guide ye.”
Isla hesitated. She cringed inside at what she would need to do though. Her skin felt sticky as she needed to wash up, and her dress was in ruins.
I must find that crazy old lady and make her take me back.
“Come on,” Jack encouraged, his hand still outstretched to her. Isla slowly put her hand in his. Once their skin touched, her breath hitched in her throat, and she swooned on her feet.
“I got ye,” he told her as he grabbed her waist, lifted her off the ground like she weighed nothing and placed her on his saddle. She was about to ask him how he would ride when he got on the horse behind her and sat astride with his legs on both sides.
Isla sucked in a deep breath. His body pressed into hers now, and she felt the hard planes of his muscles. Warmth from him seeped into her, she caught a whiff of his earthy, masculine scent and her tongue darted out to lick her lips nervously.
He yelled as he kicked the horse to a trot, and then they started galloping down the path in front of them.
The wind blew Isla’s hair while she sat straight and tense in front of him, her body paralyzed by his nearness, but her heart and pulse doing tremendous races inside her.
They rode like that for a long time in silence until he slowed near a loch and jumped off the horse again. Isla let him help her down, and she was close to his chest when her feet touched the ground.
Their gazes locked firmly, and his face was only inches away from hers, but that lasted only a heartbeat before they both sprang apart.
He went to the loch and scooped a little of the water into his hand so he could wash his face and drink.