Page 10 of Fearless Heart
Chapter Three
Before Heath could move, she set her lips upon his. He returned the sensual kiss with all his being, pressing her body against the cottage thatch. Her soft curves melded to him and her tongue timidly coaxed his touch. There was something oddly desirous in her kiss, and more than that, his response which undoubtedly confused him. Her fingers meshed in his hair and she pushed back the hood of his cloak. He weakened at the knees and set his hands on her hips. Heath continued to caress her mouth and the sound of a soft moan reverberated his tongue. A yearning to have her snuck upon him.
He quickly pulled away. Heath gazed into her eyes. She peered at him with desire mingled with fear. He didn’t like it one wee bit, her desire nor her fear. Lillia turned and glanced around the cottage and returned her gaze to him.
“They’re gone.”
“Who is gone?” He kept her from leaving and took hold of her wrist. Many questions hit him at once: who were the two men following her, why she pulled him around the cottage, and most import, why she kissed him?
“No one.” She smiled and touched his face, the light caress allaying him. “’Twas naught but a few suitors I was trying to avoid. It’s been many a year, Heath. I assume you’re here for the autumn festival?”
“Something akin. And lass, I can tell when you speak a falsehood. Those men were following you. They were intent to reach you. Are you in danger?”
She shook her head, her bonny blonde waves shaking. “Nay, not at all. Do not make it out to be more than it is. You’re as handsome as I remember. Although your hair is much darker and longer, and my, but you are verily taller than I remembered.” Her fingers pressed his arm and there was something stirring in her touch.
“I was little more than a lad when I last saw you.” He searched her face for honesty, but since she insisted she was safe, he relaxed. “You’ve turned into a beautiful woman, Lillia. Aye, no longer the willful lass?”
Lillia laughed a sound as light and sweet as a Dunnock sparrow on a spring morning. “I haven’t been willful since I was wee. Where have you been? I heard your father sent you away but I didn’t believe what was rumored …”
He raised a brow. “You should believe what was told. I am in service to the king. So … tell me what had ye running and why you demanded I kiss you?” Heath almost groaned aloud when he noticed the glisten of her lips. He wanted to kiss her again, truth be told, for much longer and with much more passion. But Lillia was like a sister to him. They’d spent most of their childhood teasing and chasing one another. He shouldn’t consider her in any sort of romantic notion. Then why did his heart tense when he saw her? And why did it clash madly when she’d kissed him?
“I told you, Heath, two suitors set on gaining a kiss from me, but I thwarted them.”
“Aye, you thwarted them all right. Do your brothers ken you’re out here alone? Do ye make a habit of hailing off without protection? There are many strangers here. I’m surprised your father didn’t bid ye to stay in the keep.” The more he thought about her lack of care, the more ireful he became. “You should return home before something—”
“My da forbade me from leaving the keep. But I worked hard preparing for the festival and wanted to enjoy it. I shall return home soon, but before I go … I …” She set her arms around him and hugged him close. “I’ve missed you, Heath. Will you not walk with me a bit before I return?”
“I shouldn’t, but I will.” He should leave, but everything within him told him to stay. At least for a short while. He walked next to Lillia and continued to watch her. She was lovely. Her sunshine hair flowed freely. Her brown eyes sparkled with flecks of light and as golden as a new batch of honey. Not only was she beautiful, but she still had the winsome spirit he remembered. Lord how he’d missed her.
They rounded a copse of trees and Heath knew where she was leading him–where they’d spent many a warm summer’s day–by the stream where they swam and caroused. Against his wishes, he kept his distance with a respectable foot betwixt them. Getting close to her would only cause his heart to war with his mind. His heart clamored and his mind rebelled.
She slipped on a patch of wet leaves and ended up in his arms. Heath held her longer than was necessary to rectify her. Lillia felt right in his arms as if she belonged there. And yet he berated himself for thinking such thoughts. With a newfound view of her, he resisted lowering his mouth to hers.
“You’re still gawkish. Aye, you always were.” He couldn’t hold back the grin that came, for she’d always made him merry.
Her bonny eyes crinkled with mirth. “I am not clumsy, at least not anymore.”
“You always walked into things and caused mishaps around you.” He grinned at the remembrance. “You need to be more alert.”
“I’m always alert.” She released him and pressed her hands over her garments.
“Aye? Then ye are aware there was a man following us?”
“There was? Where?” She turned and peered at the surrounding trees. “I see no one.”
“I believe we lost him when I veered you around the large crag. You ken, the one we used to jump from when we were children.”
“Do you know who he is?” Her eyes widened, and he was positive now she feared the follower.
“Nay.” Heath wondered if someone followed him and not her. Perhaps someone recognized him and was intent to apprehend him. But then why would she be fearful? He took a moment to survey their surroundings and listened intently for sounds, but no one was near enough, not even a small animal. “Worry not, Lillia, I’m alert enough for the both of us.”
“You, Heath Fraser, are being boastful, and always were.”
Assured he’d lost the follower, Heath eased. “Mayhap I boast a wee bit. Let us sit and take rest. Tell me of your life.” He’d rather continue kissing her, but needed something to occupy him so he wouldn’t do as he was wont.
“I wish not to speak of it. Do you recall when you first kissed me the night all the fireflies surrounded the stream?”
Heath remembered that night as if it were yesterday. It was their first and only kiss until this day. The magical night rivaled this one. He sat and leaned against a tree, gazing out to the flowing waters. His hand set against the bump of his dagger fastened to his leg. If danger neared, he’d be ready to face it.