Page 21 of Jack (Highland Outlaws #1)

B ella’s heart raced as Jack stormed out of the great hall. Clinging desperately to her composure, she leaned close to Hugh and in a low voice said, “Brother Peter must have taken ill. I will tend to him.”

Nodding, Hugh stood and offered her his hand. He smiled at her warmly. “You are a dutiful and thoughtful lady. See that his needs are met, but do not stay away long.” He kissed her hand.

She dipped in a low curtsy and walked calmly from the high dais, despite how her heart pounded with trepidation.

She made her way quickly through the castle, her skirts rustling softly against the stone floors.

She needed to speak to Jack, to explain her silence.

Stepping out into the courtyard, she scanned the shadows, straining to glimpse his silhouette in the darkness.

“Brother Peter,” she shouted when she saw him pass under torchlight near the stable doors. Lifting her skirts, she ran toward him.

He stopped but did not turn around. She was breathless when she reached his side. Clasping his strong arm, she said, “Jack, please... let me explain.”

He did not look at her. “Ye’ve already said enough,” he said, his voice laced with bitterness.

“Nay,” she blurted, her stomach sick with worry.

“You must hear me out!” She pulled him into the stables.

Torchlight from the courtyard cast a dim glow inside.

She could just make out the stony set to his lips and the hard glint in his dark eyes.

She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I know my silence hurt you, but I could not speak to you, not in front of Hugh and my father.”

Jack pulled his arm away from Bella’s grasp, his eyes flashing with anger. “Of course ye couldn’t. How could the great Lady Redesdale condescend to address a commoner?”

She grabbed the front of his robe and pressed herself against him.

“Jack, please,” she whispered, her voice pleading.

She stared up into his midnight eyes. “I dared not speak to you in front of them because I was afraid they would guess my feelings for you.” She held her breath, her heart aching in her chest.

Jack’s expression softened. “Bella,” he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.

She melted into his embrace, feeling warmth and strength exuding from his body. Her arms circled around his neck.

“Bella,” he said louder, his voice hoarse. His gaze bore into hers. “Say it, Bella. Say what ye feel.”

Her heart quaked. Breathless, she buried her face in his chest and closed her eyes. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Jack,” she whispered.

He crooked his finger beneath her chin and lifted her face.

His eyes shone with unspoken emotion. Their lips met in a fiery kiss.

She moaned softly, his scent surrounding her.

His lips were warm and tender against hers, his arms strong.

They kissed long and deep, the passion building between them.

Desire burned through her veins, but her conscience fought against the flame.

She pushed him away, shaking her head. “Please, help me resist you, because I cannot of my own will.”

He reached for her, drawing her back into his arms. “Ye can’t marry him,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers.

Her heart ached. “But I do not wish to hurt him. He is my friend and a good man.”

“Too good,” he growled, jerking away. The stony set to his face returned, causing her chest to tighten, but then he expelled a long breath.

She watched his shoulders loosen. Slowly, he stepped back and leaned against the stable wall, closing his eyes.

She ached to touch him, but her feet remained fixed to the floor.

He continued to keep his gaze from hers.

Her breathing quickened. She fought to swallow the painful lump that had gathered in her throat.

Silence hung heavily in the air as she waited for him to speak.

Finally, he opened his eyes and met her gaze.

He looked at her through half-closed lids.

“I never dreamed of a woman like ye. I wouldn’t have dared.

” Her stomach fluttered at the sight of his sideways smile.

He took a step toward her. “As selfish as it may be, I want ye to be mine.”

The fire had reignited in his eyes, and she felt drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

She knew she should resist, but the temptation was too great.

She closed the distance between them, pressing her body against his.

He groaned as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.

Their lips met in another fiery kiss, and the passion between them grew stronger.

Bella’s hands roamed over Jack’s broad shoulders, feeling the hard muscles beneath his clothing.

Her body was on fire, and she knew she wanted him more than anything.

Tears stung her eyes. She pulled away. “Then take me,” she cried, gesturing toward one of the stalls, her heart pounding in her chest. “Steal my father’s horse and grab me as you once did.

Ride away and do not stop until we’ve reached the Highlands! ”

“I cannot do that, Bella,” Jack said, his voice thick with emotion.“I cannot dishonor yer father in such a way.”

She covered her face with her hands. What was she to do? She did not want to abandon her family, but she could not imagine a life without Jack in it.

“Where is my Bella?” he whispered, gently tugging her hands away from her face. His soft question inflamed her desire. Her heart raced as she looked up into Jack’s dark eyes. She knew what she wanted, what she needed. She gasped when his fingers stole beneath the edge of her wimple.

“Where is my Bella?” he breathed again.

A soft cry tore from her as he pulled, ripping the fabric asunder.

At once, his fingers dug into her hair. He crushed his lips against hers.

She groaned, wrapping her arms around his neck, fighting to bring their bodies closer, pressing into his hard strength while she savored the taste of him.

She moaned softly as he trailed kisses down her neck.

Then, suddenly, he tore his lips from hers.

“I love ye,” he said, his voice hoarse. He cupped her cheeks between his hands and stroked his thumb across her lips. “Runaway with me,” he breathed.

In her heart, she already had. She did not doubt that they had been destined to find one another.

She could no more deny her heart than she could deny herself water or breath.

None of her misgivings were insurmountable.

Although it pained her to think of hurting Hugh, his suffering, she knew, would be short-lived.

He would marry another—a woman who would look at him and see the sun in her sky, a woman who would love him with her whole heart. ..something Bella could never do.

She had given her heart to the man standing in front of her.

Reaching up, she laced her fingers behind Jack’s neck. Without a trace of doubt in her heart, she whispered. “I choose love...I choose you.”

She glimpsed the light of joy filling his dark eyes the instant before his lips claimed hers.

In that moment, unrestrained passion surged through her.

She kissed him with all the feeling and warmth that had lain trapped inside her heart for years.

She felt as though she were on fire. She savored the heat and the strength of his embrace.

His hands roamed over her body, igniting a fierce desire within her.

The feel of his strong hands, the taste of his lips, and the scent of his body were all she could think of.

She moaned softly as he traced his fingers along the curve of her hip, sending shivers down her spine.

In her heart of hearts, she knew she had made the right choice—her only choice.

Whether Saint Peter or Brother Peter...whether a commoner, highwayman, or rebel—he was one man, her man...Jack MacVie, and she was his Bella.