Page 18 of When a Highlander Vows (Enemies to Lovers #1)

18

C aitlin had to stop running. Her heart was pounding, and her head was spinning, and she knew she’d bump into something if she didn’t slow down and focus on where she was going. She might have memorized the way, but when she was rushing, her mind didn’t have time to remember. But she had to get away from that room, had to hide herself before Lucas came after her and confronted her about what had just happened.

It hadn’t been on purpose. Not really. After she’d returned from her walk with Lottie, she’d spoken to Sarah and heard the men were practicing fighting in a far part of the castle. Wanting to learn more about the castle anyway, and continue to explore, she’d wandered that way. It hadn’t been too hard to find them. She just had to follow the sounds of male grunting and the clash of sword metal.

Then, when she had come to the door and had seen Archie and Lucas locked in a fierce sword battle, she’d been mesmerized. Lucas’ every muscle looked like it had been chiseled from stone, and now that he was bare chested, it was even more obvious. For a few seconds, she’d merely blinked at him, her mouth a little parted in the shock of it. He was not far away from her, but she was slightly hidden, so she had the freedom to look her fill.

Under his kilt, she’d watched his strong legs move quickly and then stand, holding firm while he ducked out of the way of Archie’s blows. Was this what women felt when they looked at men? Caitlin had only experienced a fraction of this heat, this longing that grew stronger the more she looked at him. It seemed to narrow and focus, sliding from her chest to her belly, and below. A warmth unfurled over her skin, and one hand clung to the wood of the doorjamb, trying to keep herself steady. Then he’d seen her, looking at him.

She was not out of breath, and after she’d turned a few corners, she’d backed herself into an alcove, where she could both hide and catch her breath. Putting a hand over her forehead, Caitlin could feel the heat flowing out of her skin, and she knew it was only partly to do with her embarrassment.

“Dear God, what must he think of me now? He must think I came just to watch him! That will certainly give him an ego.”

She leaned her head back against the cool stone and closed her eyes. She could instantly recreate the image of Lucas in her mind, and she remembered the strength of his hands as he’d held her waist, pulling her close as they’d kissed. She could only imagine how strong it would be to be taken by him, carried upstairs to her bed and—

Ye foolish lass! Stop this now! It will dae ye nay good to think of the Laird in this way. It must be a result of yer grief. Ye cannae think straight.

Immediately, she snapped her eyes open and pushed away from the wall. She could not afford to lose herself to a man, not when it was uncertain how long she’d remain there near to him. With a deep breath, she walked away, feeling her path down the passageway to more familiar areas until she reached the library. She planned to hide away there until the evening meal. Hours later, when it was time, she could hear footsteps coming for her, and she put down her book and prepared herself to see Lucas again, to see the smirk in his eyes as they both knew what she’d been doing that afternoon.

But instead, it was a servant, merely coming to escort her to dinner. She allowed him, but her footsteps dragged as they got closer and closer to the hall. Her stomach rumbled, however, at the smell of delicious food, and she knew that Lottie’s presence at the table would help keep Lucas from mentioning anything.

Once inside the hall, Lucas stood at her approach, and Lottie smiled. “We heard ye’ve been readin’ yerself to death. I am happy,” Lottie said.

“Aye, somethin’ like that.” Clearing her throat, she chanced a glance at Lucas.

He was not looking stern, and something like a smile hung around his lips.

Dear God, he is amused!

“I have never seen so many books in me life,” Caitlin said, coloring a little. “Ye must forgive me if I take advantage of them. I love to read, and it is one thing in which I daenae need assistance. Yer library is very impressive, Lucas.”

She sat and Lucas followed, calling for wine to be poured. “Ye are welcome to it. I find I daenae always have the patience to sit and read for as long as ye. It is an admirable trait.”

Lottie nodded along. “So, is that what ye did with yer time after the walk, me dear?” Lottie asked innocently. “I was napping for much of the day. The walk we shared was quite a long one, and me muscles ached.”

“Och, Lottie, I am so sorry. I dinnae mean for that to happen. Have ye taken yer medicine?”

“Aye, aye,” she waved a hand at Caitlin. “Please daenae worry about me. Tell me about yer readin’.”

“Aye, please dae,” Lucas said. “It seems that one must be a very avid reader to spend all day in the library among the books. Surely ye did somethin’ else this afternoon?”

Lucas had been cutting at his slice of pork on the plate, but after he finished his sentence, he looked up at her with a little smirk.

Caitlin sucked in a breath. What on Earth is the man doin’? He acts as though he is happy I spotted him in a half-naked state? As if he was nae the one to pull away from the kiss we shared?

Bewildered, Caitlin pursed her lips, trying to form words. After she cleared her throat, she spoke, but it had seemed like a full minute had passed.

“Aye, that is all I did. Naethin’ else interested me today,” she said firmly, lifting her brow a little and looking back at him.

He might make her cower for a moment with that handsome face of his, but she was just as intelligent, and like she’d told herself before, she would not allow herself to be cowed or controlled by a man. When she saw Lucas’ look of surprise, she felt much better.