Page 66 of The Laird who Craved her

"Ye have hope," Finn assured her quietly.

"Do I?" Claire laughed softly, though hot tears already blurred her vision. "It doesnae feel like hope."

"It is," Finn insisted.

"Then why does it feel like goodbye?" Claire asked, a single tear slipping free.

Finn inhaled slowly, every single breath seeming to cost him an immense amount of strength. He took one measured step toward her, and then another, until only inches remained between them.

Claire did not move, and neither did he.

For several long heartbeats, they simply stood there, looking into one another's eyes.

Finn's hand lifted almost reluctantly, as though he believed he had no right to touch her. His calloused knuckles brushed her cheek first, and then his fingers slid gently through the loose strands of dark hair framing her face.

Claire's breath caught in her throat.

His thumb settled against her lower lip, lingering there with heartbreaking care as he traced its soft curve, committing the feel of her to memory.

"I dinnae want to leave," Claire whispered, her voice cracking completely as she closed her eyes. "I just found ye."

Finn's hand trembled, only slightly, but enough that she felt it against her skin. He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers, closing his eyes tightly.

The space between them disappeared entirely until their breaths mingled in the quiet room. Claire could feel the uneven rise andfall of his chest. He drew one slow breath, like he was trying to carry the sweet scent of her with him into the dark. His free hand hovered uncertainly at her waist before settling there with infinite, protective care.

"I have spent years convincing myself I needed nobody," Finn murmured into the space between them.

"So have I," Claire breathed back.

His green eyes opened, meeting her grey ones, both reflecting the exact same agonizing sorrow.

"If there were another way," Finn said, swallowing hard before his voice failed him. "If I kent another path, I would take it."

"Then dinnae choose this one," Claire begged him.

His gaze softened with such naked, devastating pain that Claire's heart physically ached for him.

"If ye stay, every man who wishes to break me will look to ye first, and we cannae go through with this ruse any longer," Finn explained, searching for words that would not wound her further.

"I dinnae care," Claire said fiercely.

"But I do," Finn whispered, the words so quiet she almost missed them. "I care enough for us both."

Another tear slipped down her cheek, and Finn immediately caught it with his thumb.

"I can fight beside ye," Claire promised.

"I ken." Finn nodded slightly.

"I am nae afraid," Claire insisted, her hands resting flat against his chest.

"I ken that too," Finn replied.

"Then let me stay," Claire pleaded one final time.

His forehead remained resting against hers as his eyes closed once more.

"This is the only way I ken to keep ye safe," Finn whispered, the absolute finality in his tone breaking something deep inside her.