Page 22 of Highlander’s Unspoken Attraction

“Aye, I see that now,” he agreed, trying not to let guilt overwhelm his thoughts. “I thought I could satiate this desire elsewhere, but every woman I compared to you. And every time, they couldn’t compare to you. Even the naïveté of our wedding night was more perfect than anything I found after.”

Alison was conflicted. She hated hearing about the women he had bedded over the years, but she felt vindicated that his thoughts had remained full of her. The emotions warred in her mind as he continued.

“Ye’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Alison. And I’m mad at myself for almost losing you.”

“Why did you do it, Liam?” She couldn’t help her desperate question. She was greedy for understanding. “Why didn’t you just talk to me about your feelings?”

Liam closed his eyes with a painful sigh. When he opened them, the emotion in them made Alison want to hug him anew and never let go. “Because I thought I didn’t deserve you.”

All fight went out of Alison then, and she leaned forward, lips aching for a kiss. When their lips met, the fire that had burned was still there, but this time the flames were warm like absolution. Liam pressed back, tasting Alison’s forgiveness and he nearly found himself trembling with thankfulness that this woman, the one he’d yearned for all these years, was still willing to be his. When Alison pulled back, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

“There’s still the matter of the bairn with Emily,” she said. Alison would have loved to do nothing more than luxuriate in bed with Liam, but they had matters to handle. “If she is to have your heir⁠—”

“Nay,” Liam cut in. “I may have been relentless in my pursuit of mindless pleasure, but I don’t forget faces. Emily isn’t one I remember.”

Alison frowned. “But, Bain said⁠—”

Liam shook his head. “Bain would do anything to have you.” His voice finished on a growl that had Alison clenching inside. She had to force herself to pay attention. “I do not think I slept with that woman. And anyone I did bed, I always made sure there would be no bairn. I never wanted to hurt you or anyone else.”

“Then how is she having your bairn?” Alison asked, trying to understand. Liam shook his head.

“I dinnae know, but I plan to find out just what is going on,” he said firmly. Liam had finally made peace with his foolish actions. He refused to let his marriage be tarnished without a fight.