Page 35 of Highlander’s Hope

She became aware of his scent filling her nostrils, that foreign, fresh scent of the sea and heather. And magic.

Her mouth was dry, so she licked her lips. She removed her gloves and gave them to him, and he laid the sword on the anvil so he could put them on.

“Take the sword, pick the part you want to sharpen. Place yer hands so that they border that part.”

He did, but he picked only a small section of the sword.

“Nae.” She put her hands on his and guided them farther apart. Her arm touched his, and a small lightning bolt of excitement jolted through her. Her breath quickened. Without removing her hands, she helped him place the flat side of the sword against the stone.

“Now slide it forward, nae too strong and nae too gentle, like so.” She made a movement, and her side connected with his. She buzzed from the touch, the feeling unfamiliar and beautiful. She wanted more. She couldn’t let go yet.

They repeated the movement again, and Marjorie’s skin melted against his. She felt him looking at her and glanced up from the blade. He was so close and was watching her with anguish in his eyes. And heat.

Just lean forward, and ye’ll find his lips. How will they feel? Hard or soft? How will they taste?

Someone coughed, and Marjorie jumped back and away from Konnor. Colin stood in the doorway, eyeing Konnor as though the man had just killed someone.

“Mother,” Colin said, scowling at her and Konnor, “Malcolm sent me to tell ye the blacksmith approves of the plan. He can begin forging the spikes.”

Marjorie bit her lip. Her poor boy hasn’t been himself since yesterday. He was anxious and worried, and she was trying to occupy him with different tasks around the castle to distract him.

She’d taken some of Konnor’s suggestions after she’d thought about them. Once she’d cooled off, she’d realized Konnor was right about many things. She needed to tell the blacksmith the edges needed to be sharp enough to prevent the men from holding on to them. “Good. Verra good. I’m coming.”

Disappointed she’d need to separate from Konnor, she took her claymore from Konnor’s hands. “I’ll see ye later. For the training.”

Without waiting for his answer, she marched towards Colin, kissed him on the head, and walked out of the smithy into the fresh air. But even that didn’t cool the fire in her veins.

Konnor had awoken something in her—something she’d thought she’d never get to experience in her life. And it was surprising, and wonderful, and scary. She didn’t know what exactly it was, but it reached to her very soul.

No. Best to nae touch him or get closer.

She had a feeling getting close to Konnor would put her in danger of being heartbroken like never before, but she wasn’t sure she’d be able to resist.

Chapter 14

Konnor studied Colin’s wooden sword and shifted his weight uncomfortably. What did one say to an eleven-year-old boy?

“So ye’re the man my mother found in the woods?” Colin said. “And the one who saved me.”

The words “saved me” sounded more accusatory than grateful.

Konnor cleared his throat. “Yeah. I suppose I am.”

“Why did ye come here?”

“I…got hurt.” Konnor gestured at his ankle. “Your mom helped me.”

Colin tapped his foot, still scowling at Konnor. “So why dinna ye leave?”

“Because I want to help. To protect your mother from the bad guys.”

Like I wish someone had protected my mom back then. Like I wish I had.

“She dinna need yer protection. She has me. And she has Tamhas. If anyone will marry my mother, it will be him.”

Colin looked Konnor over with his estimating, smart eyes, and without another word, he left the smithy.

Konnor stared at the empty, sunlit doorway. What was the saying? An elephant in a china shop? That was exactly how he felt with kids.