The Highlander's Haunted Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

bit…er—”
Carnal.
“—personal, you retreated. More than that, you seemed confused. Nay, bewildered.”
    She could not have hugged her arms to herself any tighter. The effect on her generous breasts was—he reminded himself—unintentional. He lifted his gaze to her burning cheeks with an effort.
    â€œIs that all?” She seemed to choke out the words, her chin held high.
    Why was the answer so important to her?
    â€œAn experienced woman feels the possibility of mating in the air.” It was more of a clarification, really. But she’d gotten him thinking. “It comes down to awareness.”
    Her brow furrowed, her nose wrinkled in annoyance.
    â€œHow perfectly heathen,” she noted crisply, an unsteady hand gesturing toward the passage door. “But thank you for your insights.”
    He hoped to have the opportunity to make a few more. But he thought it wisest not to mention it.
    â€œWe meet at sunset, then.” Ignoring the secret passageway, he moved toward the main door to the tower chamber and raised the bar. “Until then, I hope you enjoy my hospitality, Lily.”
    Departing before she could dispute his ownership yet again, Iain took the tower stairs down to the great hall. He kept the memory of Lily’s kiss at the front of his mind as he passed the threadbare tapestries still hanging behind the dais. The images stitched on that tattered fabric were a part of the past he’d rather forget.
    Because although he was no phantom himself, he had ghosts of his own to keep at bay.
    * * *
    Leaving Invergale far behind, Iain rode into a hazel grove deep in the Caledonian forest. He recognized the figures waiting for him in the shadow of Cairn Eilrig, their horses prancing nervously where they were tethered.
    â€œWho is she?” a voice barked at him from a ledge near a mountain waterfall, a place where the three often met.
    â€œGood to see you, too, Magnus,” Iain shot back at the older of his two younger brothers. Magnus had the disposition of a troll and a quick sword arm to go with it.
    The combination had gotten the Darrochs in more battles than Iain could count. Then again, Magnus’s sword had also got them out of quite a few.
    â€œDo ye think I care for pleasantries when a woman takes up residence at Invergale uninvited?” he growled, his brogue growing thick in his anger. “Ye’ve been gone for hours.”
    Iain climbed up to a flat rock covered with moss, just out of reach of the fine mist coming off the waterfall. Ferns grazed his calves as he walked, the constant swish and burble of water muting the call of night birds. Dropping onto the mossy ledge beside Alexander, the youngest of four siblings, Iain bit back a sharp response. He knew they’d worried about him.
    â€œWho is she?” Alexander passed Iain a flask with one hand while he coaxed a tiny flame to life from a pile of twigs with the other.
    Their time together was short, as always, but Alexander had a habit of lighting a fire when they met. As if they could recreate a hall and hearth they would never again share.
    Dragging his gaze up from the sparking tinder, Iain thought about the woman. Lily.
    â€œI think she’s mortal.” He would know better tomorrow after they met at sunset.
    â€œImpossible,” Magnus scoffed, clambering down beside them, his sword clanking against the rock as he found a place. “You said her eyes picked you out of the forest right away. Mortals are slow creatures. Their vision doesn’t track the likes of us.”
    True. Yet Iain had fought to hold on to his humanity. He tipped the flask to his lips, downing the fiery brew.
    â€œI haven’t figured out why she can see me yet, but I will.” Tomorrow. When he met her again outside of Invergale.
    â€œWhen? We could be wasting time while she amasses forces against us.” Alexander risked a look up from the ball of flame. And even in the darkness,