The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride Read Online Free

brother is but eleven years and a serious lad. I havenae seen him in over two years and miss him.”
    Ryan quirked an eyebrow at her question. “What do ye mean?”
    “I mean, what did ye learn? I’ve seen the lads who foster at Scaurness. They learn fighting skills, lettering, drinking and…” Her cheeks heated again, remembering Gordon’s warm, inviting eyes, and she hoped Ryan wouldn’t notice her discomfiture in the semi-darkness. But of course, he did. He nudged her.
    “What else do they learn at Scaurness, Gilda?”
    Gilda turned her back to him. She’d had this discussion with Tavia earlier, and wasn’t going to voice her opinion in front of a stranger.
    A puff of warm air against the side of her neck tingled across her tight-strung nerves, and she jumped. Ryan’s face loomed next to hers, his nose near level with her ear.
    “Seems as though ye already know the answer to that question, sir,” she replied tartly. “I told ye men were all alike.”
    “Och, Gilda. Dinnae blame us for noticing such a sweet, red-haired lass as yerself.”
    Gilda flung the plaide from her shoulder and leapt to her feet, displeasure radiating through her. “I dinnae have to put up with it at home, and I of certain dinnae have to put up with it from the likes of ye!”
    Ryan’s laugh and rueful smile did little to mollify her, and she continued to glare at him. He rose to his feet and cupped her chin in his hand.
    “Ye are the most fascinating mixture of sweetness and fire.” His eyes roamed over her face, his other hand gently skimming the hair beginning to dry and curl at her temples. “Ye asked what we learned, but I think ye know.”
    Gilda’s eyes grew wide as his gaze lingered on her mouth. Her breath hitched and her lips parted, her muscles trembling as though they’d forgotten how to act.
    “We also learn this.” Ryan lowered his mouth to hers, touching her softly. Gilda gasped air into lungs suddenly empty of breath, and nearly shattered as the tip of his tongue gently traced the outline of her lips.
    His mouth moved against hers and Gilda fisted the front of his shirt in her hands, clinging to him as desperate as though she’d been dropped from the highest cliff above the firth. Her world spun out of control, and a tiny moan escaped her as she rose to meet his kiss.
    Ryan released her and caught her hands in his. Gilda took a step back, shocked to find the earth still beneath her feet. They stood silent for a moment, and the slow, lazy sound of dripping water grew loud.
    “The storm is past.”
    How could he say that? A storm still raged through her and Ryan acted as though he were completely unaffected.
    He gave her hands a slight tug. “I think we should go now.”
    Gilda slipped her hands from his, trying to hide the turmoil inside. “Aye. Ye are right. I must be home.” She strode to the cave’s entrance and pushed past the rain-drenched bracken.
    “I will walk with ye to the beach to be sure ye make it to yer land.”
    “I dinnae need yer help.”
    “Ye will get my help whether ye need it or not.” A gravelly tone laced Ryan’s voice and Gilda bristled.
    “’Tis ye who are trespassing now, sir.” She nodded her head to a large rock a few feet away. “Yon outcropping is the border.”
    “My name is Ryan,” he bit out, obviously as edgy as she.
    Gilda whirled on him. “Leave me alone, Ryan .” She stamped her foot with all the petulance of a child.
    “As ye wish.” He gave her a curt bow and turned. Their path a single trek leading to the shore, they hurried down the narrow trail, wet leaves and branches tugging at Gilda’s skirts and hair.
    Ryan paused as they broke the forest’s cover. “Here is where we part. If ye hurry, ye can make it to yer auntie’s cottage before ’tis dangerously dark.”
    Gilda stared at him. The only thing dangerously dark is ye . And I willnae make the mistake of underestimating ye again . She couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
    A shout arrested