Highland Island (Book 6)

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Carrick’s mind emptied of all thought, having no idea as to what they were arguing about, what was being said or even how he had got himself into this situation in the first place. But as his mind blanked he could not find it within himself to care either. Her lips soft as they battled for supremacy. No matter the fight, he knew that the one who lost would also be the victor here. Tangling his hand in her hair, the braid loosening in his grip, allowing him to freely move her head into a better angle to meld their mouths together.

A low groan escaped him as he stepped forward, Isla stepping back in tandem until her back solidly met the straight trunk of the tree. She was making him have a physical reaction that he could not stop, and whilst a little embarrassed by it, he could not stop from sipping from her lips. He needed to stop, to talk with her, but for this moment, he would indulge and allow himself to sink further into the embrace of a woman. A woman who seemed to see him as a male who was worthy of her attention. A woman who was beyond his ultimate reach, but for this moment he could taste just a hint of a heaven he was not allowed.

When he felt Isla pull away, he backed off immediately, he would take more than she was willing to give. No matter the insistence of his body for more. This was a woman who deserved more, than a quick tumble in the forest as it was, but he would never force himself on any woman.

A glance at her flushed face made a small bubble of pride balloon in his chest. He had caused that dazed look upon a face which was usually so animated and showed an intelligence that only made her more beautiful. Her bottom lip was pulled in by her top teeth and his body reacted in a way that had him groaning and turning his back upon her until he could bring himself back under control once more.

A small gentle hand reached for his shoulder, a tender squeeze of the muscle had his breath quivering out in a silent hush. He managed to keep the shiver internal, yet he knew that she was turning him inside out and that she knew it.

“Carrick?” he heard the tremble in her throat. “What’s wrong? Did I... “ The quiver in her voice was heart breaking and he had turned before he could even think about it. His hand reaching up to cup the side of her face. His hand large enough to almost cover the side of her face. He felt a protective tug within that said he needed to keep this woman safe. That she was more than he could ever be worthy of. She leant into his touch, her eyes closing on a soft sigh as she turned her head slightly to brush her lips over his palm before her liquid pupils drowned him in colour.

He had to clear his throat twice before he could finally make any semblance of reply which would assuage her fear. “Isla, nothing you did was wrong. In fact it was entirely too right.” The rest became stuck in his throat. For he needed to tell her that the were from two different worlds. Hers was as safe as any could get in the harsh but beautiful Highlands. Her clan would make sure she survived no matter the cost. But he was in a world where only the very strongest could survive, a life of struggle and hunger and violence. She was a woman who deserved hearth and home, even if he could see the inner strength within her. She could survive his life, of that he had no doubt, there was a grit about her which he knew those weaker than her would cling to, as she protected them. But he could not ever expect her to come into the world he lived within. Yet he could not even voice that to her.

Her smile was a bright light in the darkness of his life. Even with his brother, his life was a lonely path that he walked. His brother brought brief patches of fair weather, but Isla brought glorious sunshine which warmed his skin and set him at peace inside.

Darting his tongue out to moisten his dry lips, he knew he had to take that look from her eyes. No matter the hurt it would give him. “You need to go back to your clan and live your life as you were fated too. I have stumbled into your life and disrupted it, but not beyond repair. I will not be the reason that you loose your clan, your standing and your family. Whilst this was a moment I will treasure forever, it is not one we can ever repeat.”