The Highland Heir by Allison B. Hanson

Author:Allison B. Hanson [Hanson, Allison B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scotland, best friends, scottish, forbidden love, castles, friends to lovers, highlanders, kilts, lairds, men in kilts
Publisher: Allison B. Hanson
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

*

What had he done? Kieran asked himself the question for the sixth time as he trudged along the creek. It wouldn’t do for him to get himself lost in the forest. Even as much as he might want to.

He would have to go back. He shouldn’t have left her alone even for a moment. Teague would not be pleased for his poor escort.

Of course, Teague would not be pleased to know how Kieran had disrespected his daughter.

He let a list of curses fly in English as well as Gaelic. Some Ella had taught him.

This was exactly what he’d known could not happen. As much as he’d enjoyed it and would hold the memory of her kiss for the rest of his life, it was wrong of him to take it.

Not when he couldn’t give her everything she deserved.

This was the worst thing a friend could do. But it was now clear he was no kind of a friend. That knowledge hurt the most. To think he had failed in this as well.

Eventually, he gave up on berating himself and turned to go back.

He didn’t know what he would say. Ella would no doubt want to discuss it so it wasn’t stuck between them, but he would have to decline. It was too raw.

What was worse was knowing as bad as he felt about hurting Ella, the monster inside him wanted to kiss her again.

“That can’t happen,” he whispered to himself as he walked back into the clearing. “Are we ready to get on our way again?” His question was spoken casually with a voice that sounded steadier than he felt.

Inside, he was shaken and panicked.

“I was only waiting for you to return from your little fit,” she said to rile him. He ignored her and went to stand next to her horse.

Rather than risk touching her, he laced his fingers and held them out, ready to take her boot and give her a boost up into her saddle.

With a sigh, she gave him a shove.

“I don’t need your help. Go away.”

She was angry at him. This was good. Angry people didn’t kiss one another.

Except that was exactly what had happened earlier. They’d been sparring one moment, and he’d reached for her the next. Apparently, the passion that came from arguing was not so different from other kinds of passion.

He would need to be careful in the future.

They rode on in silence for more than hour. Kieran thought perhaps the event would be forgotten, and eventually they could go back to how things had been.

But, of course, he should have known better. Ella was not one to just let something fade away without discussing it.

“Should we talk about what happened?” she asked.

“Nay. I beg of you, Ella, let us never speak of it.” He feared never would be too soon.

“Then it will be this awkwardness between us forever?”

“’Tis not awkward. ’Tis just too soon. It will be better. With time we will forget.” He wouldn’t forget. Not as long as he lived.

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