The small pool of water fed by the nearby lock had become Ailios' favorite secluded place. Small minnows swam in the shallow water, the sun reflecting off their iridescent scales. Ailios, let out a breath, the soft gurgles of the water running past boulders soothed her. Her eyes closed, she lifted her face to the sky.

He thought her a whore. The lout. Even worse, he'd meant to take her. It requires lowering my breeches. It didn't matter that she'd dreamed of making love with him many a time. In her dreams he'd treated her with care and respect, not bedded her thinking she was a common whore.

What if upon her return to the keep he sent her away for rejecting him. It was within his rights as Laird to do with her as he saw fit.

What was she going to do? No family to turn to and no trade at which to earn a living she would end up a beggar. Other than knowledge of herbs, it was unlikely she could find a home within the village.

She'd have to figure out something, Ailios stood and stalked to a tree. That she'd been tempted to take the man up on his offer is what angered her more. God, how many times had she dreamt to finally have him? His skin touching hers, his hands on her body, his mouth... He had the most alluring lips, the bottom one thicker than the upper. She'd never grow tired of feasting on them.

Yes, that would be a dream come true, but at what price? Her heart was shattered beyond repair at knowing what he thought of her. As a villager, a common woman with nothing to her name, she could aspire to worse than the Laird's lover.

"What does it matter anyway?" Ailios mumbled. If he sent her away, she would never see him again. Just seeing Ian daily made her meager life worthwhile. But now, now with her options limited perhaps she should apologize and take whatever he decreed as punishment with grace. She took a breath.

If she offered herself to him and he accepted, then perhaps she could remain at the keep. It would be better than life alone in the village, unable to fend for herself.

Branches crunched and she turned to find Ian McDougall walking into the clearing, his chestnut hair glistening in the sunlight. Piercing blue eyes met hers and he moved closer toward her. "Ah, there you are, Ailios."

Astounded at the laird searching for her, she could only stare at him open-mouthed. He looked away toward the water. He sat upon a large fallen tree with rounded shoulders. "I hoped to find you."

"Why would you look for me laird?"

For a long moment he stared into the water, just as she'd done earlier. He then looked up to the sky and let out a breath. "My father is dying and I am at a loss as how to handle it. I am not thinking clearly of late. That being said, it is not an excuse for my treatment of you. I apologize for startling you earlier and for what I said after."

"Sire, you do not have to..."

"Yes, I believe everyone in my keep should be treated with respect and I did not do so earlier. I offended you. Forgive me."

She studied his face for a moment. Never having stood so close to him before, she memorized the slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes, the darkening of beard at his jawline and the lightness of the tips of his shoulder length hair.

"Your father is a good and fair leader to our people," Ailios told him. She started to reach to touch his arm and offer comfort, but pulled it back when his eyes landed on her outstretched hand.

"Come." Ian then took her hand and pulled her to the tree he sat upon and tugged her to sit beside him. Then holding her hand, he stared straight ahead at the horizon. "I could use company, right now."

Holding her hand in his, they remained sitting on the boulder without speaking.

Ian cleared his throat. "I remember as a young lad, father taught us to fish at this very spot. Lachlan always would ruin the chances of us catching anything. It was difficult for him to sit still for long. He'd jump into the water and begin to play." He chuckled and Ailios lost her breath at the rare sound.

"It is good that you will have the sweet memories of him always."

"Aye, you are correct."

The warmth of his large body seeped through her clothing where his arm touched her shoulder and Ailios wished she could lean against him. The man already mourned his father, and she wondered at such a thing. Her father's detached demeanor ensured she barely gave him a thought.

Ian turned to her and before she could stop herself, Ailios lifted her hand and cupped his jaw. He did not move away, instead, he closed his eyes and leaned into her hand. When the deep blue pools opened, she felt as if engulfed by their depth.

His eyes on hers, Ian cupped her nape and leaned forward pressing his lips onto hers, a kiss soft and slow, not demanding, but more of a request.

Ailios fell into him, her body responding to the call of emotions she'd held within far too long.

When his strong arms enveloped her, and the trees, the pool and sky ceased to exist, her world became the safety of his embrace.

His mouth moved across hers, the kiss became demanding and she clung to his shoulders not wanting it to end. The thumping of his heartbeat vibrated against her chest. When she threaded her fingers through his hair, she was astonished at its softness.

Although she'd dreamed many times of being kissed by the handsome man, the reality did not compare to it. His mouth was hot and sweet with a distinct flavor that could only be Ian. The feeling of her body tucked so closely with his, hands gliding down her sides made it hard to breathe. Ailios gave in fully to him.

When Ian's hand moved to cup her breast, Ailios moaned in response, her body arching to his touch. His thumb circled her hardened nipple prompting her to gasp. Taking advantage of her parted lips Ian's tongue moved into her mouth teasing hers into a sensual dance.

He prodded and she suckled at his tongue, loving the new but erotic intrusion.

From her mouth up the jawline to Ailios's ear, Ian traced a trail of kisses. She continued to cling to him, not wanting even an inch of separation from the delectable hard body.

Now panting, his warm breath brought a reaction of heat that pooled between her legs. She leaned into his mouth and he pressed his lips at the tender area just behind her ear. "Let me make love to you, Ailios."

Could she? Ailios traced his exposed neckline with her fingers, taking her time before responding. He would be married to another woman soon and she'd be forced to see him daily after he spent the night in another woman's arms.

Ian leaned back and cupped her face with both hands. "I will give you time to think about it. If you decide to allow it, come to my chambers tonight. It is your choice. If you do not come, I will not hold it against you."

Seeming to sense her reluctance to let him go, Ian once again took her into his arms. She laid her head against his chest enjoying the strong heartbeat beneath her ear.

A bird called above them and she pushed away from him, the spell broken. "I must return. I do not wish to anger Cook." Ailios stood on shaky legs, not daring to look at Ian. "Good day, Laird."

His quick actions startled her as he got to his feet and came to stand before her. With his fingers under her face, he tilted it up to him. "Do not look away from me, Ailios, from now on always look at me when we speak. Understood?"

She nodded and smiled at him and was rewarded with a curve of his lips. "Aye." Her eyes closed when he kissed her again.

The soon to be Laird of Clan McDougall stepped back from her, his eyes were softer when meeting hers. "I will await you tonight."

He turned toward the creek once again seeming to fall into melancholy. It was understandable of course. The McDougalls were a close-knit and very demonstrative family. Ian needed time to sort his thoughts regarding his father and the large responsibility he'd soon bare on his shoulders. Ailios had no doubt he'd make a good laird, yet she did not envy him the task.

At the keep, a goat stood in the middle of the vegetable garden, his bored expression not changing when she ran toward it to shoo it away. After finally getting the beast to leave, Ailios inspected the ravaged plants. Cook would be quite mad, and since she'd accidentally left the small gate open, when running from Ian earlier, she was responsible for the damage.

Not surprisingly when Ailios told the robust woman of the destruction to the garden, the woman took her by the arm and dragged her out with her to see about the extent of the goat's work. "Yer lucky the young laird is not yet married, I am sure once he is, the wife will oversee the kitchens with an iron fist." Cook waddled to and fro tsking at the destruction while Ailios could only think on the woman's words. The laird's wife usually was very present in the kitchens. The only reason Ian's mother was not there as much of late was the current laird's health.

"Cook," Ailios got the woman's attention. "Would it be possible that I no longer work in the kitchens? Perhaps I can serve in another way."

The woman neared and placed fisted hands on her hips. "I just told the young laird how well you've served in the kitchen and of your knowledge of herbage. I prefer you remain with me. This..." she motioned to the garden, "can be repaired. Come along, Ailios, we must prepare for the evening meal."

Ailios nodded and followed the woman inside. From the corner of her eye, she caught movement. Ian walked back from the creek, a warrior at his side. She hurried into the kitchen, her heartbeat picking up. God, what would she do that night?

Her mind and heart battled. Whether she went to him or not, her heart would be broken. Torn to pieces the day his marriage arrived.