Lachlan looked away from Claire's questioning gaze. He'd avoided her, not sharing more than a few words with her the rest of the day. Preoccupied with thoughts that flew between facing his brother upon their return, and wanting to have the bewitching woman again, he'd not been able to form a single coherent plan.

Riding next to him, Rowan McDougall took a swig from his wine skin and held it out to him. "Look to be needing something stronger than water, cousin."

He knew. Lachlan was not surprised. One of the reasons Rowan was so successful at battle was his ability to see beyond the obvious. He reached for the skin and took a drink, the sour liquid coating his throat.

His cousin's piercing gaze met his for a moment. "Are ye going to tell Ian?"

"Aye. I would never lie to my brother."

"Good." A man of few words, the man reverted back to silence. Which was not what Lachlan needed at the moment.

He took another swallow and handed the skin back. "I'll offer to marry the lass. We will keep our bargain with the McLean."

His cousin replied with a noncommittal shrug.

"Rowan?"

The large male's lips curved. "Quite a sacrifice you be makin'. The lass is comely is she not?"

With a chuckle Lachlan nodded. "She is." The lightness of the moment left immediately when the guilt at betraying his brother hit him with a cold fist.

Rowan turned his steed and brought his horse to a trot motioning for him to follow. Lachlan signaled the other two to keep moving with the wagon and followed the male into the forest. His cousin dismounted and waited for him to near. Not sure what to expect, Lachlan closed the distance between them.

The hit came so hard and unexpected that Lachlan did not know it happened until he lay on his back and stared up at the treetops. His jaw pulsed in pain and he reached up and cupped it. "What the devil are you doing?"

"For betraying our future laird." Rowan placed his fists on his hips and nodded. "There, that should cure ye of any self-reproach."

His cousin then extended his hand and helped Lachlan to his feet. This time Lachlan kept his fists up in case Rowan swung again. He didn't. Instead Rowan walked to the horse and took the skin back out and took a drink. Taller and broader than him, the normally silent man studied him, the grey gaze unnerving. "Don't back down, Lachlan. I've seen the way you look at each other. It's uncommon to have that."

He mounted his horse and guided it back towards the others. "Come now, we can't let our guard down, we near Campbell lands."

Lachlan watched the horseman make his way through the trees. The pain he'd seen in Rowan's eyes told more than the words. He wondered who'd broken his cousin's heart.

The weary travelers arrived at a village inn. With another day’s ride before they would reach the McDougall keep, they stopped to allow Claire to rest and bathe before arriving at their final destination.

The innkeeper ensured they filled their stomachs and provided them with excellent ale. Glad for a soft bed to lie in, Lachlan made his way up the stairs after a hearty meal of mutton and potatoes.

He stopped at Claire's doorway and knocked. Her servant cracked the door and peered up at him. "Lady Claire is bathing, Laird."

"Tell her I wish to speak to her. I am next door." After Maggie nodded, he left and went to his chamber.

Nerves tangled in his stomach with the ale and mutton and Lachlan huffed in disgust at the adolescent display. Tomorrow he'd face not only Ian, but also his father.

He'd take full responsibility and admit to what happened between him and Claire. And he'd accept whatever consequences they threw at him without complaint. Once that was done, he hoped to convince them to allow him to marry Claire in Ian's stead.

What if his request was denied? Could he stand to see her married to Ian? Nay, he'd never allow it. But first he'd speak with Claire about it. No bedding, no touching with her. He would just speak.

The knock on the door announced Claire's arrival. He opened it and once again his stomach pitched.

She threw herself on him before the door was fully open. Her plush lips offered up to him, soft curves pressed close. "I've missed you, Lachlan."

Her breathless confession stole all of his resolve. The offered prize sealed it away.

With a moan of relief he took her mouth pleased at her similar response. Her hands slid up his arms and wrapped around his neck leaving her body open for him to explore.

And discover, he did. The plump orbs of her breasts overfilled his palms, with gentle squeezes and circling of her tips with his thumbs, he brought her to tremble.

"Take your clothes off for me, Claire," he asked, the words hoarse with want. "I need you."

"You first," came the coy reply.

Although reluctant to release her, Lachlan pushed away from her and began to untie the ties of his tunic, before lifting it up over his head. His eyes locked on hers, his hands went to the breeches next.

Nothing short of death could pull Claire's eyes from the feast of flesh before her. Lachlan's skin already glistened with perspiration brought from their kiss. His hand trembled slightly as he made quick work at the fastenings at his waist. He pushed the clothes away.

Heat...no, fire in the gaze that met hers, his hand sliding down his stomach to between his legs. A sharp inhale lifted his sculpted chest when he took the jutting length in hand. "’Tis obvious how much I hunger for you, lass." He released it and lifted his eyes to hers. "Now you."

Her mouth went dry in anticipation, as she loosened the stays at her waist and pushed the dress from her shoulders. Lachlan lowered to sit on the bed not taking his eyes from her. He looked at her as if she was the most beautiful woman in the world and she felt as such at his reaction when she removed her shift.

Lachlan's breath hitched, and lips parted while his eyes roamed her body.

She moved to stand between his legs, and his hands encircled her waist. Her back arched when his mouth met with her skin, kissing a path from one hip across to the other.

His fingers moved between her legs slipping into her already wet core and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out. Tremors coursed down her legs when he began to lick a path down to meet his hand. He stopped and looked up to her. "I am going to lay back, come up on your knees until you are directly over my face."

Once on his back, Lachlan guided her until she was positioned where he wanted. Hands on her hips, he held her in place while his mouth feasted on her. The sounds of his suckling soon disappeared as every one of her senses peeked and exploded. She fell over onto the bed, her sex completely on his mouth and still he continued until bringing a second wave of release.

Mewling sounds seeped and she recognized the voice as hers. Without her realizing it, he'd flipped her onto her back; Lachlan climbed over her and took her mouth. Frantic to join with him, she grabbed his bottom. Digging her fingernails into the taut firm muscle, she pulled him closer wrapping her legs around his slender hips at the same time.

More than ready for him, she was completely soaked in want and this time she didn't need time to adjust to his girth. He plunged into her with wild abandon and she urged him to continue. "More! More! Yes."

She slid her hands up his back and began to relax into the motion of lovemaking, the continuous rhythm of the sliding of his cock inside her. Their hard hot breathing and the joining of their bodies melded into a delicious experience.

Lachlan slid his hands under her and lifted her hips off the bed. "Place your legs over my shoulders."

She held onto the headboard rails and did as he asked. The reward was his cock deeper within her. The cords of his neck strained as he continued to drive, Lachlan's movements picking up the tempo. They locked gazes and Claire watched the captivating features tense and eyes glaze over as his heated seed spilled.

The moist skin of his back felt wonderful under her palms when she massaged it. "Lachlan, we are going to marry upon arrival at McDougall keep."

To his credit, he barely tensed and when his eyes met hers, his thoughts were well hidden.

Within moments, she was beside him and coverings lay over her. One arm around her, the other under his head, Lachlan frowned at the ceiling.

"I'd already planned to speak to my brother upon arriving," he started, and then turned to her. "A man is supposed to propose marriage, not the other way around, Claire. I was prepared to do so once I spoke to Ian and Da."

Claire sniffed. "I don't care what either of them say. I've made up my mind."

"Have you?" Lachlan's lips curved. "God save me if I ever make you cross with me."

"I would never harm you," she admitted. "Are you nervous?"

Grim eyes looked to her. "Aye. I betrayed my brother. I was wrong to take you. But I will do what is right, maintain our agreement with your clan."

Air left her. He planned to marry her out of honor. Did he consider her a duty and a burden? Would her presence constantly remind him of betraying his brother?

"What's wrong, Claire?" He must have perceived her apprehension.

"Nothing," she stuttered. "I should return to my chamber."

Lachlan took her mouth once again, but this time she only felt self-reproach.