The wind, the rain, and the utter misery of the cold were not enough to keep him distracted from the feelings caused by having Kate pressed so closely to him. Warm and soft, the nearness of her flooded his mind with thoughts that made him ache with need. Visions of what she would look like beneath him, pressed even closer together than they were now, filled his mind each time she shifted against him.

Her hair smelled like flowers, and the soft, even rhythm of her breathing was warm against his chest.

What would she do if he tugged ever so gently on that hair as he tilted her head back so he could press his lips to hers like he’d done only a few days before? Would her breathing grow uneven with need like his was now?

Days ago, he wouldn’t have doubted it. She’d enjoyed their shared kiss as much as he had, but now she was colder, more distant, and he couldn’t figure out why.

Had she grown less fond of him after spending more time in his presence? Or was it perhaps the cruelness of Dillon’s words to her that still hindered her confidence?

Whatever it was, he couldn’t wait until they reached the Isle. Once there, he would make it his mission to break through whatever kept her so guarded.

It was nightfall now, and they’d made faster time than he’d expected. They would make it to the Isle by sunrise. For the first time in hours, there was a break in the rain, and he slowed Stella’s pace so they could enjoy the brief respite from the downpour.

“Are ye awake, lass? Do ye need to walk around a bit? If so, ’twould be best to do so now before the rain starts again.”

“No. Keep going.” Her answer came out muffled against his chest. She’d barely moved since they’d started their ride.

“Are ye certain?”

“Yes. I’m just ready to get there. Only stop if the horse needs to.”

In an effort to keep her spirits up, Maddock playfully chided her. “The least ye can do is call her Stella, lass. Ye wouldna like it if I referred to yer beloved Mr. Crinkles as the cat, aye?”

With her head tucked tightly against his chest, she laughed. “You’re right. Ask Stella if she needs to stop for a bit. Otherwise, let’s just get this over with.”

“If Stella needed to rest, she would. She is a loyal and dependable steed, but she has a mind of her own.”

He gathered the reins into one hand so he could reach up to brush her hair back with the other. He’d only meant to check for a fever by gently kissing her forehead, but as his fingers brushed against her cheek, he felt Kate’s breath come more quickly against his chest and he smiled. She still wanted him. Her pulse gave it away. Mayhap she just needed to know that he wanted her, as well, to feel safe enough to open up to him as she had that first night once again.

“I mean to kiss ye just here, lass.” He tapped his thumb gently to the center of her forehead. “To make certain ye’ve still no fever.”

She nodded and lifted her head from his chest just a bit.

He kissed her, but lingered close to her brow as he pulled his lips away.

“No fever. Lass?”

She smiled and every muscle in his stomach coiled. “Mmm?”

“Ye feel bonny, lass. The weather is pure misery, and Stella’s bony back is making my arse ache, but even still, I enjoy the feel of having ye close to me. I’m sorry if the uneven beat of my heart has kept ye awake. Each time I look down at ye, it betrays me by speeding up.”

He expected her to respond in some way—to at least smile and shyly lean into him again—but instead she said the last thing he’d ever expected.

“When we get to the Isle, I want you to take me to meet Machara.”

She might as well have slapped him in the face. His moment of vulnerability had been received with a closed heart.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon. The shoreline and the boat that would take them to the Isle were barely visible in the distance. At least he wouldn’t have to dwell over her rejection of him too much longer.

“While I canna imagine why ye wish to meet her, and while I can think of nothing I wish less than for ye to stand in front of that evil creature, I know such a meeting is inevitable. Ye willna have to wait long.” He pointed to the shoreline. “We are almost there.”