Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,42

fine sea spray.

Young, enamored, Mildred opened her mouth and caught the taste of it all on her tongue.

This was life.

The very best of life.

Though she grew up fairly close to the Atlantic in America, she’d never experienced anything like this. Now she knew… the ocean spoke.

Caught in color, feeling, emotion, she turned in his arms, her lips turned up to his. Ready, Adlin’s lips crashed down on hers, caught up as much in her as she was in him. He pulled her close and they fell into a mutual, mind-blowing passion, something powerful and rare and all theirs.

His hands threaded through her hair. Her arms wrapped over his shoulders. It was desire, but more… so much more.

It was everything.

Their lips covered one another’s, eager, unrelenting, never-ending. When his tongue met hers, Mildred was lost yet again. The beautiful sunrise, all of it, seemed like nothing when compared with being in his arms. Lips willing, searching, seeking, she lost all concept of time.

Anything to stay in his arms.

Hungry, consuming, they stayed that way as the sun fully crested and tried to distract them with out-in-the-open fiery rays. Hot, direct, it challenged their passion and came up lacking.

It was, as always, Adlin who finally pulled away, his eyes full of desire and need. “We have a whole day ahead of us. I don’t want to waste a minute.”

Mildred blinked and breathed, “Were we?” She gathered herself and licked her lips. “Wasting a minute that is.”

Though Adlin shook his head, he said, “Aye, there’s so much to say and do. Just one day.”

They held hands and stared at one another. She saw that he was distressed and while that made her nervous it also made her need to be strong for him. “Okay,” she said softly. “Sure.”

As though he realized she saw how vulnerable he really was, Adlin stood taller, gathered himself and nodded inland. “Iosbail will be expecting us to break our fast.”

Break our fast? That’s right, it was the medieval period. Breakfast.

“Yes,” Mildred said automatically even though she wasn’t hungry in the least.

“Fine then,” Adlin said.

Before she could move his lips were on hers again, his kiss long and thorough, before he pulled away.

Eyes half closed, she blindly followed him when he took her hand and led her back into the forest. As she followed Adlin, it felt as though she’d walked with him her whole life. The feeling was so strong that she stopped.

“What is it, Mildred?”

Reds and oranges were fading into the forest as she looked at him. “I just had the most overwhelming feeling of… comfort.”

Adlin’s expression warmed. “Of course you did.”

Instead of prying or asking why, he continued to lead her back to the holding. Although early, many were awake. The smell of meat and baked goods hit her nostrils through the cool air. Quiet and welcoming, random people smiled as they entered the courtyard. It felt homey and incredibly natural to be here.

“Weel, ‘tis about time ye showed yer faces!”

Mildred couldn’t help but grin as they approached the front door. Iosbail stood, hands on her hips, long black hair twirling down her chest, expression exasperated but pleased.

“I see you’re feeling right at home, lass,” Adlin said.

“Aye!” Iosbail nodded at the stall. “Just drove one lad that way.” With a quick roll of her eyes and cluck of her tongue, she said, “Ye’d think he thought I’d bit off his ballocks last night for all he ran on the morn.”

Mildred burst out laughing but covered her mouth.

Iosbail’s eyes narrowed seconds before she shrugged and looked at Adlin. “So did you break her in then?”

Laughter froze in her chest.

Iosbail’s eyes stayed on Adlin. “Weel, did ye then?”

Before Adlin said a word, Mildred responded. “He did. Care to be any more crass, Iosbail?”

Eyebrows raised, Iosbail’s eyes grew merry. “I like her.”

Then she turned and vanished inside the keep.

Adlin grinned and shrugged when Mildred looked at him. "She likes you. Great sign, lass."

“Well, thank the Lord,” she responded sarcastically but in good humor. “Where would I be if your sister had issue?”

“Let’s eat and go.” Adlin pulled her inside.

Half an hour later, belly full, he pulled her back out.

The day was warmer than the one before.

Trees swayed, sea salt filled the air.

“What’s that?” she asked and pointed at the bag on his shoulder.

“Supplies.”

Hand in hand, they continued walking for several more minutes. The forest grew thicker but the land turned uphill. “I thought you said we’d reached the northern most point of Scotland.”

“Aye.” He smiled. “But certainly not the highest