The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (7 page)

Only a second passed before he set the pen down and his dark eyes looked up to her. Kirstin immediately began to stutter, “A-Alana said that you w-wanted to speak t-to me?”

“Aye.” His voice was low when he spoke. Then, Lachlan motioned to an empty chair that was across from him. Comprehending, Kirstin slowly walked to it. She set the tray down upon his desk, careful not to drop it, and then took a seat awkwardly in the chair.

“How is yer stay within my home?” he asked, his gaze not once straying from her’s.

Kirstin, feeling more relaxed now, grinned lightly, “
’Tis fine.”

Lachlan did not seem satisfied by her answer, and asked almost worriedly, “Are the other servants treating ye well?”

“Aye.” She said, “They donna spare much attention to me which is fine. Alana has shown me much kindness, though.”

He gave a curt nod, but seemed to still not be gratified by her words, “Are ye happy?” he finally asked, a bit breathlessly.

This made a frown etch on her lips, “As happy as any servant can be.” She was blunt, but honest in her reply. Living under Lachlan’s rules within his home, and being taken away from her own kin, was a hard transition. Nevertheless, she tried to make the best of it. But, happy? Kirstin was not entirely so. She was more content than anything else.

A foreign look crossed Lachlan’s face, one that Kirstin did not recognize. Sympathy? Regret? Or perhaps it was just the strain from all of his paperwork and duties as a laird?

“I hope yer no’ still startled from the night before?” he asked once more, referring to his rage and the scared look that had come across her face upon involving herself in the matter.

“Nay,” the lie escaped her lips before she could think better of it. She instantly regretted it, knowing that her timid behavior of him and short replies were enough proof that she was still shaken.

Lachlan abruptly stood from his chair and walked around the desk. Kirstin watched with wide eyes as he knelt down in front of her and reached a calloused hand to push a strand of hair back that had fallen from her ribbon. He did not stop there; letting his hand stroke the side of her face and barely brushing her lips before he drew it back to his side.

“
Yer eyes say otherwise.” He whispered lowly, “Donna lie to me, Kirstin.” Then he paused, and seemed to refrain from reaching out to her again, “Ever.” The last word was harsh and made a shiver go down her spine.

Kirstin gulped, nodding once to show that she understood him.
Approval shown on his expression, which made her relax instantly. Lachlan took her reaction of relief as a chance to caress the side of her face once more, before standing up.

“
’Tis all.” He said in a changed tone, “Yer free to leave now.”

Lachlan walked back to his chair and took a seat, ignoring the dazed and confused look on Kirstin’s face. In seconds, he had begun to write again. Though, she observed how tense he had become and the crease in his brow, whic
h only supported her conclusion that he was stressed.

She stood from her chair and gave him one last look before walking to the door. As she was about to shut it, Lachlan spoke
abruptly, “And Kirstin?”

She quickly turned around to find him looking at he
r with a stern look, “Yes, my Lai-. I mean, Lachlan?”

He looked at her for what felt like minutes, even though she knew it had not been nearly that long.

“Donna venture far more past the field from which ye read.” His tone was strict.

Kirstin, even more appalled that he had been watching her, could not say anything. Her body began to shake, and she nodded again before leaving his study.
As she shut the door, Kirstin pressed her back against the adjacent wall and exhaled a shaky breath that she had not known she was holding.

Her suspicions had been confirmed. The black horse, and heavy gaze on her shoulders as she read, belonged to no other than Lachlan.
Not only that, but it feared her how affectionate he had been towards her only moments ago. His touch was like wild fire, making her feel like prey caught in the grasp of its predator. What frightened her the most, was that everything was beginning to click.

Kirstin was beginning to realize the feelings that the most fearsome highlander of the lands was feeling for her. The one word that
could explain why Lachlan was showing affection towards her and why he had made her a servant of his manor, could only be explained as love.

And Kirstin couldn’t have been more afraid.

Chapter Eight

             
For days, Kirstin avoided Lachlan. Whenever the laird would come near to approaching her, she would scurry off to another room. At least twice now, had Lachlan demanded her presence but both times Kirstin had come up with an excuse to be sent back to him through Roderick. It was evident that Lachlan’s patience was wearing.

Kirstin became more involved in her duties, often a time taking on extra chores so that Lachlan would not take advantage of her spare time. She had also been keeping her daily routine of going into town with Alana.

Graham had been making his presence quite known, making small talk and trying to get to know her better, but she was not having any of it. Kirstin frequently gave him a cold shoulder and would turn away, only to have the arrogant man follow after her. Needless to say, the young blonde was relieved every time Alana and her would make leave. Though, it seemed that every time Kirstin walked away from Graham to return to the manor, he would have a set look on his face. It was a look of frustration and determination, but she spared him little thought.

             
It was one particular morning that Alana and Kirstin had returned to the kitchen of Lachlan’s great manor, that they had found Roderick waiting for them. The young brown-haired squire was leaning against one of the stone counters, his knee bent, and a smirk across his lips.

             
“Good morning, sir.” Alana had greeted him, but she soon noticed that he was not looking at her and instead at Kirstin. His intense gaze was set on the blonde, “Kirstin.” He said, holding a hand up and motioning for her to come towards him.

             
She set down the few items that she had been carrying and hesitantly walked over to Roderick. He stood up from his leaning position and brought his face close to her own, “The laird is upset with ye.”

             
Kirstin’s mouth had fallen agape and she questioned, “He is?”

             
Roderick’s smirk seemed to grow and he nodded his head once, “Aye. Ye have been avoiding him, and he has taken notice.” Kirstin frowned. Though, her obvious discomfort did not keep him from asking, “Why have ye been avoiding him?”

             
By now, Alana and the other servants had stopped what they were doing within the kitchen to watch their conversation. Kirstin’s only reaction was her failure to speak. She stuttered for nearly a minute, unsure of how to answer his question. How could she possibly explain to him her earlier realization? Not only was it embarrassing, but also it was inappropriate!

             
This made Roderick smile all too knowingly, “’Tis what I thought.” Then he winked at her, “Well, ye better start thinking of a better answer than that because the laird is on his way right now.” Before Kirstin could object to his statement, the door to the kitchen opened abruptly.

             
“Speak of the devil…” Roderick trailed, patting a hand on her shoulder and making his leave, his smirk not faltering.

Kirstin gulped and squeezed her eyes shut. She only hoped that she was having a nightmare and that she would wake up from it momentarily. It was only when Lachlan’s words cut through the room, his tone booming, that she knew she
was surely not dreaming, “Everyone makes leave except for Kirstin.”

Kirstin could hear the shuffling of feet from around her and could hear Alana snicker in the distance. When the several servants had left the room, Kirstin opened her eyes and turned around.

              A gasp escaped from her rosy lips as she came face to face with Lachlan. He had closed the distance between them and stood but a foot away from her. The most frightening part was his glaring eyes and the distinct sneer that had made its way to his face.

             
Lachlan was furious.

             
Kirstin gulped once more, and shakily took a step back only to have him follow her. The actions were repeated several more times before she had pressed herself against the edge of a counter. Lachlan came so close to her that their chests were just barely touching.

             
“I can explain.” Kirstin rushed. She already knew what he wanted to know, due to Roderick’s brief warning.

             
His eyes seemed to grow darker and his voice was lowered several pitches as he growled out through clenched teeth, “Can ye now?”

             
The timid girl nodded, “Aye.”

             
“Please,” he said, “Please do, Kirstin. For whenever my presence is known, ye rush to another room. When ye see me in the hall, ye turn the corner. And when I demand yer appearance, ye donna show. Why have ye been avoiding me?”

             
“Because,” she breathed, “I have been busy with my duties as a servant.”

             
Kirstin was naturally a good liar but something crossed Lachlan’s face, telling her that he had caught the lie. He pressed his body harder against hers and brought his lips to her ear. His breath tickled her, causing shivers to rake down her spine.

             
“What have I told ye about lying to me?” he whispered lowly.

             
Kirstin was speechless. The person who she feared most had caught her, and the worst part was that she was trapped between his body and the counter.

             
“Care to try again?” he whispered once more. Heat was radiating from his body, and she knew that he was fuming.

             
“Nay,” Kirstin choked, “I canna.” By now, she could feel the frustration welt up inside of her. How could she explain to him that she knew how he felt towards her? It was
wrong
. He was her laird, and she was his servant. Surely nothing good would come out of it?

             
Something in him changed after she said those words. His body relaxed and his shoulders dropped. She could feel his breath trailing lower, to the area of her neck below her ear, “Is it,” he began, “because of this?”

             
At that very moment, Lachlan did not hesitate to press his lips against her bare neck. It was a tender kiss, one that was soft to her skin. He did it again, trailing lower, and then another time. When Kirstin did not object, even though it was from shock, he took her silence as a sign to continue.

             
His lips parted just briefly, enough for the kiss to become wet and more passionate. Kirstin found herself instinctually wrapping her arms around him, pressing him more into her.

             
She could feel Lachlan grin against the kiss when she did that, approving of her reaction. The heated moment lasted only a few more minutes, even though it felt like hours, before he finally withdrew.

             
Lachlan nuzzled his chin atop of her head, and held her close to his strong body. His bulging arms wrapped around her in the hug, and Kirstin only felt protected in his embrace. As wrong as it was for them to be together, it only felt so right.

             
Finally, Lachlan placed a sweet kiss to her head and whispered, “I ken why ye have been avoiding me so.” And then with two more firm words, he said, “No more hiding from me.”

             
He let go of her after that. Kirstin almost whimpered when his arms left her body, which not only surprised her but also terrified her.

             
As Lachlan spared her one last glance, he left the room. She stood frozen in place, stunned at what had just happened between them. Most importantly, Kirstin found herself astonished by how she had melted into him like butter. She had never responded towards any man as she did with Lachlan.

             
Alana and the other servants filed back into the room after that. Alana slowly approached Kirstin, asking, “What happened?”

             
Snapping out of her thoughts, she met the old woman’s gaze.

             
“I,” Kirstin began, but could not finish her sentence. It was obvious to the others that she was shaken from nerves. In an instant, Kirstin ran out outside through the backdoor of the kitchen.