“It was the only way to silence you.”She bristled with outrage. “Silenceme? You took liberties withmy … my … my lips in order to silenceme? That was very impertinent of you,Laird. I won’t allow you to do it again.”6/756He smiled and folded his arms overhis chest. “Aye, you will.”Her mouth gaped open in astonishmentand then worked up and down asshe struggled to speak. “I assure you Iwon’t.”“I assure you that you will.”

“His eyes narrowed. “First, the marriagewill take place. Just as soon as you’ve regained your senses and realize that tis the only sensible option left to you.”When she would have opened her mouthto dispute his assertion, he shocked her by clamping his hand over her mouth.“You will be silent and allow me to finish. I have doubts that you’ve ever been able to hold your silence for more than a moment in your entire lifetime,” he grumbled.She huffed but his hand tightened on hermouth.“I can only assume that my son overheardme speaking to my men of our marriage. If you would have but cautioned him to hold his tongue, he would not have repeated it beyond his question to you. But now, you’ve announced our marriage to the entire clan.Some might even consider it a proposal. In which case, I accept.”He finished with a grin and then steppedback, releasing his hold on her mouth.“Why … you …,” she sputtered. She workedher mouth up and down but nothing wouldcome out.A cheer went up from the crowdassembled.“A wedding!”

“It's the same as if I just handed you a knife and offered you my balls, for God's sake. And I don't even give a fuck. Because I have no pride when it comes to you. There is nothing I wouldn't do or say to make you understand that I love you. I fucking love you. There, I said it. Do you believe me now?" He sounded so pissed off and angry that the admission had been torn from him that she had to battle the smile forming on her lips.”

“I’ll cry if I want to. You will cease orderingme about!”He raised an eyebrow. “You dare to issueme orders?”She flushed, but at least she wasn’t cryingany longer.“Now tell me about this brand on yourthigh. Your father’s crest. I’d like to see it.”176/756She went crimson and she backed up astep until her back met with the ledge of thewindow. “I will not do something so indecentas to show you my leg!”“When we’re married, I’ll see more thanthat,” he said mildly.“Married? Married? I’m not marrying you,Laird. I’m not marrying anyone. Not yetanyway.”

“I love you,” he said fiercely. “ ’Tis not true that I kept a part of my heart locked away from you. You own all of it, lass. You’ve always owned it. I didn’t give it to you. You took it from the very start.”

“Caelen?” “Aye, lass?” “You were right.” “What was I right about?”“Kissing. ’Tis a most wondrous thing.” She could sense his smile.”

“He told me of his desire for us to reside at McInnis Keep for half the year."She glanced anxiously up at him. "Do you mind?"He stopped and turned to face her, gathering he hands in his. "Genevieve, I would agree to six months in hell if it meant being with you."Her cheeks warmed and she smiled, joy spreading like wildfire through her soul."Well, I hope you don't think six months at McInnis Keep is akin to hell," she teased."If I'm with you, anywhere is heaven.”