The Highlander's Servant: Book One of the Highlander Possession Series (9 page)

             
Kirstin panicked, remembering her foolish act of falling asleep in the field after she had read another entry to Lachlan’s journal. She quickly sat up from the bed and gazed around the unfamiliar room that lacked any presence but her own.

             
It was most certainly morning because the sun’s rays beamed through the curtains. The light allowed Kirstin to observe the many dressers and shelves against the walls. She took notice to the adornments of fur covers and matching rugs scattered about.

             
Most importantly, Kirstin smelled the faint scent that reminded her of Lachlan. Even though he was not present, she knew without a doubt that she was in his sleeping chambers.

             
She slid off the side of the bed, her feet feeling cool against the wooden floors. There was only one thing on her mind, and that was to leave Lachlan’s chambers before she ran into him.

             
The small blonde tiptoed to the cracked door. She cautiously opened it, knowing that the room was adjoining to Lachlan’s study. Unfortunately for Kirstin, her most feared person sat at the desk near the far wall. He was yet again writing away at papers, but he looked up when Kirstin had opened the door.

             
His eyes slowly raked over her body, making Kirstin cower back. She did not enjoy the way he looked at her, even though her body shivered in pleasure as if disagreeing with her thoughts.

             
“Come here,” he finally said, nodding to the chair across from him, “Sit.”

             
Kirstin hesitantly made her way to the chair. She could remember the last time she had sat in the same chair, and the way he had caressed her cheek lovingly. Only mere minutes after that happened, she had an epiphany of his love for her.

             
His eyes did not leave her shaking form when she sat across from him. The only thing separating Lachlan from Kirstin now, was his desk. He gazed intently at her before asking, “Do ye ken why yer here?”

             
Kirstin frowned, “Aye,” she said full of regret, “I fell asleep in the field.”

             
His gaze was heavy and Kirstin could not read his expression. She assumed that he was beyond furious with her, and immediately rushed, “I apologize for my foolish actions –“

             
“Foolish?” he interrupted her, leaning back into his chair and crossing his arms, “’Tis but an understatement.”

             
Kirstin’s frown deepened and her eyebrows furrowed, but nevertheless, she bowed her head in sorrowful respect.

             
“Yer no’ to leave the manor freely again unless I hear word of it.” He boomed once more, “Do ye understand me, Kirstin?”

             
She did not raise her head to look at him, “Aye.”

             
Lachlan must have stared at her for a long time, because Kirstin could feel his heavy eyes on her. When she finally mustered the courage to meet his gaze again, she saw the distressed look on his face.

             
“I ken ye might be upset with my rules, but ye must understand I do it for yer protection. There are ruthless men in the highlands, Kirstin. ‘Tis no place like yer home beyond the hills.”

             
She gave a curt nod but said nothing. She was clearly feeling regret and was upset not with Lachlan, but herself. The field was her safe haven; it was her place to relax away from her duties that tied her to the manor. She could still have the privilege of going to the field, if she had not fallen asleep in it.

             
Lachlan saw that Kirstin was internally battling with herself, and interrupted her thoughts, “I willna keep ye any longer. Yer free to leave, but report to Alana for she has been waiting for ye to go into town.”

             
A small smiled etched its way onto her lips, as Kirstin felt relief that Lachlan was still allowing her to go into town with her friend. Even though it was apart of her duties, she was sure that he would deny her the opportunity.

             
Before she made leave, Lachlan said lowly, “And ye better no’ do anything foolish.”

             
Kirstin acknowledged his words, and then left.

Chapter Ten

“How are ye this early morn
’, Kirstin?” asked Graham, who stood casually by the stand from which she shopped.

             
Kirstin had not separated from Alana in town for even two minutes, before he made his presence known. Dressed in tight slacks and a loose fitting shirt, it was hard to miss his handsome self otherwise. The only downside to it all was that Kirstin was not interested in the man, but he persisted in talking to her at such a close proximity.

             
“I would be a lot better if ye would leave me be.” She snapped at him, barely glancing in his direction.

             
Graham put a hand to his heart and feigned hurt, “Is that all ye have to say to me?”

             
“Aye.” Was her curt reply. She only wished that he would get the hint this time, but there was no such luck. The man just wouldn’t give up on gaining her affection.

             
“That really wounds me.” He stated honestly. When Kirstin made to walk away, he blocked her path. Her eyes squinted in a glare, a crease forming at her forehead to only show her frustration all the more.

             
Graham smirked, enjoying her reaction, “Mayhap, ye will reconsider my earlier proposition and join my clan instead?”

             
If possible, the crease above her brow deepened, “Nay, I’ve already told ye that I have no interest in yer clan, or ye.”

             
She made to step around him, but he easily sidestepped to block her path again, “Ye haven’t even met my clan? Whose to say that ye won’t like them more?”

             
Kirstin put a hand to each of her hips, “Ye canna bother some other girl? Surely there are many others that would gain yer affection.”

             
“Nay,” Graham eagerly replied, bringing his face closer to her own, “For none of them are as equal to yer beauty.”

             
“Certainly, there is a lady that will catch yer eye. Mayhap, if ye looked first?” She retorted. It seemed that the more irritated she became, and the more rude replies she gave, Graham only became all the more determined.

             
Graham grinned back at her, “I did look, and I found ye.”

             
“Well then,” Kirstin huffed, jumping around him, “Ye did not look hard enough.” And with that said, she briskly walked away from him.

             
Kirstin’s constant rejections provoked Graham, but something about the way their most recent conversation ended erupted a new feeling in him. Anger? Envy? Or perhaps jealousy in the case that she rejected him because her heart beat for another?

             
The red-haired man tensed at that last thought. His eyes became dangerously dark as he stared after her retreating form. Whatever this new feeling may be, Graham did not enjoy it. He had finally snapped, the realization of her rejections hitting him hard. If Kirstin was not one for sharing his feelings, then there was only one solution that came to his tormented mind.

             
To make her.



              Alana had made Kirstin put everything away by herself when they returned to the manor. She had promised the young blonde that if she were to do that one simple task, she could have the next hour to spare for an early lunch.

             
Kirstin would have naturally made her way to the field to read Lachlan’s journal during the free time, but refrained from doing so. She remembered Lachlan’s strict words and promised him she wouldn’t disobey, but that did not stop a thought from striking her.

             
She had no idea what happened to the journal. Lachlan did not speak of it, and she did not see it when she had awoken. The only explanation of the leather-bound book was that she had left it out by the field.

             
Fear and regret struck Kirstin hard. The last thing she wanted was to lose the precious object, especially since she was not the rightful owner.Would Lachlan notice if she escaped to the field momentarily, to look for the journal? She hoped not.

             
The blonde did not waste much more time thinking about the chances of him discovering her disappearance, and instead hastily left the kitchen. She quickly made her way towards the trees, scanning the area of any wondering gazes. Luckily, most of the men were sparring in the fields in front of the manor, and not behind it.

             
Which only made her wonder why they were sparring at all? If Lachlan was taking them to battle, she had heard no such words spoken on the matter. She made a mental note to ask another servant when she returned.

             
Nevertheless, she finished the distance to the field and gazed over the tall grass and flowers. Not seeing any sign of the journal, Kirstin hurried to the spot where she had fallen asleep.

             
She knelt down on two knees, and threw her hands out in front of her. She swiftly searched the grass, and frowned as she sooner than later realized that the journal was not there.

             
Perhaps someone had taken it?

             
Giving up after a solid ten minutes of searching, Kirstin stood up. She brushed off her dress of any traces of dirt, and turned around to walk back.

             
Only to come face to face with dark eyes, crossed arms, and firm lips.

             
Needless to say, Kirstin had been caught by no other than Lachlan himself.

Chapter Eleven

              A person could easily detect the fear that Kirstin felt at that very moment, and the rage that Lachlan expressed. No doubt, anyone in Kirstin’s situation would say something, scream, or perhaps even run away. Unfortunately, Kirstin did not have much time to react, if any time at all. Lachlan had reached for her arm, grabbing her roughly, and began to drag her away.

             
She clumsily followed, all the while tripping in the struggle to keep up with his long strides. He grit his teeth, but said nothing, as he pulled her behind him, back to his manor. His hand was tight against her upper arm, and by the roughness of his grasp, she knew that she was completely and utterly doomed.

             
It seemed like mere minutes before he had shoved her into his study. Lachlan had slammed the door shut before Kirstin even had the chance to compose herself. By the time Kirstin regained her balance and stood upright, she made no haste to turn around to face Lachlan. Her body was tense, stiff even, and her eyes were shut tight.

             
Lachlan took slow, heavy steps from behind her. He stopped when his chest was firmly pressed against her back. If at all possible, Kirstin tensed more.

His lips found her ear, which only made a shiver rake up and down her body. His hands had found her shoulders and he held her in place, “Ye have disobeyed me.”

Kirstin swallowed hard at his statement. She swore she could feel him nibble her earlobe briefly, as if tasting her fear, and then with one swift movement Lachlan turned her around. He held her only inches away while his lips trailed down to her neck.

“What is
yer excuse? Speak now or forevermore be punished for yer disloyalty.” He threatened, his lips meeting the skin of her neck. His teeth grazed the sensitive spot there.

Kirstin opened her mouth only for no words to come out. She stuttered momentarily and then shut her mouth tightly.
Lachlan smirked against her neck, only to bring his head back up to look at her face.

“Do ye have no excuse then?” he said lowly, and in almost a joking tone? One of his hands left her shoulder to take her chin between his fingers. He tilted her face up to his, “Open
yer eyes, Kirstin.”