Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1) by Sky Purington Page B

the least of it.”
    “The least?” she said weakly but quickly regrouped. Colin certainly had more nerve than Trevor. Or she was finally meeting the man he’d always been. “You have a funny way of trying to endear yourself to me right now.”
    Without her permission, Colin sat on the bed. Though she tried to pull it away he took her hand. Larger and rougher than what she was used to, she closed her eyes and tried to control her thundering heart. So this is what a weapon-calloused hand felt like.
    “McKayla,” he whispered.
    When she opened her eyes it was to a magnificent man staring at her with desire. Was it as Caitlin said…did he truly love her? Though he’d pushed her away, had Trevor remained interested in more than just friendship? It seemed likely based on the look in his eyes now. She started to snatch her hand away but stopped. Despite her anger, she didn’t want to wound him further. At least not right now. She cleared her throat. “Please answer my questions.”
    “Aye, I suppose I better.” He shook his head. “Some would say mine is a long story but after spending time in the twenty-first century, I’ve learned better than most how to simplify.” He gave her a careful look. “Are you ready then?”
    McKayla doubted she’d ever be ready but nodded regardless.
    “I was born in the Christian year twelve hundred and twenty-six. Born too early, some said the gods were in a rush to get me here and that I’d serve a greater purpose than most. The way I see it, my early arrival just put my Ma through more worry than needed. But there I was, bairn of Iain and Arianna MacLomain. Bairn to the former chieftain and in line to become laird after Ferchar’s nephew William.”
    The author in her couldn’t help but ask, “Wouldn’t William’s son become laird next?”
    “Typically, but Adlin MacLomain made it clear that Iain’s son was to rule for a time. Aye, William’s son would get his chance in due time.”
    “And Adlin, of course, was obeyed as he’d all but birthed your clan.”
    “Aye, lass. If Adlin had stipulations before he left, they were heeded.”
    “So did you become chieftain or is William…still alive?”
    “William lives,” Colin responded with a deep frown. “And none too pleased with me, I’m sure.”
    Intrigued despite the remarkable circumstances she’d been thrust into, McKayla said, “Clearly, so is Ferchar. What did you do to upset him besides the obvious?”
    Colin scowled, obviously recalling the paralyzed state Ferchar had inflicted on him. “That’s a loaded question, lassie. But my guess is I upset him by fleeing on the day William declared he wished me to take over.” He shrugged, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. “Then there were the verra reasons I left.”
    “Reasons? Plural?”
    “Aye.” Colin slowly entwined their fingers, the action so subliminal she barely noticed…until she did. The motion kicked her heart into high gear again. He seemed to notice the affect he was having on her because his next words were huskier than before. “I didnae want to lead the MacLomains quite yet. Only twenty-five winters, I craved excitement beyond the everyday life of overseeing a castle and leading men into battle. I wanted more.” His words grew almost too soft to hear. “Then there were the lasses.”
    The romance writer in her could only imagine the amount of lasses Colin would attract. Too many for her taste. She experienced a distressing mix of curiosity and jealousy. “I’m sure you handled the lasses just fine.”
    He rubbed the back of his neck and again shook his head. “Nay, I left one at the altar and the other—” His eyes met hers. “In Cape Cod.”
    Her heart nearly skidded to a halt. It was an easy thing to forget she still spoke to the man she’d always known as Trevor, that they’d spent so much time together. Here. Not there. He’d been here with her while simultaneously being there? “How?” she started but answered her own