“No.” He shoved a hand over her mouth. “Don’t you dare speak words of love to me.” He raised a brow. “Can I safely remove my hand?”
She pried his fingers away, one by one. “Sorry, clearly I’ll need to learn to watch what I say in the future.”
“Thank you.” He motioned toward Iain. “Give him a calm-me-down kiss. That’d be helpful.”
She turned to Iain. “I’m sorry, but I really love chocolate.”
“You’re not the one who needs to apologize.” Fists clenched at his sides, his breath whistled out between tight lips. “You warned me your relationship with Daniel was tight. I don’t mean to overreact. Just give me some more time to come to grips with the closeness of your bond.”
“Truly?”
“Aye, truly, although a calm-me-down kiss wouldn’t go a—”
“Excuse me.” The waitress had returned, a smile on her face as she took the cleared plates away and another waitress set desserts before them all.
Isla swiveled her plate around to further appreciate the slice of gooey chocolate cake, a mound of hot fudge ice cream and wedges of dark and milk chocolate protruding from a swirl of rich chocolate mousse.
Across from her, Finlay spooned apple shortcake into his mouth and Kirk licked his lips as he eyed his apricot crumble drizzled with cream. Daniel thanked the waitress for his strawberry cheesecake and Iain stirred sugar into a cup of strong black coffee, no dessert in sight.
“Do you not like a sweet treat after a meal?” She plucked a wedge of milk chocolate from the mousse and ate it.
“I rarely eat anything sweet.”
“Wow. That’s almost a crime.” She scooped ice cream into her mouth and sighed as the decadent confection slid over her tongue and sent her taste-buds dancing. “You have to try this.” She offered him a spoonful and when he opened his mouth, she slipped it inside then waited until he’d swallowed. “It’s good right?”
“It’s very sweet.” He leaned in, his mouth a whisper from hers. “But I’d rather taste it directly from your lips.”
“I don’t like sharing my chocolate. You’re lucky you got the spoonful you did.”
“Is that right?” His eyes gleamed with mischief, all sign of his frustration slipping away.
“That wasn’t a dare.”
“Sounded like it to me, my little bear.”
Iain sipped his coffee, his gaze on his woman. He’d missed out on five precious years with her and everything within him demanded he make back some of that time, however he could. Definitely time for an escape. From the moment they left this tavern, it’d be just the two of them. He’d ensure it.
Meals finished, he walked outside and held the front passenger door open for her. She slid inside, buckled up and while she did, he joined his brothers and Daniel on the pavement. “I’m taking her out to the cabin.”
“A good idea.” Finlay squeezed his shoulder. “Kirk and I’ll ride with Daniel back to the inn. We’ll pick your car up for you and take it back.”
“I’d appreciate that. Isla left it locked up with the key inside, although I have a spare one on me.” He removed the key from his chain and passed it to Finlay.
“Take as much time as you need. We’ll see you when you return.” Finlay jumped into the rear of Daniel’s SUV while Kirk took the front seat beside Daniel.
“Where are they going?” Isla asked him as he eased in behind the wheel and started the engine.
“It’s time for that escape I promised you. They’re going to pick up my car and take Daniel for a tour of Ivanson Castle. They’ll look after him before he heads back.”
“So, where are we headed?” She lowered the window and the fresh breeze ruffled her silky long locks, the same exact shade of the rich chocolate mousse she’d enjoyed.
“Somewhere very special.” He drove out of the village and along the winding highway edged on one side by the forest and on the other the rolling moors. “It’ll be just the two of us for a while.”
“And what makes this place so very special?” She rested her hand on his upper thigh, her fingers curled snugly around his leg.
“Five years ago, my brothers and I built a cabin deep in the woods on Matheson land. It’s a retreat of sorts. We thrive being amongst our clansmen, but sometimes it’s necessary for us to be alone, to strengthen our bonds as brothers.” He covered her hand with his. “We fish in the stream, allow our bears to roam, that sort of thing.”