“I couldnae resist the temptation,” he said, shrugging. “And ye are a bonny lass.”
“Nay, I’m nae.” She turned to face him, and shook her head in embarrassment. “’Twas an interesting experience. However I presume that the husband chosen for me will educate me further in the ways of kissing.” She just wasn’t certain that she would ever experience the same feverish excitement that Duncan triggered in her. Of course, this wasn’t something that she could reveal to him.
“’Tis the way of matrimony,” Duncan said, unaware of the direction of her thoughts. “Your father will choose a suitable laird tae ally with Clan MacGill. And if ye are lucky, your husband will treat ye with kindness, and ye willnae want for anything.”
“What if the laird disnae love me?” she asked before she could stop herself.
He lifted one dark brow in question.
She swallowed, and forced herself to continue, knowing that he waited for her to speak. This worry had bottled up inside of her for so long that it needed to be voiced. Fingal had convinced her father that she was best served as a pawn. Her main role was to help secure an alliance with a more dominant clan. But there was more to life. She was sure of it. And she wanted more, much more. “My biggest concern is that I’ll nae love the man chosen for me,” she said finally.
“A lass must do her duty, and assist her clan.” He raised a hand to touch her, but at the last moment, he checked his gesture. “I’m sure that whoever marries ye will find himself a fortunate man.”
Adrina felt a flush rising to her cheeks, now regretting what she had revealed. She had never told anyone of her dilemma, and it was too much to ask that a highland warrior would sympathize with her troubles. “I suppose ‘tis best tae view marriage the way ye do,” she said, letting out a hollow laugh.
An awkward silence descended upon them. Shifting her body, she felt a need to slide off his lap, and put as much distance between them as possible.
But he stayed her movements.
She stared at the large hand on her arm. The heat from it was palpable, and it seared through the thin material of her shift. When she raised her regard, she discovered him looking back at her, his expression inscrutable.
“If ye desire more education in the ways of kissing, I can help.”
“But ye already kissed me by the loch.”
“Nay, despite what ye think, that smooch was nothing.”
“What are ye saying?” she said warily.
He placed a heavy palm on the side of her face and gently tilted it. “If ye want tae ken a real kiss,” he said, the soft light reflecting off his emerald depths. His large palm slowly ran up and down her spine. “I’ll show ye.”
Adrina held her breath as her gaze dropped to his lips, watching as they came closer and closer. Her eyes fluttered closed just as his mouth grazed hers. An explosion of color flashed behind her closed eyelids. Letting out an involuntary sigh, she allowed her body to melt against his hard contours. Then as if it had a mind of its own, her hand skimmed along his bicep, over his muscular shoulder. For a moment she marveled at his marbled strength before she cupped the back of his head, and yielded to his embrace.
Duncan shifted, fitting her body more firmly against his taunt frame. All the while the energy inside of her body swirled, the electric currents building, growing with each passing second.
Their eyes met, and she knew instinctively that the shock and longing she saw there were reflected in her own gaze. There was no doubt that this kiss would be different from the one she experienced earlier.
“Och, lass, I want ye,” he said, his breathing becoming harsh.
She ran her fingers through the fine hairs at his nape, while an innate yearning began to grow at her center. “I want ye too,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. She knew that she shouldn’t have confessed this, but it was the truth. He invoked something inside her, something that only he could satisfy. Eventually her father and his advisor would choose a husband for her. But for now, she would indulge in whatshewanted. No one had to know. Afterward, her father could marry her off to any old, decrepit laird, and she would do her duty without protest.
“Are ye certain about this?” A glint appeared in his depths, and he searched her eyes as if to discern any form of resistance.
“Aye,” she said, nodding. “I’m certain.”
He searched her one last time, and when he was satisfied with what he saw there, he let out a loud, satisfied groan. Lifting her easily by the hips, he turned her so that she straddled him.
Duncan slid his hands slowly along her legs, pushing at the material of her gown. “Raise your arms,” he commanded softly.
She did as he instructed. Then in one smooth motion, he pulled the thin material over her head.
Tossing the fabric aside, he ran his callused palms along her shoulder, sending a trail of fire to skim across her flesh. His hands circled to her front, cupping her breasts as if he was testing their weight.
“Lovely,” he breathed. Duncan brushed aside the hair at the side of her face, exposing her neck. “Sae perfect.”
He bent his head and stuck out his tongue. Flattening it along the sensitive part of her neck, he dragged it across her feverish skin. A rush of air escaped from her lips as she unconsciously tilted her head to the side. As if he knew the motion affected her, he lingered his scorching lips on the tender spot until a small purr rumbled at the back of her throat.
Suddenly he raised his knees, lifting her small frame. The abrupt movement unbalanced her, and she fell forward, bracing her hands on his shoulders. Putting one hand to support her back, he used the other hand to gently cradle her breast. Then leaning forward, his molten tongue seared the bared tit, circling tightly over her nipple and causing it to pucker. Just when she thought that she couldn’t handle more of the exquisite torture, he opened his mouth and sucked hard on the straining nub. An unrecognizable whimper burst from her as she threw her head back, lost in pure rapture.
