Page 20 of Taken By the Savage Highlander

Margo slowed, but did not stop. Sweeping gusts battered the land. The cliffs themselves seemed to be upset. It was as though they were trying to eject both of them from the earth.

Then, as if in slow motion, Margo’s horse slipped. Her hoof landed on uneven terrain. The wind roared, strong enough to push Margo in her seat.

Before he could think, Cameron was rushing forward. As the mare steadied herself, he grabbed onto Margo with both hands, hauling her from the saddle. As soon as he ahd pulled her away from the edge, he dismounted, putting both hands on her shoulders and steadying her on the ground.

His hands slid over her body, checking her for any injuries. Her chest rose and fell heavily, but she did not push him off. It seemed that the shock of what had just happened had rendered her completely speechless.

“Have ye lost yer mind?!” he demanded, his furious relief coming out as anger. “I told ye.”

“I am fine,” Margo said, instantly dismissing the danger she had been in as soon as she could get her voice to work.

“Fine?” he snapped, his hands stalling on her elbows. “Ye werenae fine! Ye were one step away from breakin’ yer neck. If it hadnae been for me and the horse’s skill⁠—”

“I was righted before you pulled me off,” she countered, her face flushing with the power of her indignation. “And if you truly didn’t want me to come, you did not have to follow!”

“I allowed ye to come and I followed ye because I kent ye would come alone if I told ye nay,” Cameron countered harshly. “If I hadnae come with ye, nay one would have kent if somethin’ were to happen to ye! Ye could come back to the castle heavily injured or not at all!”

“It would have spared me a lecture!” she smiled back at him, her own anger dissipating so rapidly that it left her shaken.

There is nay way that she is truly smilin’. She’s wind-beaten and nearly lost her life, and she’s smilin’!

“Are ye tryin’ to provoke me?” he growled, his hands moving to her waist.

She went quiet, as if she were processing his touch. That damned smile was still fixed upon her lips, though. It was infuriating.

Somewhere below, the sea crashed against the jagged rocks at the base of the cliff. Margo’s breathing came faster now, her pink lips parting. They were so close that he could feel the warmth of each breath she exhaled.

His gaze settled on her wind-battered lips, her mouth still carved in this teasing smile. She never seemed to stop challenging him, even when she was scared, even when he was sure that she knew better. Worst of all, that pretty mouth somehow made him want things that he had spent years denying himself.

Slowly, painstakingly, he dragged his eyes up to hers. She was watching him with open interest, her hazel eyes calling to him even louder than the howling wind. When a curl fell loose from her braid, sweeping in front of her face, she didn’t even flinch.

He reached forward, still letting his body guide his actions rather than his mind. As he tucked the hair behind her ear, his knuckle skimmed the soft skin there. She gasped softly, a tiny shiver running through her body; and that tiny reaction was enough to break him.

For days, Cameron had avoided her, found reasons to be out of the castle or locked in his study. For days now, he had vacated the chambers that had belonged to him. For days, he had convinced himself that what he was doing was protecting her…and himself.

But I daenae ken if this will be any better.

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a claiming kiss. His hands tightened on her waist, hard enough to leave bruises through the layers of fabric, and he brought her closer. The world seemed to narrow down around them, down to her, down to this moment.

The wind whipping around them created a bubble for them. The sea crashing wildly below matched the storm in his mind. He could still envision the way she’d looked at him; and the way she felt in his arms, the way she moaned lightly at his touch, was enough to drive him crazy.

Licking into her mouth, driving the kiss even deeper, he couldn’t care less about the contract. The Clan was the last thing on his mind. He even forgot about himself as he pressed in closer, trying to consume every bit of her, needing to have her completely.

He no longer cared about the fall Margo nearly took nor the way the salt spray from the sea was wetting their clothes. He wanted to take her, to claim every inch of her right here. She was his wife, after all.

As she melted further into him, he remembered exactly why she was his wife. He had taken her in exchange for a bargain, to make good on a debt owed to his clan. While she might have been kissing him because she wanted him, it could all be because of the duty she felt she owed him.

That she had no choice.

Cameron kissed Margo harder, his tongue dominating her mouth shamelessly. Her tongue met his, hesitant at first, getting more confident as the seconds ticked by. She was learning, trying to match his own enthusiasm.

Do I even care about the difference when she feels like this in me hands? Me father wouldnae.

The thought hit him abruptly. He jerked away, breaking the kiss and looking down at Margo with dawning horror. He would become his father, if he did not stop right now. He drew a shaky breath and steadied himself. He would not touch her again.

There was no way to know if she truly wanted his touch. She was here under duress. He would keep her safe, even if that meant keeping her safe from himself.

Without speaking, he rested a hand on her elbow and turned her around. With a gentle push, he guided her to her horse. Then, as gently as he could, he helped her into his saddle.