Page 102 of Under the Laird’s Promise

He joined her, close enough that their thighs pressed together. Rain lashed the forest beyond their shelter, but inside, they remained dry and warm.

Maighread leaned against him, her head on his shoulder. "Thank ye."

"Fer what?"

"Fer staying. Fer being stubborn and refusing tae leave even when it would be safer." She turned her face into his neck. "Fer being ye."

His arm came around her, holding her close. "Thank ye fer dragging me intae this madness in the first place."

They sat in comfortable silence, listening to the storm rage. Eventually, Maighread shifted, angling herself to look at him properly.

"Tavish?"

"Aye?"

Heat flooded her cheeks, but she forced the words out. "D'ye remember what ye said? About me having tae beg?"

His breath caught. "Lass⁠—"

"I'm begging." Her voice came out smaller than she intended, uncertainty warring with need. "Please. I want…" She faltered, unsure how to voice what burned through her.

His hand cupped her jaw, tilting her face up. "What dae ye want, Maighread? Tell me."

"I dinnae ken how tae say it." Frustration colored her words. "I just… I need ye. Need more than what we had last night. Need…" She trailed off, her cheeks burning.

Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by something darker. Hungrier. "Ye trust me?"

"Aye."

"Then let me take care of ye." His thumb stroked her lower lip. "Let me show ye what I've been thinking about fer weeks. But ye have tae surrender control, lass. Can ye dae that?"

Her breath came faster. The idea terrified and thrilled her in equal measure. "I… aye. I think so."

"Good girl." His mouth found hers, the kiss slow and thorough. When he pulled back, his eyes had gone dark with intent. "Lie down."

She obeyed, settling onto the cave floor. Her heart hammered against her ribs as Tavish knelt beside her, his hands moving to the laces of her riding clothes.

"If ye want me tae stop," he murmured, working the fastenings loose, "ye say so. Understood?"

"Aye."

He peeled away fabric, exposing her to the cool air. Maighread resisted the urge to cover herself, to hide from his intense gaze. When she moved to do so anyway, he caught her wrists gently.

"Nay. Let me look at ye." His voice had gone rough. "Ye’re beautiful, Maighread. Every inch of ye."

She swallowed hard, nodding. Her skin felt too hot, too tight.

Tavish released her wrists, his hands skimming down her sides. "I'm going tae kiss ye now. Starting here." His fingers traced her collarbone. "And working me way lower. Very, very slowly."

"Tavish—"

"Shh. I told ye, let me take care of ye." His mouth descended, pressing a kiss to the hollow of her throat. "All ye have tae dae is feel."

He kept his word, kissing a path down her body with maddening leisure. Each touch of his lips sent sparks racing across her skin. When his mouth closed over her breast, Maighread's back arched involuntarily, a gasp escaping her.

"That's it," he murmured against her skin. "Dinnae hold back. Let me hear ye."

His hands moved lower, sliding between her thighs. She tensed instinctively.