“Put that away before you spear me, buttercup.”
Maude dropped the knife, not caring that it clattered to the ground. A figure emerged from the dark, and when Kieran reached for her, she kicked the door shut. Kieran lifted her, and she wrapped her legs around his waist as he pressed her back to the door.
“I recognized you since the light was behind you.” That was the only explanation he offered before their lips met. It was a hungry kiss, but it lacked the recklessness of the last two times they met in secret. There was tenderness where there had been pure lust in the past. “I’ve missed you, buttercup. It’s been a day, but I was so worried aboot you and didn’t see you before I hauled my sister away.”
“I worried aboot you, too. I wanted to follow you but knew it would only make things worse. I felt horribly for you and, honestly, scared for Madeline.”
“I frightened you, little one?” Kieran experienced more remorse than he did when he terrified Madeline. He’d wanted his sister to fear him so that she wouldn’t attempt to defy him any further. But it had never been his intention to intimidate Maude. “I’m sorry you saw that part of my temper. I can’t remember the last time I was that livid. It got the better of me. But I need you to know I never laid a hand on my sister in anger. I don’t hit women.”
“And I never thought you did. It never crossed my mind that you’d hit her. I imagine she tempted you to throttle her, but I feared the amount of anger you held. I’d hate to come across you on the battlefield.” Maude stroked Kieran’s bristled cheeks even though she couldn’t see them. “I missed you, too.”
They sank into another kiss, Maude’s arms wrapped around his neck, her fingers running through his hair as he squeezed her backside. She could feel his cock as it once again strained to find her. However, with her skirt’s many folds of material, she wasn’t spurred on as she had been when there was only the thin layer of his breeks separating them. Kieran moved them to the table in the center of the room, taking tentative steps to avoid slamming Maude into it. When he found it, he seated her on its surface and found the ends of her skirts. His thumbs caressed the sensitive spot on the inside of her ankles before sliding along her calves. He hooked his hands under her thighs and pulled her closer to him.
“Would I shock you if I told you all the things I want to do to you?”
“Not as shocked as you’d be if I told you what I’ve dreamed of.”
Kieran growled as he nuzzled her neck and kissed along it before returning to nibble on her earlobe. His hands remained on her thighs, away from the temptation of sliding to her sheath. Her skin was smoother than anything he had ever touched, but the muscles beneath the skin were toned and strong.
“I want to bury myself inside you, but not before I taste you.”
“And how would you do that?” The purr in Maude’s voice made Kieran recognize it wasn’t an innocent question. Maude knew the answer but wanted to hear it from you.
“I would lick your quim like I was lapping up the finest honey. After I made you writhe and beg for release, I would thrust into you. You’d have to hold onto the other edge of the table to keep from sliding across. I’d hold your hips up, so I reach the deepest edges of your core. I’d ride you until you scream my name then lay insensate as I lean across you, having spilled my seed in you.”
“And if I told you I’d like to lick you like a honey cake, what would you do?”
“Maude,” he warned.
“Only you’re allowed to tease?”
“Aye, but you have far more self-control than I do. Plant such images in my mind, and I will come undone.”
“And you think it’s any easier for me to resist? I want to taste you just as you would me. I would try what I’ve overhead the older women discuss. My mouth aches to feel your cock inside it.”
“Dear God above, Maude. That is the singularly most arousing thing I have ever heard.” Kieran stepped back from the table not trusting himself. “If I keep touching you, you won’t leave here a virgin, my wild buttercup.”
Maude straightened and pushed her skirts down. She wriggled further back onto the table, restless and unsatisfied. She sensed more than saw Kieran pacing in front of her and could tell he was in the same predicament.
“I shouldn’t meet you in secret anymore, Maude. The temptation to take things too far will be my undoing. I don’t want you to fear my interest in you is only to bed you.” Kieran came to stand before her again, and Maude could make out the outline of his broad shoulders from the small amount of light that shone through the crack between the door and its frame. He reached for her hand and held it between his two. “I don’t want your interest to only be aboot bedding me.”
“You fear my feelings are that superficial?” Maude was incredulous.
“This thing between us has moved quickly, and it’s clear we’re physically compatible, but I want more than that with you, Maude. I want something of substance that will last until we are old and gray.” He lifted her hand to his lips and brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I would make my intentions known and be able to court you in the open rather than sneaking around.”
“I’d like that. I spoke with my father yesterday, and he knows that this is what we want.”
“Will you allow me to escort you on your walk tomorrow?”
“Aye. You dined with my father when you returned from Lewis. Would you do it again? With me there this eve?”
“Are you allowed to do that? I mean dine apart from the other ladies.”
“Do you imagine even the king or queen would deny my father? He may rarely use the title, but he’s not just a laird. He’s the Earl of Sutherland. He’s a powerful ally to the king, and my father’s niece and nephews are all godchildren of the king and queen.” Maude shifted uncomfortably for a moment before sharing something that she never discussed with anyone outside her immediate family though her clan knew. “They’re my godparents, too.”
“What? King Robert the Bruce and Queen Elizabeth de Bourgh are your godparents?”
“Aye. I don’t make a fuss of it, since I don’t want anyone to claim the queen plays favorites.”
