"I'm goin'to destroy him," he growled, and the violence in his voice should have terrified her, but instead sent heat rushing through her veins. "I'm goin' to tear down everythin' he's builtand make him understand exactly what he's lost. Make him regret every cruel word he ever said to ye."
"Ewan."
"Ye're nae worthless.Ye're nae any of the things he said." Ewan's other hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone. "Ye're brave and kind and beautiful, and any man would be lucky to have ye. And yer uncle is a blind fool who deserves everythin' that's comin' to him."
Maia's breath caught.She should say something. Should respond to the fury and the unexpected praise and the way he was looking at her like she mattered.
But before shecould form words, Ewan was kissing her.
It was desperate and claiming,his mouth moving against hers with an intensity that stole her breath and her thoughts and any remaining sense of propriety.
Maia madea small sound of surprise, then sighed in surrender, and then she was kissing him back just as passionately. Her hands came up to fist in his shirt, pulling him closer, and she felt his arm wrap around her waist, hauling her against his body.
This is wrong.This is madness. I shouldnae want this.
But she did want it.Wanted him. Wanted this heat and hunger and the way he kissed her like she was precious instead of worthless.
Her fingers duginto his back, nails scraping against the warm skin beneath his shirt. She felt the ridges of his muscles, the strength coiled beneath, and her grip tightened, drawing a deep groan from him that vibrated against her lips.
His hands were justas demanding, sliding down to grip her ass, pulling her flush against him. She could feel the hard ridge of his erection pressing into her, a promise of what was to come. Her hips rolled instinctively, seeking friction, her body already aching with need.
He shovedher gently but firmly against the nearest boulder, the cold stone biting through her gown. She gasped as her back met the unyielding surface, her breath coming in short, ragged bursts.
He didn't giveher time to recover, his mouth trailing down her neck, leaving a path of fiery kisses. His teeth grazed her skin, nipping and sucking, creating bruises she knew she'd wear with pride later. She fisted his hair, tugging his head lower, urging him to continue.
With a rough tug,he lifted her gown, baring her breasts to the cool mountain air. His mouth closed over one stiff nipple, his teeth tugging gently, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to her core.
She whimpered,her sensitive folds clenching around the emptiness, her thighs slick with anticipation. His fingers slid inside her shift, brushing against the soaked cotton. She bucked against his touch, silent pleas on her lips, her body begging for more.
He obliged,his rough fingers circling her wet folds, teasing her with slow, deliberate strokes.
She gasped his name,her voice echoing against the jagged peaks surrounding them. His fingers slipped inside her, two of them, curling deep, finding that sweet spot that made her see stars.
She rode his hand,her hips moving in rhythm, her juices gushing over his knuckles. Moans spilled from her lips, wild and uninhibited, the sound of her pleasure mingling with the rustle of the wind.
Then his mouthfound her core, his tongue teasing her. Just as the first tremors of her orgasm began to build, he pulled away, leaving her trembling on the edge.
She snarled in frustration,her body arching off the boulder, desperate for release. He smirked, a devilish glint in his eye, as if enjoying her torment.
"Ewan,"she gasped, her voice ragged with need. "Please?—"
"Please what, lass?"His voice was dark velvet, his hand sliding up her inner thigh in a maddeningly slow caress. "Tell me what ye want."
"I want—"Her breath caught as his fingers traced patterns on her sensitive skin. "I want ye."
"Ye have me."He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear. "But I'm nae finished with ye yet."
His mouth foundhers in a searing kiss, swallowing her whimper of frustration. She could taste herself on his lips, and the intimacy of it made her core clench with renewed desire.
Her hands fistedin his hair, pulling him closer, deeper, trying to convey with touch what words couldn't express. When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard.
Maia's eyeswere dark with want, her lips swollen from his kisses, and Ewan felt his control slip another notch at the sight of her—wild and wanton and absolutely beautiful.
"I want to touch ye,"she whispered, her hands sliding down from his hair to his chest, feeling the hard muscle beneath his shirt. "I want to taste ye the way ye tasted me."
Ewan's breath caught,his eyes flashing with heat. "Maia?—"
"Please."Her fingers found the lacings of his trews, trembling slightly but determined. "Let me."
