Maisie's lips curved in a reluctant smile. "And would ye now? Or are ye afeared ye might get caught looking at me too long?"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice just above a whisper. "I daenae fear being caught, Maisie. The only thing I fear is if ye'll start mindin' me too much and I cannae look away."
Maisie tried to hide her fluttering heartbeat, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ye speak as if I'm some wee bird trapped in the hall, Laird. I can fend for meself."
"Ah, but even the bravest bird likes a warm hand nearby, does it nae?" Caiden countered, his tone playful yet edged with something deeper. "And I ken ye've a way of makin' even a laird forget his senses."
Maisie laughed softly, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Perhaps… but do nae think I'll make it easy for ye, Caiden. I've a stubborn streak ye cannae tame so quickly."
He smirked, raising a goblet to his lips. "We shall see, Maisie, we shall see. Tonight is for the moon's feast, aye, but it might also be for a bit of mischief… perhaps even from me."
The warmth of the hall, the festive music, and the playful banter left Maisie feeling both nervous and exhilarated, caught between fear, admiration, and a spark of something new… joy.
Maisie froze as Caiden stood up and his hand closed around hers, firm and commanding.
"Ye will dance with me, Maisie. That's an order," he said.
She opened her mouth to refuse, but the glint in his eyes made her heart stutter. Reluctantly, she allowed him to lead her onto the floor, her hands trembling as she felt the solid warmth of his body near hers.
As they stood before each other, she exhaled as she saw that he indeed towered over her as he always had. She suddenly did not feel shame about her height.
The music began, a lively reel that seemed to pull at her very soul. Caiden guided her gracefully, his hand settling on her waist in a way that made her breath hitch. Every step, every turn, was a thrill, her body responding to his movements as though it had known them all along.
Maisie's eyes flicked to his face, and she saw amusement there, mingled with something darker, something that made her cheeks burn.
She felt her desire flourish with each brush of his hand, the closeness making her acutely aware of the heat between them.
"Ye move well for a stubborn lass," he murmured near her ear, and the rasp of his voice sent shivers down her spine.
Maisie bit her lip, trying to focus on the dance, but the feel of his hand on her back and the press of his chest against her own left her dizzy. She could sense the attention of the clan around them, yet it faded into nothing, leaving only Caiden and the fire he ignited in her.
As the dance continued, he twirled her under his arm, their eyes locking in fleeting glances that were both daring and intimate.
"Ye think to hide yer blushes, do ye?" he said, his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek.
She flushed deeper, pretending to adjust her skirt, but inwardly she thrilled at the contact, at the closeness she had resisted for so long. The music swelled, and with each beat, Maisie felt herself falling into the rhythm of his command, willingly captivated by his presence.
He leaned closer during a turn, his lips almost brushing her temple, and Maisie's heart pounded in her chest. She had never imagined a dance could be so intoxicating, so full of tension and longing.
"I daenae ken how to make ye speak, Maisie," he murmured, his gaze intense, "but I'll find a way yet…or perhaps make ye moan."
She swallowed hard, the words stirring a fire in her, her body responding despite the turmoil in her mind.
The dance ended with a flourish, and he held her in place just long enough for the world to blur around them. The hall erupted in applause, but Maisie hardly noticed, too caught in the spell of his nearness, the scent of him, and the way his hand lingered at her back.
She pulled away slightly, guilt and desire warring within her, but he didn't release her, merely letting her breathe while keeping her in his orbit. The fire light glimmered across his strong features, and she realized she was caught, both prisoner and willing captive of his charm.
"Ye did well, Maisie," he said, finally letting her step back, though his hand lingered an instant longer. "Aye, well enough that I might need another dance before the night is through."
"I… I am nae…" She tried to protest, her voice trembling with both irritation and longing, but the flush of excitement on her cheeks betrayed her.
As the evening carried on, Caiden remained near, guiding her subtly toward games, laughter, and conversation with the other clanspeople. Each time he touched her hand or brushed against her sleeve, her pulse leapt, a mixture of fear, fascination, and undeniable desire.
She felt herself drawn to him, her mind betraying her with thoughts she could barely acknowledge.
By the time the feast wound down, Maisie knew one thing for certain.
I will never view this man the same way.
