He’ll show me… he’ll tell me what I have to do.
Slowly, hesitantly, she dipped her head until she could give the tip a kitten lick, the touch of her tongue feather-light, barely more than a whisper. But it was enough to have Kieran growling, his hand slapping against his thigh, fingers curling around it hard.
He looked as though he was straining to control himself, and Lydia couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride.
“That’s it,” he said, his voice rough with need. “Part yer lips. Take it in yer mouth.”
Lydia did as she was told, letting her lips part around him. It was a strange sensation, the weight of him on her tongue, the soft skin that was such a contrast to the rest of his body that was hardened and scarred by years of training and battles. She tongued at the shaft, trying her best to imitate what Kieran haddone to her, and before long, he was moaning and writhing under her, gripping onto the edge of the couch as if he could hardly stop himself from thrusting up into her mouth.
It wasn’t long before he grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her up into another kiss, the sudden movement jostling her. She gripped onto his shoulders, his hand moving furiously over his length as he chased his orgasm, and soon, he spilled hot over Lydia’s thighs, a moan of her name tumbling from his lips.
Afterwards, the two of them sat there, panting as they tried to catch their breaths. Kieran let out a soft chuckle, one that Lydia couldn’t help but echo, warmth suffusing her skin from his touch.
“I dinnae ken it could be like… like this.”
“Ye havenae seen anythin’ yet, lass,” Kieran said. “Just ye wait.”
Lydia couldn’t even imagine what he had in store for her, but she did know she could hardly wait.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Lydia’s body thrummed still as they made their way to their chambers. Kieran had promised to show her just how much she was missing, and he had also promised to give her plenty of practice, so when he suggested they head to the chambers even if they hadn’t even supped yet, it seemed perfectly reasonable to Lydia.
The halls of the keep were mostly empty at this level, the servants gathering mainly on the ground floor. Up here, it was quieter, peaceful, and with just the two of them walking side by side, it was easy for Lydia to forget the rest of the world.
He still vexed her, of course. She had not yet forgotten his demands or the way he had spoken to her, but after the intimate moments they had shared, there seemed to be a new understanding between them, a new connection. And besides, one of Lydia’s greatest fears had been put to rest—that of Kieran not being attracted to her as a man should be to his wife.
They had just turned the corner that led to her chambers when a sudden movement startled Lydia. It was as if a shadow had come to life, pouncing on her and making her lose her balance. In the dim light of the hallway, a blade flashed in the candlelight, and Lydia knew the attack for what it was—another attempt at her life, just like Kieran had feared.
In her terror, her scream died in her throat. She didn’t make a single sound at first, not until her ribs hit the floor, and the figure was suddenly above her, looming over her with that knife poised to strike. Before he could attack, though, Kieran was right there, throwing himself onto the cloaked man, the two of them tumbling onto the stone floor next to her.
It was only then that she found her voice again.
“Kieran!”
But Kieran didn’t respond. He was too busy reaching for his concealed dirk, the one he always carried strapped around his ankle. Lydia watched as he brought it down, aiming for the man’s shoulder. But as the man bucked underneath him, trying to throw him off, Kieran missed his mark?—
—and stabbed him in the heart.
The man made no sound other than a breathless, pained gasp. His hood concealed his features and the blood both, dark as it was, but there was no mistaking his stillness for anything other than death.
“Damn it,” Kieran said, pulling the dirk out of the man and tossing it aside.
He hadn’t wanted to kill him, Lydia realized. He had wanted to capture him alive, perhaps to question him and try to get any valuable information out of him.
But now the man was dead, and they had no hope of finding out who he was or who had sent him. However, this was the least of Lydia’s concerns at the moment; she was, in fact, more concerned about the fact that there was another attack on her life at such a close interval from the last, and she knew that whoever was after her would not rest until one of them was dead.
Her heart thundered in her chest, the rush of blood loud in her ears. The more she stared at the body on the floor next to her, the more what had just taken place sank in, and she soon found herself trembling from the rush of fear that overtook her. Kieran pushed himself to his feet, calling for guards, his voice echoing off the walls, and soon, the hallway was flooded with men who came to a sudden stop when they took in the sight before them. It wasn’t long before Kieran barked out some orders, though, and then came to her, cradling her in his arms to help her stand and walk the rest of the way to their rooms.
He’s right to worry. Will this ever stop? Will I live the rest of me life like this?
How long can it even be if someone’s out there trying to kill me?
Though she trusted Kieran with her life, the truth of the matter was that he had lost three wives already, and whoever was after them—and her—was relentless. Lydia’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking, bile rising to the back of her throat at what would have happened to her had Kieran not been with her. There was no telling whether the guards would have gotten there on time, even if they heard her scream. There was no telling if she would have managed to fight the man off long enough for help to arrive.
But now, this would also serve as another excuse for Kieran to keep her under lock and key, and when they entered the room and he turned to her, grabbing her shoulders, what came out of his mouth didn’t surprise her at all.
“See? This is why I want someone to be with ye at all times,” he said, leaning down, so he was looking her straight in the eye. “Ye cannae be alone, even in the keep anymore. It’s too dangerous. Ye shall always have guards with ye from now on.”
