Killian's expression grew serious, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I beg yer pardon? After the fuss ye just made about bein' a guest and all? Ye really think I could let ye stay here without protection?"
"I daenae need protection," Leah said as she tried not to roll her eyes. "And if ye think I do, then maybe I need it from ye."
"Ye're nae scared of me," Killian said, the confidence in his voice irked Leah.
"I could be," she said as Killian rolled on top of her, pinning her to the mattress under them. "Ye daenae ken the sort of man I am."
"Ye cannae scare me," Leah said, trying to sound just as resolute in her tone as he had been. But the smirk on his lips told her she hadn't fooled him the way he fooled her.
"But I did," Killian answered. "The first day ye came to me. Ye were bound and sacked."
"Aye, I remember it well," Leah said as she found her legs inching to hook around Killian's body.
"When I saw ye… do ye have any idea the things that I wanted to do to ye? And now I have ye here to meself and… I want ye, Leah," Killian said as he dropped his head. "But I promised ye I'd nae ruin ye and I willnae do that to ye."
"I daenae care about that anymore," Leah said, desperate to have his lips on her skin. "Or this ruse. Killian, why cannae ye see what is right in front of ye?"
"Ye think I daenae see ye?" he asked, his voice was low and earnest. "Oh, I see ye. Probably better than any man ever will."
The weight of his declaration sent a ripple through her, igniting something deep within. The heat of the fire seemed to pale in comparison to the warmth spreading through her at his words. She swallowed hard, taken aback by the fierce possessiveness in his tone, the way it wrapped around her like a protective cloak.
"What do ye mean by that?" she asked softly, her heart racing at the implications.
"Ye ken exactly what it is I'm tellin' ye. Ye're mine. In every sense of the word."
The intensity of his gaze made her pulse quicken, and she felt both exhilarated and terrified by the depth of his promise. Leah's breath quickened, her pulse racing in response to the intensity of his stare. She could see the flicker of desire in his stormy gray eyes, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Leah," he whispered, his voice low and husky, the sound wrapping around her like a warm embrace. Without waiting for a response, he closed the gap, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that was both fierce and tender. It was as if a dam had broken, unleashing a flood of emotions they had both tried to contain.
The kiss deepened, igniting a fire within her that she hadn't known existed. She melted against him, her hands instinctively finding their way to his broad shoulders, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt. Killian's hands roamed her waist, pulling her closer, his fingers tracing the curves of her body, sending waves of warmth coursing through her.
As their mouths moved together, he began to explore further, sliding his hands down to her thighs, his touch igniting her skin with a heat that left her breathless. Leah gasped softly as he caressed her, his fingers brushing the hem of her dress, teasingly inching higher. She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness, but the way he held her—so possessively, so protectively—made her feel safe to surrender to the moment.
"Killian," she murmured against his lips, her voice laced with desire and uncertainty.
"Shh," he replied, his breath hot against her ear, sending a shiver through her. "Just trust me."
He kissed her again, his hands now fully under her dress, exploring the soft skin of her thighs. The sensation was electric, and Leah felt herself arching toward him, craving more of his touch. She could feel the world outside fading away, the music now a distant echo as their own rhythm took over. Killian pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling in the warm air.
"Do ye have any idea of how beautiful ye are?" he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "And ye are. In so many ways."
With that, he kissed her once more, this time with a slow, deliberate intensity that made her heart race. His hands traveled further, gliding up her sides, tracing the delicate curves of her waist before settling on her back. He pressed her against him, their bodies fitting perfectly together—a union of warmth and longing.
Leah's fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as she lost herself in the sensation of his lips moving against hers. The kiss deepened, a slow dance of exploration that sent her senses spiraling. She could feel the muscles in his arms flexing as he held her, the warmth of his body enveloping her, igniting a fire that burned brighter with each passing moment.
And then, as if sensing the shift in the air, Killian broke the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he looked down into her eyes.
"I want ye," he mumbled, his words crashing against the valley of her bosom.
"Then have me," Leah answered without hesitation. "I want ye to have me."
"Ye daenae ken what ye're askin' or what ye’re temptin' me with," Killian said, dropping his head into her chest.
"Killian, please," Leah found the words slipping off her tongue like water from a duck's back.
"I'll nae have ye ruined by the likes of me, but there is somethin' else I can do to quench the desires burnin' within ye," he said as he propped himself on his hands and knees and carefully moved around Leah. Her laughter filled the room as Killian pulled her closer to him before lowering his body between her legs.
"Daenae move," he whispered as he peered over her knees. Leah's heart fluttered wildly in her chest as she watched him with great curiosity.
