"Killian?"
"Ye daenae understand," Killian said as he finally gave her his attention. "Mason hired men to kill me, nae once but three times. He's poisoned ye and would have kidnapped ye too had I nae found ye both."
"Daenae forget ye’re the laird here. Ye have the power to show mercy, do ye nae?"
"Therein lies the problem. Do I sentence me brother to death as he deserves for the traitor he is? Or do I spare him andpotentially face more threats until one day he hires a man that succeeds."
Leah shook her head. "Daenae think about that."
"These are the choices before me," Killian explained. "Believe me when I say, I'd rather nae be the laird at all if it means I have to make this choice."
Leah's heart broke for him. All she wanted to do was ease his troubles and take away the hurt from the betrayal. She pulled Killian deeper into her embrace. His musky scent swirled around her, intoxicating her and drawing out her cardinal senses.
"Leah," Killian's voice broke. There was no hiding the desperation in his tone. Leah's fingers entwined into his tousled hair at the nape of his neck. Greedily, her lips found his. She took from him what she wanted. Killian's arms curled around her waist as his kiss became frantic and desperate. The need was far too strong for Leah to resist. Her body longed to have his.
"Do as ye will," Leah whispered, her lips crushing against his neck as she spoke. It was all Killian needed to hear. Before Leah could protest, Killian grabbed under her legs and hoisted her up. With no other option, Leah encircled Killian's body with her legs as he carried her to the bed.
"Are ye sure ye ken what ye’re askin' for?" Killian asked as he released his grip. Leah fell to the soft mattress with a gasp. She watched as Killian peeled off his shirt. His eyes were filled withthe same hunger that consumed Leah. A wicked grin stretched across Leah's lips as she scooted back to the headboard and hiked the fabric of her skirts up to her thighs.
"Aye," she whispered, the word hitching in her throat. "We are engaged now after all."
Killian eyebrow arched a moment before crawling over the edge of the bed and nestling himself between her legs. He slipped a hand between them and left a trail of kisses running down her neck. Leah stared at the ceiling as Killian pushed three fingers into her. The response of her body shocked her. The instant he had entered her, her hips rose to greet him.
"Killian," Leah whimpered as he pumped and teased her.
"Tell me again how much ye want me." There was darkness to Killian's request that hovered over Leah like a cloud. She couldn't deny she wanted her. He practically milked her by the way his fingers twitched and flicked inside her body.
"Must I beg?"
"Aye," he growled as she felt his manhood throbbing against her inner thigh. "Beg. I want ye to hear ye say ye need me."
"Can ye nae feel what ye’re doin' to me? Ye’re drivin' me mad. Please, I want ye, I need ye. Let me taste ye and be with ye. Let me love ye."
Killian's abrupt stop left Leah feeling baffled. She stared at him as confusion and longing intermingled, adding to her frustration.
"What? What's wrong?" Leah asked as Killian recoiled from her. He shook his head as he plopped down on the edge of the bed.
"We cannae be doin' this," he mumbled, raking his fingers through his hair. "This has gone on too long."
"Killian?" Leah threw her skirt over her legs as she glanced around, uncertain as to what just happened. "I daenae understand. I though ye… we were…"
Killian turned to face her, his stoic expression giving her the chills. Leah held her breath as he rose from the bed.
"Ye have fulfilled yer end of the bargain," Killian said as he grabbed his shirt off the floor. "I'll see that ye have the money ye need to start yer life over."
"What are ye sayin'?" Leah asked as her heart suddenly felt like stained glass.
"Our ruse must come to an end. I had requested that ye stay till I figured out who was after me, and I have. Ye are no longer bound to me," Killian said as Leah watched him move to the fire and toss another log on.
"So, that's it?" Leah's eyebrows crowded the bridge of her nose as she replayed what she might have said to cause him to recoil from her.
"Aye," Killian answered as he plopped into the chair by the fire, refusing to look at her. Leah slipped off the bed. Her head was still dazed and foggy as she made her way to the door. Each step was like rocks had been tied to her ankles, making it difficult for her to move at all.
"Then I wish ye well," Leah said over her shoulder, stepping out into the empty hallway. With a heavy heart, she started walking down the corridor, the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
Leah knew she shouldn't be feeling anything for Killian. She did, after all, agree to the terms. Yet, she never expected Killian to affect her as much as he did. Walking away from him was like walking away from herself. But what could she do? She was at a crossroads with no compass and no map. And the place she had become accustomed to was suddenly cold and unwelcoming.
I never should have got involved with him. I curse the day I ever laid eyes on Laird MacMillan. He truly is the Mad Laird.
