Vivien felt the scorching heat of his gaze as he seemed to look for something in her eyes. He must have found it as he took the final step that bridged the gap between them.
“I’m sorry I doubted ye; I ken it hurt ye. I just need tae be sure – for my clan’s sake.”
“I understand,” Vivien nodded, knowing that he meant it. She could see in Kieran’s eyes that he wanted nothing more than to trust her and believe her. She needed him to believe her for the sake of his own people.
“An’ I don’t think it’s wrong,” he whispered, twisting a lock of her hair around his index finger, his eyes focusing on it as though it were a wonder that he was touching her raven hair.
“You don’t?” she whispered, suddenly feeling quite breathless.
“Nae, I don’t. Ye married the wrong man, Sassenach. That’s all there is tae it. I want it just as much as ye dae,” Kieran’s eyes traveled slowly back up to meet Vivien’s.
Her pulse and breathing quickened as she returned his gaze, refusing to look away. Vivien felt her face flushing, her hands shaking slightly at her sides.
She wanted nothing more than Kieran at that moment in any way that she could have him.
“Kieran,” she said, so softly she wondered if he had even heard her plea. Vivien’s body ached to be close to his, to be held in his arms and to feel his strength protecting her from anything and everything that could ever hurt her.
Kieran’s hand came up, cradling the back of her head gently as he lowered his lips to hers. He applied a gentle pressure, seeking her permission. Vivien was only too happy to oblige.
Their kiss deepened as she pushed her body up against him, her aching nipples against his chest. The sweet sensation of them burning with the need for him to give them his attention again was driving Vivien to distraction. She had never thought that something as simple yet intense as that would arouse her so deeply.
She brought her arms up, resting her elbows on Kieran’s shoulders as she put her hands in his hair. His bun came undone within a few seconds of Vivien’s hands gripping his hair as he pulled her closer to him, his hand still at the nape of her neck. Kieran’s other hand was holding her close to him at her waist; Vivien could feel the power of his erection through her dress.
She moaned against his mouth as the heat unfurled in her belly, slowly burning its way through her core, down to that sweet spot between her legs and up her chest. Her entire body ached with desire; she was aflame from the inside out, and Vivien could only believe that the fire running rampant within her body would destroy her with its flickering flames of lust.
She did not mind.
As their tongues danced again, flicking over each other, gently pushing and pulling, Kieran’s hands worked their way towards the front of her bodice. Vivien’s breathing came in short gasps as he worked her aching nipples through her dress, his thumbs drawing lazy circles around them. Kieran pinched one slightly between his fingers, sending shock waves of heat and desperation through Vivien’s entire body.
She gasped against his mouth, causing Kieran to kiss her more deeply, more hungrily. Vivien matched his hunger and need with her own, her hands traversing across the expanse of his back. His muscles rippled beneath her fingers; she felt them moving, even under his shirt.
Powerful. Masculine. Divine.
Everything about Kieran drove her crazy with want and need – Vivien wondered if she had the same effect on him.
She hoped she did.
Vivien was so lost in the sensations running throughout her being that she had not realized she was tugging at Kieran’s shirt until she pulled it over his head.
Her hands flew to her mouth in consternation, disbelief and shock at her own actions causing her to stand rooted to the spot. Kieran grinned at her; that wicked look in his eyes that told her that her reaction was appreciated.
Kieran was muscular – more so than she had expected. His shoulders were broad, his chest strong and well-defined. His arms were powerful, yet he had held Vivien as though he did not have the strength of a warrior. His waist tapered slightly, to a delicious V-shape drawing down from his abdomen to below the waistline of his pants.
Vivien licked her lips and reached out her hands, laying them against his chest, feeling his heartbeat thumping away under her fingers. She lifted herself up and placed her lips against his again, urging him to kiss her while her hands explored his chest and abdomen.
Kieran’s pulse quickened as they kissed, the heat of his exposed chest all but burning with heat against Vivien.
She needed more.
She wanted more.
Vivien tried to reach the back of her bodice, her fingers fumbling as she tried to undo the satin ribbon holding it in place. Kieran’s reached around her, his mouth never leaving hers, and gently pushed her fingers away.
He worked the satin bindings swiftly, pulling the top of her dress down to her waist, exposing her upper body completely. Vivien felt the blood rushing to her face; she had never stood in front of a man as unclothed as she was. She did not know if she should feel ashamed of her body – she had no experience in knowing if she was attractive at all.
If she was attractive to Kieran.
Kieran pulled away from their kiss, his eyes drinking her in. And all Vivien saw in his eyes was desire. There was not a hint of disgust, disinterest, or horror. Instead, his pupils dilated, leaving almost nothing of his irises, his breathing shallow and ragged.
