Chapter Eight
Miran panicked, feelingher pulse in her throat. How could she escape what she knew was about to happen? Kai leaned forward, skimming her cheek with his strong fingers, a look of compassion and adoration in his eyes. Nay, she couldna avoid what was about to happen, no matter what—for she craved his touch, needed it more than anything. She’d gone too long without comfort, and right now, her body ached from every sadness, from endless loneliness, and the need to belong to someone.
Even if that someone came from a heathen land.
Tears welled in her eyes as his mouth claimed hers, soft and subtle at first, his hands clamping onto her hips, pulling her hard against him. Usually, whenever there was contact between them, it was borne of frustration or anger. Not this time. The dark-haired devil in a tartan was gentle yet firm. Supportive yet demanding. As openly desperate for something more than words as she was.
His tongue parted her lips, and he slipped inside her mouth, his tongue finding hers. Her mind demanded resistance, but her body wouldna listen. She surrendered, yielding to his strength, his taste and scent overwhelming her senses. Kai always smelled like smoke and exotic spices, for he bathed more than any man she knew.
The underside of his hands were rough and calloused, and she liked the way his palms felt against her cheeks. The kiss deepened, and she gasped in shock at what joined tongues could do together, what they did to her insides, especially the sensitive spot between her legs—where every sort of sensation blazed to life and made the rest of her body tingle with raw need.
“Miran,” he whispered against her lips, moaning, holding on to her, burying his fingers in her hair.
“Aye?” she said breathlessly.
“There’s so much more I wish to experience with you.”
But when his fingertips slipped down to her breast, her protective instincts kicked in and she pulled away. “Contrachd ort!” She cursed him. “A kiss is one thing, touching me there…another.”
He seemed confused for a moment, still shaken and silenced by their shared desire. But then thunder filled his face. His eyes glittered with ire. “What did you want me to do, Miran?”
She hugged herself protectively and couldna tear her gaze away from him. In the dim light from the stars and moon and lantern, he looked as wild as any predator, his powerful frame, hawk-like features, and intimidating strength all converging on her at once. “Temperance,” it came out sounding weak, more like a question than a demand.
“If you haven’t noticed, woman, I have shown nothing but self-restraint all these years I’ve known you.”
“I dinna invite ye to touch my breasts, or even to kiss me, Captain.”
“Nay?” He stepped forward. “Did I force myself on you? Or did you invite me in, Miran, your mesmerizing eyes and delectable mouth as demanding as my own? One word from you would have stopped me.”
She dinna want him to stop! She’d die for more, much more.
“What choice did I have?” she asked.
He laughed mirthlessly, or mercilessly. “There’s always a choice, woman. Always.”
“I doona like ye, Captain Kai. I never have trusted ye.”
“I’ve spent years around you, watched you blossom into the woman you are. You do not get to toy with me, Miran, to tempt me with your wit and beauty, to offer me morsels of your passion, then cut me off like a starving dog. I am not an animal, but a man, as savage and brutal as any Highlander, but also open to feeling, to wanting you, to protecting you at any cost. To…” He stopped, his jaws clenched.
“To what?” she demanded.
“I’ve spoken my piece.”
She closed her eyes. “Do ye know how many men look at me the way ye do?”
He growled. “Many.”
“And yet, not one has touched me. Only ye.”
“You are Laird Jamie’s beloved cousin. Laird Alex’s, too. The consequences of risking such action far outweigh the need to feel you.”
Her eyes snapped open. “What did ye say?”
“Why make me repeat it?”
“Kai,” her tone softened. “I doona believe ye meant to insult, but ye did.”
“How?”
