Once they were alone, Adam turned her about, holding her at arm’s length, and gave her a little shake. “What were ye thinking, Kali Bane?”
Nothing at all—that’s where she had erred in judgment. And staring at Adam’s face made her feel even more empty-minded, for the man had hypnotizing green eyes, full lips, a chiseled jaw, and the thickest black hair. She wanted to reach up and bury her fingers in his hair and pull him to her—encourage him to plunder her mouth—teach her about kissing and caressing and all the wonderful and mysterious things men and women did in secret.
“Did ye hear me, lass?” Adam asked, looking confused.
“I doona know what to say,” she blurted.
“Well,” he said softly, “ye better think of something quick, or I’m going to kiss ye.”
Chapter Nine
How can I utter those words to her—threatening to kiss her when she has already been accosted by one of my guards?The poor lass probably wanted to run and lock herself away from men forever. Her sire was a bastard, Philip was a bastard, and now he was nearly acting as one, too.
“Forgive me,” he said, setting her safely away from his reach. “Ye are not some serving lass meant for bedding.”
“Bedding? Is that what men as yerself do with maids?”
He gave the lass a sharp look, and her brows arched in question. She expected an answer.
“Maids are known for their exuberant affection.”
“Aye? And what are lairds’ daughters known for, Master Adam?”
God save any man who truly loved her, for she would shred his heart to pieces with one challenging look or one word of reproof. “Intelligence and refined beauty,” he said dutifully.
“Is that what ye see when ye gaze at me?”
By heaven and hell, nay! But I can’t tell her the truth, can I?What stood before him was a Highland enchantress, and he very much wanted to lean forward and kiss those plump red lips of hers. Entice her into silence—except for the tiny moans of pleasure he hoped to elicit from her while petting and teasing her. Giving attention to every inch of her luscious skin while gazing into the depths of her blue eyes.
“Adam, have ye lost control of yer senses?”
He drew a deep breath for patience. “Do ye want an honest answer?”
“I expect no less from ye. ’Tis what ye promised me from the moment we meant, aye?”
“Aye,” he reluctantly admitted. Curse his honor. Blast his evenhandedness. Damn the overpowering need to take her in hand and show her what he truly wanted, what he believed she needed, too. Women should be cherished and respected. Yet, they should also be ravished—with their permission—to remind them of how lovely God had made them. He swallowed hard while wrestling against his most corrupt instinct—kiss her now and deal with the repercussions later.Give her a taste of what she does to me. The restless nights, the fevered dreams. The hopeless desire.He took a step forward, then caught sight of her dainty right wrist. She was wearing the bracelet he had gifted her.
“Oh,” she said, sounding regretful. “Forgive me for forgetting to thank ye. The bracelet is beautiful, Adam. I will wear it always as a reminder of our friendship.”
Friendship. A reminder.All signs that she expected to leave sometime soon.But how can I let her go?“I will give ye something to truly remember me by, lass.” The tether snapped, and Adam went to her in a flourish of heat and emotions—hunger in his heart. His arms snaked around her slim waist and tugged her close, so near, he could smell the lavender perfume in her hair and on her skin, and even feel the warmth of her breath on his neck.
“Lass,” he whispered, embracing her for the longest moment.
“Adam, what is this…”
Enough talking. He lowered his head and claimed her sweet lips, teasing the seam of her mouth with his tongue, hoping she’d open up to him. The little sigh that sounded from her excited him, and she relaxed in his arms. Her mouth opened the tiniest bit, and he didn’t miss the chance to taste her again. Their tongues met—her innocence never more apparent. But he didn’t mind. It made her all the more alluring, all the more special. The kiss deepened, and her hands slipped up his sides, grasping his shoulders as she shuddered in his arms.
As he had dreamed after their first intimate encounter, she tasted like summer—heather and wild honey—temptation and innocence. And as he held her tighter and kissed her longer, she dared to kiss him back with eagerness, her tongue exploring the depths of his mouth, tangling with his. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders and he groaned—what would her sharp nails feel like scraping over his back while he pumped inside her, making shameless love to her on the shore with the moon shining overhead and the waves roaring behind them?
A man could fantasize easily while holding such a woman… But he must regain control of himself. With regret, he ended the kiss.
She cast her gaze downward, but Adam curled his fingers under her chin and forced her to look up. “Why are ye avoiding looking at me, lass?”
“I have never…”
“Never what?”
“Felt anything so exquisite,” she said quietly.
