She backed away from Killian and lowered her sword to her side while maintaining a charged posture. Her eyes never left his, and Killian began suspecting he would never stop feeling the spike in his pulse that sizzled through him each time she leveled him with those lovely blue eyes.
“Never let yer guard down,” Killian finished for her, then rushed towards her at the same time that she came at him.
27
Their sword fight was like a dance. Lily’s sword fell to the ground when Killian clashed his with hers, and she responded by thrusting her right leg forward to kick him right in the gut.
He caught her ankle, but she swung her body around, flipped in the air, and jumped on him. They both crashed to the ground. Killian groaned as his back hit the ground and her body pressed harder against his.
He protected her hands from hitting the ground by stretching out his hands, too. Lily sat on top of him, panting, and struggling to breathe, because his hardness pressed against her.
Heat pooled between her legs, and she shivered because of it. Niamh lay forgotten to her. Lily knew Killian must have forgotten that his sister was there, too. His hands moved up to her hips and he held her steady on top of him, slightly grinding himself against her.
Lily gasped as his erection pressed into her core. This wasn’t the usual brush. This time, she felt its strength, and she drowned in the desire that rushed through her.
Heart thumping too loud for her to hear anything, Lily stared deep into his eyes.
“A moment,” Killian rasped as his fingers dug deeper into her waist. Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Lily couldn’t tell how much time had passed before Niamh cleared her throat. “Is anyone interested in teachin’ me?”
Lily immediately regained her senses. She jerked away from Killian and rolled farther away from him on the ground. She was sure she was blushing. When she got on her feet, he did the same and straightened his clothes.
Lily picked up her sword, wrapped her fingers around the hilt, and then feigned a cough so she could be certain she would speak without sounding husky.
“Show me your form,” she said to Niamh, picking up where they had left off. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Killian turn away from them and comb his fingers through his hair.
Niamh had the perfect form when she showed it to Lily, and Lily showed her a few moves before pausing to watch her repeat them.
“Great,” Lily praised as Niamh got her first try perfectly. “You will be perfect in little time.”
“Aye.” Niamh pumped her fist in the air, then rushed to hug her. “Thank ye, Lily.”
Killian turned to them again, and Niamh flung herself into his arms. Lily watched him hug his sister, drop his chin to the top of her head and snuggle her close. His gaze however held hers while he hugged his sister.
Lily didn’t know why she could never bring herself to look away from him.
Killian released Niamh just then, and they all heard the rumble in the sky before Lily glanced up to see the gathering clouds. “A storm’s coming,” she announced.
“Aye. Let us get back to the keep before it begins.”
Killian led the way this time, and they marched back to the castle. Lily and Niamh murmured about their sword fighting while they walked, but Lily kept stealing glances at him. She wondered what went on in his mind as he walked alone, his head hung low.
When they arrived at the keep, Fletcher and some other men met them at the entrance.
“Richard Easton has arrived, m’laird,” Fletcher announced. “Shall I bring him to yer study?”
“Aye,” Killian said with a nod. “I want to speak with him now. Where is he?”
“He’s waitin’ in the grand hall with his entourage. He never travels alone.”
“All right… I shall go to him, then.”
Fletcher nodded and led the way. Lily followed, and Killian did not say a word to Lily as Niamh departed from them and headed for the stairway instead.
When they entered the grand hall, Richard Easton turned to the doorway to face them. “Laird MacColl,” he greeted, and Lily saw the smile etched into the corners of his blue eyes. “I heard about the late Laird MacColl’s passing, and I knew I had to pay my respects the next time I visited the Highlands. He was, indeed, a good man. The world has lost a lot with his death.”
Richard’s kind words and smile made Lily’s instincts stir awake. She knew wealthy Englishmen like Richard could be dubious. Richard was the key to proving Laird McLennan’s innocence, so this was an important moment.
