Behind her, Taryn saw Killian leaning against the wall. He was still watching, but there was a sense of isolation around him, asif he was an outsider. One of the maids sent him a warm smile, but he ignored her invitation.
Instead, all of his attention was focused upon Taryn. And she was beginning to realize that traveling with Killian MacDubh would be dangerous indeed—a temptation she’d never expected.
Chapter Eight
Killian stood by the stone hearth in the solar, warming himself while he waited on Taryn. The Queen had promised to send her there so he could have a moment to speak with her alone. And though she might not want to see him, he intended to apologize for the earlier fight. He’d never been this overprotective of a woman before, but something about Taryn set him on edge. Maybe it was the way she treated him like a man instead of a slave—and her kiss haunted him still.
The door to the solar opened, and Taryn stepped inside. She had removed the golden balls from her hair, and long black locks hung over her shoulders. Her face was pale, and she wore a greyléine. It made her appear as if she were about to go to bed, and he found himself transfixed by the simple garment. “Isabel said you wanted to see me.”
“Aye.” Though the effects of the mead lingered, he wasn’t drunk—he could feel the bruises and swollen joints from the earlier fight. “I know you’re angry with me.”
Her lips tightened. “Now, why on earth would I be angry? Could it be because you embarrassed me in front of the MacEgan tribe by fighting with Connor?” She drew closer, her hands clenched at her sides. “Or perhaps it’s because you think I should run away and marry you.”
Although he’d offered a marriage arrangement to her as a bargain, he hadn’t truly expected her to agree—though he wouldn’t mind having someone like Taryn as his wife. He was by the way her blue eyes were shining with frustration. That sweet mouth was moving, talking about the High King and her father, but he was entirely too distracted by thoughts of her soft skin and what he could do to those lips.
When she stopped talking, he ventured, “Connor wasn’t lying, you know.”
“Lying about what?” She crossed her arms and glared at him.
“Men do fight over a beautiful woman.” He caught her by the waist, keeping her there. Her face was flushed, and she appeared indignant.
“Let go of me, Killian. And I’m not a beautiful woman.”
She was, and he didn’t care about the scars. They only revealed courage, in his eyes. But she wouldn’t believe words. Instead, he rested his hand against her spine, gently stroking her back.
“If I let go of you, that vicious animal might eat you,” he teased. Harold was lying on his back beside the hearth, his long body stretched out with his paws tucked up. “I’m guarding you, don’t you see?”
She elbowed him in the ribs, and struck the spot Connor had beaten earlier. Killian cursed and rubbed his side. “Son of Lugh, woman. Was that necessary?” Pain radiated from the swollen bruise.
“Was it necessary for you to fight over me?” she shot back.
“Yes.” He rose to his feet gingerly, trying to breathe with the bruised ribs. “Did you think I enjoyed watching him kiss you?”
Her expression turned startled before she flushed. “It meant nothing,” she protested. “I only just met Connor MacEgan.” She blinked a moment and added, “But I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
When he approached, she backed away until her shoulders were pressed against the wall. Killian rested his hands on either side of her. “I didn’t like seeing him kiss you.” It was the truth. He’d never experienced jealousy like that before and had reacted out of instinct.
But she reached out and rested her hands on his shoulders. Whether it was to push him away or to stake her claim, he didn’t know. But she faced him when she said, “Are you afraid that a man like Connor would want to wed me instead? And then you’d lose your chance to gain land?”
Was that what she thought? That he wanted only her kingdom?
Killian leaned in so that his face was a breath from hers. “Do you think that’s all I’m wanting from you, Taryn?”
Her blue eyes stared back at him with fury. “Of course that’s all you want. If I had no kingdom at all, you would never want anything to do with me.”
“You’re wrong,” he countered. “I’m not expecting you to believe me, but you are.” He nuzzled her earlobe, leaning in to take it in his mouth. She exhaled sharply, her hands slipping lower to his waist.
“You do feel something for me,” he said. “I can see the shivers rising upon your skin.” He grazed his fingers over the gooseflesh there, and she closed her eyes in response. “I’m no good for you. And yet, you want what I offer you.”
“You have nothing to give.” She turned her face away, but though his hands remained upon the wall, she did not flee.
He stole a kiss, nipping at her soft lips. Her mouth drifted open, and he kissed her lazily, stroking her mouth with histongue. Her fingers dug into his waist, but again, she did not pull away.
This time, he grew bolder, guiding her arms around his neck while he brought his hands to her waist. Lightly, he rubbed the base of her spine while he continued to kiss her. She was falling beneath his spell, her eyes closed while he seduced her with his mouth.
He moved his hands higher, and against the linen underdress, he could feel the outline of her curves. When his hands moved beneath her breasts, he deepened the kiss, asking a silent question.
“You are a wicked man,” she breathed against his mouth. “I know what you’re trying to do.”
