Heavens, this was indecent and wicked and oh so good.
Sharing such closeness with him felt incredible, like a culmination of everything she’d ever wanted without even being aware. “Blayne…”
“Aye. I’m here, lass.” He kissed his way across her cheek while allowing one hand free reign to explore. It stroked over every curve, increasing her need and her pleasure.
His teeth scraped the side of her neck as he pressed himself to her, and as his kiss deepened, she felt more alive than ever before. He was staking a claim, linking them with a shared experience she would never forget. His hands gripped her more roughly. Urgent and fierce, he kissed her with a primal sort of possessiveness, and rather than fill her with dread or the need to add distance, it filled a place in her heart she’d not even known was empty.
Before she was ready, he tore his mouth away and gazed down at her with stormy eyes. “This is madness.”
“I know.” Her breaths were as ragged as his.
“Christ, Charlotte.” He kissed her again, more gently this time.
She kissed him right back.
This is where I want to be.
I wish I could stay here forever.
With a sigh of contentment she leaned against him, embracing his much larger body as best as she could. He stiffened for a second before relaxing once more.
His lips grazed her temple. “Ye’re like a dessert I cannae get enough of.”
“So are you,” she murmured, breathing in that now-so-familiar scent of bergamot, coffee, and something uniquely him. “Thank you for showing me what I’ve been missing.”
His chest rumbled slightly beneath her ear while his hand stroked her back. “There’s no need for that, lass. Indeed, it was my pleasure. And an honor.”
She smiled against the wool of his jacket. Heavens, this man would be easy to love.
Closing her eyes on that thought, she allowed herself another deep breath before pulling away. “We ought to find Daisy before she gets worried.”
“Go ahead.” He unlocked the door and stepped aside. “I’ll join ye in a moment.”
“But…” She searched his face. The strain in his features concerned her. “Are you all right?”
“I just need to make myself a wee bit more presentable.”
Charlotte held his gaze. “You look perfectly fine to—”
“Charlotte.” His voice was firm and slightly hoarse. “Ye need to go now. I’ll see ye in a minute.”
Deciding it might be best not to press him further, Charlotte made her way back to the taproom where she expected to find her maid sitting quietly at a table, drinking her tea. Instead, to Charlotte’s shock and dismay, she arrived just in time to see Daisy raise her arm and hurl something through the air while Claus cheered her on. Even more astounding, the generally quiet maid squealed with delight and shouted, “I did it,” before she flung her arms around Claus’s neck and allowed him to swing her about.
“Daisy?” How could this be the same prim woman who always reminded her of propriety and decorum?
Daisy stumbled slightly in Claus’s arms before finding her balance. Straightening, she stared back at Charlotte. “Sorry, miss.” She cleared her throat. “The tea’s ready. Would you like some? It’s really good and there are some tasty shortbread biscuits to go with it.”
“What were you doing?” Charlotte asked, her gaze shifting from Daisy to Claus and back again as she approached.
“Um…”
When Charlotte raised an eyebrow, Claus stepped forward. “I was teaching Daisy how to throw knives.”
The very idea was so outrageous Charlotte was forced to press her lips together to keep from laughing. Until a thought struck her. “Can I have a go?”
“Of course.” Clause went to retrieve the knife Daisy had thrown.
“I probably ought to dissuade you,” Daisy said with a smile so bright it lit her face. “But it’s great fun. You’ll see. But I warn you, it’s not as easy as it looks.”
