“Aye…” she finally worked up the courage to answer him after a brief pause.
His lips crashed down on hers, hot and searing at first until his tongue parted her lips.
A soft moan escaped her lips as the world began to spin. All she could think of was the heat of his body and the fierceness of his magnificent kiss.
Growling against her, he dragged his teeth over her lips before jousting his tongue into her mouth, where he began to search the warm depths. Every inch of her seemed to be responding to him as she melted into his arms, allowing him to catch her by placing his hands on her hips.
The strength of his rough fingers worked up her sides, leaving her almost breathless as she gasped when he reached her breasts.
God help me, I want ye….
The thought came with shocking clarity as she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
Callum growled again in response, moving his hands down her hips as he pulled her to him, wrapping her legs around his waist in one swift moment.
She gasped louder, feeling the extent of his arousal pressing against her core. Her moans only urged him forward as he moaned in response, a deep guttural sound that made every cell in her body vibrate with desire. The rest of the world no longer seemed to matter as their tongues fought a battle, each wanting to dominate the other with searing passion.
His hands kneaded her breasts, leaving her breathless as she lay her head back and allowed him to take full control of her body.
“Callum,” she gasped his name when he dipped his head and kissed a path over her jawline and down her neck. Her back was pressed into the hard tree behind her, yet she did not care as her fingers sought his hair and tangled themselves in the lengths.
Moving his fingers up her thighs, he caressed her skin and moved up her dress, making her skin tingle in the wake of his efforts. The cool evening air kissed her naked thighs, adding to the pleasure that was already coursing through her veins. She pressed her body closer to his, wanting every piece of affection and pleasure he was offering to her.
“Daenae, stop,” she hissed longingly when he pulled away for just a second.
He dropped his head again, nipping at her tender flesh until she sucked in a sharp breath. His hot tongue drew a path over her breasts just as a raucous amount of laughter drifted through the trees, bringing her back to reality as she recalled the things the men had been saying.
“Callum,” she said more firmly this time, as she untangled her fingers and gently pushed him back.
The muscles of his arms went rigid as he stopped kissing her, lowered her to the ground, and took a step back.
She quickly fixed her skirts and hurriedly tied her hair, reaching for the cloak that had fallen to the ground. “Callum, we…” she breathed, but his gaze had already turned cold again.
“Go back to the celebrations and find Iain; he will take ye back to the castle if ye wish.” His breathing was still hard as he glared at her.
Eleanor wanted to say more, to discuss what had happened between them, but he nodded in the direction of the faint, cheerful sounds that had brought them both back to reality. She stood there for a moment longer before pushing past him and doing as she was told.
This cannae happen again.
Her heart felt as if it would burst with pain as she made her way back to the guests.
Fake love. Pretend love.
She reminded herself of the agreement between them and angrily wiped her tears with the sleeve of her dress. She had been humiliated at first when he had pulled away from her, yet now she found herself feeling the sting of regret. She would need to keep away from him in the future, no matter how difficult it may have been.
I cannae allow him to kiss me again.She rubbed the back of her neck as she walked away, fighting the urge to run back to him. His kisses still burned hot on her skin, waging war on her pride.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The sun broke sharp and crisp over the horizon as Eleanor climbed from her bed, dressed, and pulled on her cloak. Her mind was a whirl of thoughts from the previous evening and a sleepless night.
He kissed me.
The pit of her stomach knotted again as she thought of his hands on her body and lips devouring hers. Heat crept up the back of her neck as she paused for a moment. Why had he kissed her? Had it been pure lust, or was there a spark that she had been denying from the start?
Her pulse fluttered as she pushed the thoughts aside. She had only known Callum for a little over a week, and already he was beginning to present a very real distraction to her.
I need to carry on with me day.
