Page 432 of Wicked Highland Heroes

Her eyes widened. “I would not do so.” He caressed her cheek. She blushed.

“I feared for you,” he said. “But, bastard that I am, I feared as much for myself. I find I cannot live without you.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on the inside of her palm. “You were ever present in my mind.” Another kiss, this time on her shoulder. “The thought of you…” He traced the line of her jaw.

With a small cry, Victoria threw her arms around his neck and covered his lips with hers. He pushed her down onto the sofa, his body engulfing her as she softened beneath him. Her fingers slid from his shoulder and wound their way into his hair. Iain pulled back and looked down at her. Her eyes were closed. He braced his weight on his elbows and cupped her face.

Moving against her in a slow rhythm, he watched her eyes flutter. She breathed deep and desire raced through him like a falcon on wing. His mouth was on her again, tasting her lips, her neck, inching further down. She arched against him. He slipped past the low bodice, his tongue sweeping a hardened nipple. She gave a choked sigh. In the next instant, Iain had her dress up around her waist and thrust inside her.

“My lord,” Victoria whispered.

“My lass,” he answered.

Iain moved fast, his body rising and falling against her. Over and over, he had imagined the slow way he would enjoy her body, but now, even the smallest remembrance of those pleasures was overshadowed by something greater. Neither lust nor desire drove him. Now it was need. The need to reassure himself she was still whole. The need to know he was still alive. But most of all, the need to claim her again and remind her that no matter what, she belonged with him.

* * *

Iain looked up from his meal at the sight of Riley entering the great hall. The lad cast a glance at where Katherine sat three chairs down on Iain’s left. The girl’s gaze met Riley’s, then dropped. Iain glanced at Victoria and saw that she, too, had noticed the girl’s reaction. This was the first sign of genuine feeling for Riley. Victoria had asked that the boy be released from the promise of marriage to Katherine, but Riley had refused. Iain looked up as he stopped before him. Maybe the lad knew more than Iain had given him credit for.

“A band of Robertsons, laird,” Riley announced.

“One says he is Bran Robertson.”

From the corner of his eye, Iain saw Victoria reach for Jillian’s hand. The girl’s tremulous smile confirmed Victoria had offered a reassuring squeeze to her hand.

“Allow him and his men through the gates,” Iain said. “And do not forget we are expecting another guest.”

Riley nodded and Iain returned his attention to the women in time to hear Victoria tell Jillian, “My lord has said your brother does not blame you.”

Jillian glanced shyly in his direction, and he offered a reassuring smile.

A quarter of an hour later, hinges creaked and Iain shifted his gaze from the Gypsy man Evan to the three men who entered the great hall. The leader, the largest by far, scanned the room, his eyes fastening onto Jillian. She paled. Iain winced. He wouldn’t want to be the recipient of that grim expression. He would have risen to greet the lad, but Bran seemed oblivious to him as well as everyone else in the room and strode to where Jillian sat.

“Hello, lass,” he said in a husky voice.

Jillian glanced away. He seemed to understand her fear and reached down, lifting her into a warm embrace.

“I am sorry,” she cried into his shirt. Over and over, she repeated the words as Bran soothed her with long strokes to her hair. “I did not do it,” she added with sudden desperation.

Bran closed his eyes. “Of course not.”

“I did not mean to cause you so much trouble,” she went on.

He sighed. “’Tis my fault for not making sure you were well.”

“You could not know,” she said, her voice low, but steadier.

“Mayhap,” he replied gently, “but it was my duty.” He shushed her protests for a few moments longer with soft, unintelligible words, then held her at arm’s length. “You look well.”

Jillian sniffed. “I have been well treated.”

Bran shot a grateful look in Iain’s direction, and

Iain gave a nod of acknowledgment. Bran settled Jillian back in her chair and squatted, bringing his face level with hers.

“You know I must hear the whole of it.”

“Aye.”

“Good.” He smiled. “But we can speak of it later.”