Page 3 of Highlander’s Evil Side

Beitris glanced over her shoulder. They were walking further and further away from the kitchen door. Her heart was slamming in her throat. Even though this man had done no wrong, she couldn’t help the fear rippling through her.

“Why do ye want my name, good sir?”

The man tossed back his head, releasing a bitter laugh. “Sir, she calls me.” His eyes narrowed on her. All amusement she once found in that gaze dissipated and was replaced with something dark. “Perhaps I wish to have something to call ye by, my lady.”

Beitris’s gaze lowered. She needed to get back to Hendry and Peigi’s celebration. His hand tightened around her wrist when she stepped away from him. Her lips trembled as he turned her towards the tree, where the branches were low and not one guard would be able to spot them from the wall.

“If I give ye my name, may ye let me return?” she whispered, feeling the bark of the tree digging into her back.

The man leered down at her. Beitris’s jaw clenched as his gaze dipped to her lips. “Perhaps.”

“It’s Beitris,” she rushed out. She tried to move around him, but he pulled her back to him, pushing her against the tree.

“Beitris, Beitris,” he sang. “The only daughter of Laird Gordon.”

Beitris shivered. She searched for a way to move around him, but his body blocked all escape. “Sir, I must-“

His lips slammed against hers, stifling her words. She pressed her lips together as his tongue prodded her mouth. An arm circled her waist, dragging her towards him. She gasped as she felt something digging into her leg, allowing his tongue to enter and slide against her own.

Beitris struggled in his arms. He tasted of wine, and his foul scent nauseated her senses, making her want to gag. His tongue kept prodding hers, demanding she respond. She was desperate to be rid of him. Nothing about this was romantic or magical. It was filled with lust and the need for dominance. This wasn’t how the night was supposed to go, Beitris thought angrily. She didn’t know if she was angrier with him or with herself for being so foolish to enter the garden at night without a proper escort. All she wanted was a bit of air. She whimpered and pressed her hands against his chest, her fear heightening when his hold tightened.

She stomped on his foot, and the man grunted, stumbling backward and allowing her room to push him away. His lips slid from hers, and without thinking, she raised her hand, smacking it across his face. The man stilled. His head tilted to one side. The darkness made it difficult for her to see his expression, but the air was tense. Without waiting another minute, Beitris sidestepped him and picked up her skirts. She ran as fast as she could to the kitchen door and threw it open without looking behind her.

Beitris didn’t stop until she was in the great hall. Her hands shook as she straightened her dress. She inhaled deeply to calm her pounding heart. Her stomach churned while memories flooded to her of his hands clutching at her body, his tongue demanding entrance. She clamped her eyes closed and forced those thoughts away, telling herself she would leave right after her fast was broken in the morning and then she would never have to see that terrible man again.