Page 31 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

"Easy, Lara. Just… easy," he urged, struggling against the ropes that bound him, fear and frustration warring within. As he watched her efforts, something shifted, a small change that sent panic clawing its way up his throat. The shoulders of her dress had slipped, the bodice had come undone, revealing her breast.

"Oh, God, nay," Lara whimpered, her hands fumbling to cover herself. The sight left Darragh breathless. He could only stare, his dark eyes drinking in the sight of her, her pale skin bathed in moonlight, her breast exposed for him to see. It was like a punch to the gut, knocking the wind out of him and leaving him gasping for air.

"Christ, Lara," he murmured and swallowed hard, trying to regain control of his faculties, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts, each one more desperate than the last. How much he wanted to be near her, to caress her bare nipple . The thought of her breast and the way the nipple stiffened as the breeze brushed against it made him almost lose his head.

But there was no time for that.

With a frustrated growl, Darragh yanked at the ropes that bound him, his muscles aching and burning as he fought against their hold. Sweat beaded on his brow as he strained against the ropes, and finally, with a roar, the ropes snapped, their tattered remains falling uselessly to the ground.

He was free.

"Thank God," Lara whispered, relief flooding her eyes.

"Ye can say that again," Darragh agreed, glancing over his shoulder only to see, to his horror, that the old man's gaze had locked onto Lara, his eyes bulging with shock as he took in the sight before him. His face reddened, and he staggered backward as if struck by an invisible force.

"Help me with this, ye daft eejit," Lara hissed, urgency lacing her voice. Though the man had fallen unconscious, they couldn't afford to waste any more time.

"By all that’s holy, did we just—" Darragh began, a disbelieving chuckle bubbling up from the pit of his stomach. The man had just fainted at the sight of Lara’s naked breast.

"I dinnae want tae think about it," Lara muttered darkly, finally securing her dress and covering her bosom. "Let's just get out of here before he wakes up."

"Agreed," Darragh said, his heart pounding like a war drum in his chest. They had been granted a reprieve, a rare gift from the fickle heavens, which seemed to toy with their lives as a cat does a mouse.

As Darragh fumbled with the delicate fabric he couldn't resist stealing a glance at the soft curve of her breast. He brushed his hand against her while trying to fix her bodice.

"Nay," Lara chastised, her cheeks reddening at his brazen touch.

"It wasnae on purpose, just trying tae help ye.” But he couldn’t help but take another glance.

"Ye'd better nae be staring, Darragh," Lara warned, her eyes narrowing as if she could read his very thoughts.

"Me? Nay, nay. Of course nae," he insisted, though he couldn't keep the smile from his face.

"Och, I see ye're having a laugh at me expense," Lara muttered, a hint of amusement coloring her voice. "Well, just keep yer eyes tae yerself or ye'll find yerself on the wrong end o' me sword. A good man taught me how tae fight, and I’m nae afraid tae show ye what I’ve learned."

"Aye, yer ladyship," Darragh teased, dipping into an exaggerated bow. "Yer wish is my command."

"Good," Lara muttered, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she adjusted the rest of her dress. "Now, let's get out of here."

"I’m right behind ye," Darragh promised, though he couldn't quite suppress the grin that tugged at the corners of his mouth. As they prepared to flee the scene, a wave of mirth still visibly shimmered in his gaze.

"And dinnae think for a second that I’ve forgotten about that glance ye stole," Lara warned, her eyes flashing with the promise of retribution. A stinging slap landed on his cheek, serving as an emphatic reminder to stay focused on the task at hand.

"Ouch!" Darragh winced, rubbing his smarting face while maintaining a respectful distance from Lara. He knew better than to push his luck any further. The lingering burn on his cheek would serve as an apt reminder for now.

"Let's go," said Lara, her jaw set in determination.