Page 47 of Seduction in a Kilt

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Ivy could hardly believe what was happening to her. Liam was kissing her, really kissing her, and she was kissing him back! She was swept away by all she was feeling, his mouth so hot and commanding on hers, his hands touching her as they moved over her was like some fantastic and exciting dream which she never wanted to wake up from.

He had lit a fire within her that threatened to consume her. A dizzying rush of delicious new sensations she had never imagined she was capable of feeling swept her away. He was turning her world on its head, and she could not get enough of it!

She let out a low moan as the kiss deepened with a dizzying intensity, as his hands roamed her body freely, she gave into her driving desire, never wanting it to end, wanting more of him, yet somehow knowing it would never be enough.

The kiss lasted for several more minutes before their mouths finally broke apart. They remained close, gazing into each other’s eyes silently for a few moments. Liam stroked her cheek tenderly while she clung to him.

But then something she did not understand happened to break the spell between them. Something abrupt and brutal. A strange expression suddenly appeared on Liam’s handsome face. He stepped back, releasing her from the cage of his body. At once, she missed his heat, the feel of him against her.

“Liam, are ye all right? What is it?” she asked, reaching out a hand to him. He shied away from her touch, leaving her even more confused.

“That should nae have happened,” he said, looking more panicked than she had ever seen him. His reaction puzzled her, and at first, she did not really grasp his words.

“What?” she asked, growing anxious now. “Why are ye sayin’ that? Did ye nae like it? Did I dae somethin’ wrong?”

“Nay, Ivy, Nay, ’tis me who’s done somethin’ wrong. I should never have let this happen. This is a bad mistake,” he muttered, turning away from her, pacing to and fro, running a hand through his hair in obvious distraction.

“A mistake? I-I dinnae understand,” she stuttered, starting to become alarmed by his bizarre behavior. After the passionate kiss they had just shared, she felt broken open and vulnerable. This reaction was inexplicable to her.

“Aye, but it was a mistake, brought on by too much wine and ale,” he told her, his tone impatient. As he turned to look at her, she saw with shock that his face was now a cold mask. “A bad mistake,” he repeated. “Stupid, stupid!”

Ivy’s blood turned cold as the words finally hit her like freezing water dashed in her face. She could not believe what was happening. Only a few brief moments ago, she had been walking on heavenly clouds, happier than she ever thought possible. Now, seconds later, she had seemingly plummeted back down to earth with an almighty bump.

She felt a sensation in her chest, as though her heart were contracting, shriveling up inside her, a small, hurt creature seeking to hide from further hurt. Then came the anger, bubbling up inside her from the depths. She stepped away from the wall, pulled her shoulders back, and lifted her chin.

“Let me get this straight,” she said, stepping into Liam’s path and forcing him to stop pacing and face her. “Did we just kiss or nae?”

“Aye we did. But that’s just it, ye see. We shouldnae have done that!”

“Why nae?”

He raked at his hair again with his hand. “Because… because naethin’ can come of it, Ivy.” His eyes when he looked at her were hard and cold. “This, anythin’ like this, it cannae happen again.”

“But why d’ye call it a mistake?” she asked, angry and deeply hurt. He had evidently not felt what she had.

“Because in this world we live in, the minute ye start tae care fer someone, they’ll be taken from ye. Whether it is a parent, a friend, a spouse. So I’ve sworn tae meself never tae fall in love and marry.”

Light began to dawn in Ivy’s head. Her anger and pain grew so hot, they burned like ice. She felt like screaming at him and attacking him with her fists. But part of her knew there would be no point. Even so, she had to get away from him.

“I’m goin’ tae me chamber,” she told him and turned on her heel, hurrying back the way they had come. As she passed the hall, she hardly noticed the bright light falling on the flagstones from the windows or the music and laughter from the cèilidh that were floating out from inside.

She was so angry and confused as she marched along heading for the keep, that at first, she did not take into account the figure up ahead looking out from behind a tree. But as she approached it, something about the cloaked and hooded figure caught her eye.

“Lady Ivy!” Her name was called in a voice she recognized at once. It sent shivers up her spine. “Lady Ivy, I must speak with ye again.” It was the stranger who had accosted her back in the raided village a few days before. He emerged from behind the tree and came towards her, beckoning to her.

She stopped, staring at him. There was something about his gait that struck her as very familiar. She searched her mind for a reason but could not find one. Despite her deep unease, she decided she needed to hear what he had to say about her parents.

“Ye. What d’ye want with me?” she said coldly.

“Is that any way tae greet one who’s tryin’ tae dae ye a good turn by tellin’ ye some truths?” came the reply. It had a definite edge of malice to it.

“If ye have somethin’ tae say about me parents than hurry up and say it. I dinnae find all this cloak and dagger stuff very amusin’.”

“Would ye find it more so if I told ye that they didnae die in a raid as ye’ve believed all this time?”

Ivy froze to her marrow. “What d’ye mean?” she asked her voice starting to shake.