Page 41 of Forbidden Desire

“Aye.” Every fiber of my being coveted her, and the intensity of emotion was perturbing as my fingers tightened in her tresses.

“Then do it.” Insubordination glimmered in the deep oceans of her eyes, daring me to take what we both wanted.

I moved, capturing her lips as my fist brought her closer. Hot, soft flesh yielded, a guttural groan escaping her throat as I claimed her—one tantalizing moment of assent before Rasmie’s trial began.

“Open.” Drawing away, I lifted the fruit to the place my lips had punished with my unforgiving kiss. My cock strained to be free, to explore the wealth of sumptuous skin on show, but the need for restraint won out. I had already lingered too long on her allure. There was a duty to fulfill.

She pulled in a deep breath, watching the fruit as her mouth complied. I filled the cavity quickly, trying not to overthink how much I wanted to be inside her as I secured it in place with my handkerchief.

“There.” I opened the small door to the aviary, unable to loiter on her beauty much longer. The look of her gagged and naked had pushed my arousal to a fever pitch, desire clouding my judgment. “Inside, doe bheag.”

Elodie’s gaze flitted to me before she stepped inside, the limited height of the space ensuring she was forced to kneel.

“Good.” I closed the door behind her, securing it with the rope we’d procured from Tormod, the village craftsman. “You should remain where you are and do not remove the fruit.” I shot her a warning look. “Special punishments are reserved for those who cannot follow the rules.”

Her jaw tensed below the cloth tied around her face.

“A bheil thu deiseil, Jeemie?”

I turned at Drewie’s inquiry. “Aye, we are ready. Tell our maighstir.”

Drewie nodded, his gaze lingering on Elodie’s confined form just a little longer than I liked before he departed. I turned to her as he left, my feelings conflicted about the foreign temptress. In some ways, I wished to reassure her, to bring comfort where I sensed there was concern, but in others, I merely wanted to uncage and devour her. Never before had a woman affected me so profoundly.

“About time!” Rasmie’s voice thundered around the hall as he strode inside, clapping his palms together. “I was about to come and help you.”

“No need, Maighstir,” I assured him as Rasmie joined us on the elevated platform. “Everything is under control.”

“A bheil thu fhathhast a ‘cordadh rithe?” Rasmie lowered his voice as he switched to our indigenous tongue, his brow arching.

Lowering my gaze, I smiled. Of course, I still liked her. Why was he even asking?

“Aye.” I nodded, conscious Elodie was privy to the exchange. “You know I do.”

His stare slid from me to Elodie as he stepped toward the aviary.

“She makes a fine-looking bird.”

I spun to take in the delectable sight, unable to disagree.

“She knows the rules?” Rasmie glanced at me. “The mouth remains quiet until I say?”

“Aye, she knows, Maighstir.” Though whether she would play along with the trial, only time would tell.

“Good.” He clapped again. “Drewie, send word to my people. It is time for the trial!”

“Aye, Maighstir.” Drewie left his position at the entrance to do my brother’s bidding.

“You have made your decision?” I edged closer to Rasmie, pulse quickening as I met his eyes. He knew how much I wanted her. I had just reiterated my inclination, yet he gave no indication of his verdict.

“Aye, brother.” He smiled, the way he always smiled at me as if he was dangling my favorite bow over the fire. At that moment, I loathed the authority he brandished, despised the way he made the rules while the rest of us followed. When the sun rose this morning, I may have been content to take a woman like Aileen as my wife, but meeting Elodie had changed all that. Now, there was only her—the flames dancing in her eyes, the feel of her luscious hair, and the sight of her glorious body—and no one else would do.

“Na gabh dragh.”

I wanted to balk at his pronouncement. It was easy for him to insist I need not worry. He had the woman he wanted. Rasmie always got what his heart desired.

“I mean it.” He took a step toward me. “I have spoken with the gods.”

“And?”

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