Page 54 of The Highlander Who Loved Me

She was at his mercy. Powerless. She stilled against him, waiting for the fear the nearness of being this close, this intimate, with a man evoked.

“I’ll not harm ye,” he whispered. “All I want is a wee kiss.”

The sound of his deep, sensual voice blazed through her. She remembered the curious feelings that had swamped her when he held her close this afternoon. The notion of being kissed by James then had been more intriguing than fearful, but here, in this darkened, secluded hall, it felt different.

Forbidding.

Davina struggled to hold herself apart from the mindless panic that was sure to come, but it was impossible. She felt her chest flush, her breath shorten, her heart race. The heat of his warm breath brushed her cheek and she whimpered.

Reacting instinctively, Davina turned her head away as his mouth descended, but that did not deter him. Nay, instead of capturing her lips, James nuzzled her neck, then nibbled behind her ear.

She stilled. Shivering sensations invaded her. She involuntarily clasped his upper arm to keep herself steady.

“James,” she pleaded, turning her face, meeting his eyes with a boldness she did not feel.

He bent his head, pressing his cheek to her temple. “A kiss, Davina. One wee kiss.”

His voice was a deep growl, yet Davina found herself moistening her lips. There was an air of command about him that should have frightened her witless, but instead she was fascinated.

It had been an age since she had shared a kiss with a man—with James. She had changed so much—and so had he. And yet . . .

What harm could it do? A single kiss—no more, no less.

She slowly lifted her chin. His arms tightened around her, pulling her close to his chest. Davina tensed in anticipation, as he leaned over her. His lips closed over hers, the touch sweet and feather-light. The tip of his tongue slowly explored the fullness of her lips languidly, almost as though he believed she would pull away.

The gentle tenderness caught her off guard. She had expected fierceness from her hardened warrior, but instead his lips teased hers, showing her the gentle young man she had once loved still lived somewhere inside him.

Davina’s eyes drifted closed. Warmth and wonder began to flow through her. It was miraculous. She was not senseless with fear at being this close to a man—physically and emotionally. Nay, instead she was awash in delight and freedom.

Overcome with emotion, Davina pressed her hands against his chest, this time capturing his lips with her own. She could feel his startled reaction, but he quickly matched her fervor, groaning as their mouths slipped open, as their tongues met.

The contact sent shafts of excitement shooting through her body, pooling in her nether regions. Davina whimpered, marveling at the unexpected feeling of coming alive again, of waking up after a long dormant sleep.

She lifted her hands from his chest to his shoulders and wrapped her arms around his neck. The heat of him scorched through the thick velvet of her gown. She could feel herself clinging to him, the need to get closer growing inside her with every breath. She’d been numb for so long—distant and fearful and hiding. It felt like a rebirth to kiss him so intimately, to entwine her body with his.

Somehow he sensed her emotions. One hand slid upward to cradle the back of her head, while the other lowered to her waist. Slowly, her body began to quiver with tantalizing sensations. It was so easy to get lost in the feelings he brought forth—the excitement, the anticipation, the passion.

He broke the kiss, yet kept her tightly locked in his arms. Their short, heavy breaths filled the air as each tried to master their passion. Then James reached up and caressed her cheek with his fingertips.

She stared at him, her mind reeling. His eyes seemed to capture her whole being, to hold her under some mysterious power. She swallowed the odd tickle in her throat, searching, and failing, to find the words to express her emotions.

He lifted her hand, turned it over, and kissed the top of her wrist. It felt burning hot; possessive. Her pulse quickened and throbbed.

Their bodies were too close. It was distracting. She struggled not to look into his eyes, and then suddenly Davina felt something snap inside her. Curling her fingers closed, she pulled her hand free.

Too much, too soon.That she could have kissed him so openly and passionately was a wonder—yet it could be ruined in an instant if things went too far.

“Good night, James.”

Before he had a chance to fully comprehend her intentions, Davina escaped. Lifting her skirt so she could move faster, she scurried past him. She heard him shout her name, but she refused to look back.

No matter how much she longed to.

Chapter Thirteen

“How are ye?”

Davina stiffened when she saw James standing a few yards away at the edge of the kitchen winter garden. She had done her best to successfully avoid him all morning, but her luck had just run out.

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