Page 32 of The Curse of McMillan Castle
“What in the name of Brighid is this, lass?”
“It’s a television. You can watch recorded stories or news.”
Duncan frowned and reached up to cover his ears. “I doona care for it. Might ye turn it off?”
Surprised, I did as he asked. “Of course. You sleepy?”
He shook his head and reached for my hand. “Nae. No’ at all. Do ye think Rosie shall wake again in the night?”
My chest tightened and fluttered again as hope that he might ask me to stay began to rise.
“I doubt it. She’s a sound sleeper, and like you said earlier, she looked as if she needed it. Why?”
Duncan shrugged shyly as he squeezed my hand. “I doona wish to offend ye, lass. I doona ken if I should ask what I wish to.”
“Please do ask it. I promise you I’m not easily offended.”
“Stay with me, lass. Let me hold ye. Kiss ye. Learn more about ye. We needn’t do anything ye doona wish to.”
I kicked off my shoes and leaned down to kiss him.
“I want to do everything, Duncan. Opportunities like this—privacy, a good bed, a hot shower, someone like you to spend time with—I want to take advantage of it. I’m not sure you’re up forallof it though.”
I cast a quick glance down to where his injured bits were underneath the covers.
He laughed and pulled me toward him.
“I’ve a feeling a few more kisses from ye shall heal me. At the verra least, let us find out, aye?”
Chapter 19
Duncan
Could one die of pleasure? His night with Madeline made him wonder. Even his injured privates hadn’t been enough to deter how desperately he wanted her. It was a need unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Over and over they came together during the night, each time more intimate, more loving than the time before.
It wasn’t only the meeting of their bodies. The conversation and their shared laughter throughout the night had filled up some lonely well inside of him he didn’t even know existed. He could say things to her he’d never told anyone before, and he couldn’t help but feel that she was just as comfortable around him.
It was unlike him to move so quickly—to take so much—to move so boldly with anyone. But Madeline wasn’t like anyone else. The lass knew her own mind. If she wanted him, he wasn’t going to try to convince her otherwise.
Madeline slept soundly against his chest as morning broke, but sleep couldn’t seem to catch him as his mind raced.
He now knew one thing for sure.
He had no plans to leave McMillan territory. He would see every stone structure for miles set right if he needed to. His home was no longer the place he’d left behind. His home was wherever this strange, bonny lass existed.
He couldn’t tell her this. Not yet. Not so soon.
Not while they all still had the matter of Osla’s ghost to attend to.
But once all was settled, he would. And to hear her return his feelings would be the grandest day of his life.
She felt as he did, he knew.
Not one part of him doubted it.
Chapter 20
Madeline
