“For someone who found themselves caught in the hands o’ such a fiend as Colum, ye dinnae show much appreciation for yer rescue,” Maxwell growled, angered a little at her ungratefulness.
“Yer words dinnae upset me,my laird,” she spoke his title with heavy sarcasm. “I am grateful for yer rescue, but my gratitude doesnae extend to obeying yer every command.”
Her words only angered him further. “In my home, ye’ll do as ye’re damn well told.”
Skylar laughed at him then. “There ye go again with yer brutish demands. Ye do ken ye’d get far better results by simply asking with a little bit o’ kindness?”
Her words stunned him a little. Not because she was wrong but more for the fact that no one had ever challenged his way of speaking before. Perhaps she was right, but his stubbornness would not allow him to admit it, and certainly not to her. Instead, he decided to get to the bottom of the reason she had run from the great hall. He was certain it had something to do with Bram, and perhaps, instead of asking her directly, he could try a different approach.
“Ye appeared tae be getting very familiar with my brother,” he said. His words were just shy of accusatory, for he was looking for a reaction from her.
Skylar smiled widely then. “Och, aye,” she said, but he sensed there was something a little disingenuous about her expression. “I do believe Bram and I get along very well. I think he likes me, and I cannae say I dinnae like him back. Perhaps there’ll be more than one wedding in the castle.”
He had wanted a reaction, but he had not quite expected that. With a furious rage now exploding in him, he strode toward her, grabbed her by the shoulders, and pushed her up against the wall. Skylar looked astonished at his actions, and though she struggled, he was far too strong. He brought his mouth so very close to hers and, in his rage, almost hissed the words he spoke.
“Ye are an interesting nun, Skylar Morgan, kissing one brother while flirting with another in front o’ all in the castle.”
She still struggled against the pressure of his hands pinning her where she stood, and when she could not break free, she lifted her leg and stamped heavily on his foot. “Aye, well. Ye’re an interesting gentleman, kissing one woman a few days before marrying another,” she spat.
He smiled then, enjoying watching her squirm and knowing he had the power to hold her there. “I’m nae gentleman, Skylar.”
The sexual tension had risen between them quickly, as had his desire for her. Hardly thinking about it and without asking this time, he pressed his mouth on hers and pushed his tongue into her mouth, once more relishing the sweet taste of her on his lips.
Skylar pushed against his shoulders with all her might and tried to move her head from side to side. Her fight started off with vigor, but Maxwell felt her melt under his kiss. As the struggle against him weakened, she opened her mouth generously, allowing him entry while at the same time kissing him back.
Once more, his desire for her took him over; only this time, he did not deny himself the pleasure that had tortured him since the night he had first set his eyes upon her. The ache in his groin was almost painful, his stiff shaft now rocking hard as his lips moved from her mouth, down the silky skin of her neck, and onto her bosom. With nimble fingers, he loosened her corset, pulling it wide at the top to reveal those milky breasts he had gazed upon already.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Skylar’s nipple peaked out of the cotton blouse, and Maxwell could hardly help himself. Flicking his tongue over the hard bud, he heard her gasp in delight. Her hands no longer shoved him away but now held him at the shoulders, her fingers digging into the taut muscles of his back. He wanted her, he so desperately wanted her, but he could not ruin her—not if he were to marry in a few days’ time.
With his head still buried in her bosom, he reached his hand down and gathered her skirts, lifting them further up until he could feel the soft flesh of her thigh beneath his touch. Slowly, he moved his hand further up the sensitive part of her leg. Eventually finding what he was looking for, he heard Skylar gasp even more deeply when his fingers found the soft warmth of her womanhood. The slick moistness of her told him how aroused she was, and though his cock now pained him with the pressure of wanting to take her there and then, it took all of his might to suppress his desire.
It did not mean that he could not pleasure her, however, and finding the tiny bud, he softly rubbed her with a slow motion, his fingers now lubricated with her flowing juices.
“Oh, God. Oh, God,” Skylar panted.
With his tongue continuing to flick her pert nipple and his fingers moving faster across her soft wetness, Skylar gripped him even more tightly as the pleasure intensified. He did not relent, but knowing what she needed, he increased his rhythm, softly caressing her with a swift motion.
“Oh, oh,” she cried. “Dinnae stop.”
Maxwell had no intention to, and feeling her body tense, he knew she was on the very cusp of exploding. He continued as she panted and gasped and cried words a woman ought never to speak. It brought him the greatest of pleasure, and he could not help but smile as he licked her nipple relentlessly.
“Ahhh. Ahhh.” She cried before, finally, her entire body shook beneath him, spasming as the sensations of pleasure ran through every cell of her being. The euphoria continued, and so did he, though a little slower and with less pressure. He wanted her to feel every last sensation until, finally unable to take anymore, she clamped her legs together, panting breathlessly and grabbing hold of him in her weakened state.
Maxwell stood to his full height, allowing her to rest her head on his strong chest, while at the same time supporting her under her arms. He could hardly keep the satisfied grin from his lips as he looked down at her, and even though he had not experienced such euphoria, there was a deep sense of gratification that washed over him at the pleasure he had given her.
Another moment later, a light knock came from the door of the bedchamber. Skylar suddenly lifted her head and glared towards it, looking both flushed and at the same time mortified.
“Are ye all right, my lady?” Katherine called from the hallway.
Skylar appeared speechless and looked up at Maxwell, as though he ought to have the answer.
“Well,my lady,” he smirked, “are ye all right?”
He did not give her a chance to answer, and with the smile still on his lips, he quickly leaned down and kissed her. Pulling her corset across her naked breast, he then turned and walked toward the door without another word.
* * *