Page 24 of Scot of Desire
He wished more than anything to take her to the bed, to release that tension, to make love to her and show her everything that he felt for her, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t treat Ilyssa in that way.
She deserves tae be married first, tae be taken with honor.
She lifted the tankard and swallowed the last of the whisky.
“Goodnight, Bran,” she said dismissively and raced to the door. He stepped forward, in a wish to follow her, but she was gone so fast there was nothing he could do. As the door shut behind her, he breathed deeply and looked down at himself.
Beneath the cover of his trews, he was hardened. How could he possibly stop his length from standing to attention when Ilyssa had been there with him wearing so little?
He moved to the bed and sat down. He could relieve himself, he knew that, but he also knew that if he pleasured himself whilst thinking of Ilyssa it would be a line that could never be uncrossed again. He flung himself back down on the bed, sighing aloud.
Ilyssa creaked open her bedchamber door and stepped inside, looking around in the candlelight to see that Catreena was awake, sitting by the window.
“Should I ask where ye have been? Or nae?” Catreena asked, a frown creasing her features.
“It doesnae matter.” Ilyssa crossed quickly toward her bed and climbed under the covers.
“Ye are wrong, Ilyssa,” Catreena said, her voice gentle. “Whatever is passing between ye and Bran, it matters very much.”
“How can it when I dinnae even understand it meself?” Ilyssa asked wildly, sitting up in the bed again.
“It matters,” Catreena murmured with a sad sort of smile. “I just pray ye two are nae too late in realizing there is something between ye.”
Ilyssa could not think of this anymore. How could she when she and Bran had come so close to kissing but not acted on it? She flung the covers back over her head and chose not to answer Catreena. She felt asleep, a fitful sleep full of dreams.
In most of her dreams, she was sat before a fire with Bran, only he didn’t hesitate when he kissed her. He kissed her with passion.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Now? Ye wish tae go riding now?” Ilyssa asked, not doing much to hide the irritation in her tone. She had only just finished breakfast and had watched Bran throughout the meal, though he had avoided her gaze at all costs. He conversed with a distracted Tad and Laird Gilroy, who had spoken of his need that day to visit neighboring towns on clan business.
“Aye, of course,” Cillian stepped toward Ilyssa in the hallway of castle, offering his hand to her with his usual charming smile. “I ken now how much ye like tae ride. At least give me the chance tae keep up with ye.” He winked at her. “After all, wedded couples should ken one another’s physical abilities… should they nae?” The innuendo was obvious.
She supposed with other women such words were seductive, charming, even thrilling. Strangely, all Ilyssa felt was cold. The mere idea of being physical in any way with Cillian made her hands lock together tightly.
“Well, I…” She glanced across the hallway. Bran was leaving the feasting room with a rather insistent Catreena on his tail, who was doing her very best to get his attention. Bran hesitated for just a second, glancing Ilyssa’s way. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, as if trying to break free, then without a word, Bran turned away.
“Bran!” Catreena hissed, racing after him again as she clutched the skirt of her gown high. “Ye cannae avoid this conversation forever. Ye and I must talk.”
“Perhaps it is best we give the braither and sister time alone, dae ye nae think?” Cillian asked, stepping toward Ilyssa once again. “It seems Lady Catreena has much tae say tae him.”
“Aye. Aye, I suppose ye are right.” Ilyssa knew she could not object. As much as she wished to find a way to run back to Bran’s side, she could not, and when she remembered what had passed between them the night before, she recalled all too well the way that he had insisted she leave his room.
Whatever is happening between us, he isnae happy about it, is he?
“Aye, let us go fer that ride.” Ilyssa nodded. Rather than taking Cillian’s offered hand, she strode out of the keep and into the courtyard. Cillian raced to keep up with her and tried many starters to conversations, all which were dutifully ignored by Ilyssa.
“Is it nae a beautiful day? What glorious sunshine we are having today.”
“Hmm.” She nodded, not saying a word.
“The snow will be melted in nay time, will it nae?”
“I suppose so.” She allowed those words, then fell quiet again. As they reached the stable, she tucked her wolfskin fur tight around her shoulders and mounted a horse which had already been prepared for her. Cillian stood by her side for a second, showing no sign of going to his own animal.
“Ye rode much at home then?” he asked.
This time, she could not escape answering him with just a curt nod.
