Page 48 of Kilted Seduction
Aedan stared at her. “Are ye… jealous?”
“Should I nae be?” She didn’t want to admit it, but she couldn’t refute his words either, not without lying. She didn’t want to tell Aedan any more lies. “I ken I’ve nay proper claim on ye, even if the rest o’ the castle thinks so. But even if I did… plenty o’ men are indifferent tae their wives. Why should I think ye’d be any different with me?”
Aedan’s expression darkened. Before she even realized he’d moved, he was across the room, standing close enough for the scent of him and his heat to envelop her. “Ye think I’m indifferent tae ye?”
“Aye.”
“Ye think that kiss under the Kissing Bough, and last night… ye think that wasindifference?”
“Pretense and kindness, rather.” She retorted. He was tall, and it was hard to meet his gaze, but she had no interest in stepping back or abandoning the argument.
“If ye think that… ye’re a fool, Thora MacTavish, and nae just in how ye run heedless intae danger after yer visions.” His voice was low, rough, smoke and velvet, and it made her feel warm and shivery all at once.
“Am I really? Ye didnae want tae be with me last night. Ye never kiss me unless I’m hurt or ‘tis necessary fer our deception. How would I ken that ye feel aught fer me?” She met his gaze in challenge.
Aedan’s voice came out in a rough snarl. “I’ll show ye.” Before she could respond, his mouth fastened over hers, hard and demanding.
There was nothing of pretense or of kindness. The kiss was raw, untamed passion as Aedan claimed her mouth and plundered it,tongue dueling hers for dominance and delving deep. His hand on her face was steady, but warm as the embers of the fire, and when he pulled her body flush against his, she could feel his swelling need.
She knew she shouldn’t desire him - shouldn’t succumb to the desire singing through her blood and demanding more. Her greatest secret still hung between them, the truth she knew would change all the passion in his eyes to fury, if he knew about it.
She couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to stop. She’d never had the chance to experience such passion, and she couldn’t bear to let it pass her by, even knowing the possible consequences.
She’d watched her siblings fall in love and marry, seen them through their troubled times and difficulties. Even her own twin, Enya, was happy now, with a man who loved her and whom she loved in turn. Thora had never said anything to any of her siblings, but she couldn’t help thinking the same thoughts that had plagued her before.
I want tae have that as well, even if ‘tis only fer a night, or a seven-night.
Aedan loosened his hold on her slightly. “Tell me tae stop.”
Thora shook her head. “Nay.”
The second kiss was gentler, but no less thorough as Aedan’s hands tangled in the laces of the dress’s bodice and undid them. Thora was too busy undoing the ties of his shirt and the belt of his kilt to pay much attention.
“Will ye give yerself tae me, little trickster?” Aedan’s voice was a low growl that sent shivers down her spine and straight to her core. “Dae ye truly want tae be with me, now that ye’re nae drugged an’ half-asleep?”
Thora knew exactly how she wanted to respond. She slid her hand under his shirt to trail her fingers across the firm muscles of his stomach, teasing him as he had teased her the night before. “Aye. I want ye.”
Aedan’s response was a dark smile, full of promise as he scooped her off the floor. “Then I’ll give ye what ye want.”
He laid her on the bed, then moved to strip off his clothing, before he went to kneel on the bed beside her. Thora found her gaze traveling over the lean, well-formed muscles and trim waist, down to his erect member. Then Aedan leaned over her and took her chin to kiss her once more. His free hand slid down her body, just barely touching, until he released her. “Ye’re still injured. Will ye let me tak’ care o’ ye?”
“Only if ye promise nae tae stop as ye did last night.”
Aedan laughed, and the deep, warm sound of it made her heart flutter. “Och, that I can promise ye, and much more. Lift yer arms fer me.”
With that he shifted, his hands going to her legs, and began to slowly, leisurely, pull the fabric upward.
A part of Thora wanted to squirm with embarrassment, to try to hide from his desire-filled gaze. But a part of her was shivering with desire all her own, and not only welcomed his gaze, but was impatient for her clothing to be removed. She did as he told her, lifting her arms.
Cool air touched her exposed thighs, then the skin of her sex. Thora shivered, and her breathing quickened as Aedan’s hands slid across her hips and stomach, then gave just the barest of teasing touches to her breasts before he lifted the dress over her head and arms and tossed it away.
Thora started to drop her arms, but Aedan reached up and stopped her. He moved her left arm to a more comfortable position, then gave her his wolf’s smile. “Leave yer hands there. I like the look o’ ye, laid out like this, waiting fer me.”
Thora swallowed hard, her cheeks burning, but met his gaze. “And how long are ye going tae make me wait?”
“So impatient.” He laughed again and bent his head to kiss her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
