Page 55 of Kilted Seduction
Thora cried out softly and convulsed around him, her body clenching around his fingers as her release washed over him. Aedan supported her as her pleasure made her go boneless and collapse against him.
Her hand caressed him still, and he thrust against it, chasing the heat and pleasure from her touch. It wound tighter and higher, then her hand tightened slightly, and Aedan climaxed with a grunt and a shudder, his release splattering across both of them.
In the wake of his release, Aedan allowed himself to sink into the water of the tub. It had cooled some, but it was far from cold. His whole body hummed with satisfaction as he sank into the warm embrace of the liquid and pulled her in after him.
Thora roused as the water washed over her. “Aedan…”
He smiled at her. “Dae ye feel better?”
Thora blinked, and then her expression flushed with embarrassment. “I…”
Aedan smirked, then griped a wash rag and began to wash her skin, sliding his hands over every inch of her creamy, satin-soft body. Thora gasped. “Aedan!”
“Just relax and let me tak’ care o’ ye.” Aedan bent his head to task, letting his hands trace over every contour of her slim body and gentle curves, save for where the bandages guarded her wounds. He lathered soap into the cloth, and ran it over her, filling the room with the scent of heather. The water turned pale with soapsuds as he massaged the cloth over her breasts, her back, and her firm, rounded buttocks.
Thora relaxed under his ministrations. Then, when he was done, she took the cloth and began to wash him in turn. Aedan closed his eyes as the cloth slid over his neck, his shoulders, then down his arms. The touch was gentle, not intended to be arousing, but it sent warmth of an entirely different sort through him.
Aedan grunted, breath hitching slightly as her hands ran over his abdomen, across his thighs and calves. “Tease.”
Thora smirked at him, then slid the cloth upward to his groin. Aedan hissed as she attended to his now softened member. “Wench… if ye keep that up…”
Thora gave one final twist of her hand that made him shudder in spite of his spent state, and a low, alluring smile. “I ken. And I’m sore tempted tae. But if I did, we’d be late for the morning meal, and I’m fair hungry.”
With that, she finished washing him and turned to rise from the water. Aedan reached out and caught her hand. “Thora…”
She turned back to him, and he held her wrist for a moment before pulling her close for another deep, gentle kiss. “Ye’re enough tae madden any man and set his blood aflame. But… ’tis more than that. I care fer ye. More than ye can imagine.”
“I daresay I can imagine fair well.” Her voice was soft, but there were shadows in her eyes that he couldn’t decipher or understand. “Ye’re nae the only one who cares, Aedan. I care for ye…deeply. More than ye can imagine.”
He wanted to say more, but she didn’t give him the time. Instead, she slipped from his grasp, and rose from the tub, wrapping a towel about her body.
She desired him as much as he desired her, and he was certain his feelings were reciprocated. But she was pulling back from him, save for when her passion and desire overwhelmed her. He didn’t understand why.
Was it because she thought he was motivated only by the promise bond? Or because she feared he’d remember his anger for how their relationship had started? He was far beyond that. He wished he knew how to convince her of that.
However, now wasn’t the time to ponder the matter. She was right. They had to make an appearance at the morning meal.
They also had to find Mac and tell him everything that had transpired over the evening.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The bath and Aedan’s ministrations had made Thora feel much better. By the time they dressed and made their way down to the Great Hall for breakfast she felt calmer, though the feelings of guilt that filled her when Aedan spoke of his feelings still twisted her insides.
She couldn’t allow herself to think too much about it, any more than she could afford to dwell on the pleasure she found in his touch, and the warmth she felt when she was in his arms. The attack the previous night had made it clear that their situation was more precarious than she’d expected.
Why had Lachlan Ross attacked them? She wasn’t sure, and not knowing made her feel twice as wary as she’d felt before.
Word had apparently spread fast, because Mac met them just outside the door to the Great Hall. “Me laird! There were rumors that ye’d been attacked.”
Aedan nodded. “Last night. We received a bottle o’ wine laced with valerian. Thora had a feelin’ about it, so we didnae drink much. ‘Twas the only reason we werenae dead tae the world, when the attackers came.”
Mac nodded. “Any idea who sent the wine? Or the men? There wasnae any warning afore hand in the men-at-arms quarters.”
“’Twas because the men were Lachlan’s own, at least, based on the injuries we saw on one o’ them this morning.”
Mac’s expression turned grim. “Then ye’re in danger. He either kens why ye accepted his invitation, or he’s suspicious enough tae resort tae extreme measures tae find out. Either way, ‘tisnae safe fer us tae remain here. We’d be better off leavin’ as soon as possible.”
Thora had to agree. She was still concerned about what Lachlan might be planning, but it wasn’t worth endangering Aedan’s life. His death, or severe injuries, would be a disaster for his clan, and hers.
