Page 46 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
“An’ would ye like tae hear what I’ve noticed about ye?”
“Nae really Roderick,” Moira said leaning toward him despite herself. “But I have a feelin’ yer goin’ tae tell me anyway, so ye may as well go on.”
Roderick’s smile deepened, and for a moment, the room seemed to shrink around them. Moira felt close to giving in, somehow, whatever Roderick was doing was working– she wanted to give up control.
“The reason that ye’re so cold isnae because of years of trainin’ or harsh desensitization. At first, I thought it was, but I see now that it’s nae,” he said carefully.
“What dae ye suppose it is, then, Roderick, if ye ken me so well.”
“It is because,” Roderick said, moving closer, his face inches away from hers. “Ye are afraid. That’s all. Ye’re scared tae be vulnerable, or let anyone in, nae because ye dinnae have the appetite or the emotion fer it, but because ye’re worried that yer goin’ tae get hurt. Ye have too much empathy, and it isnae fit fer yer line of work.”
“That’s enough, Roderick,” Moira demanded, her anger forming a protective shield around her heart.
She got up to leave, standing abruptly as a tear threatened to escape from her eye. She could feel it, the rawness in her chest, the vulnerability she tried so hard to bury.
“Moira,” he said, standing to meet her, his hand wrapped around her arm. “Wait.”
“Ye dinnae ken me as well as ye think,” she said, her eyes avoiding his.
“But I want tae ken ye,” Roderick said, his voice softer now, almost tender. “I want tae understand ye, Moira. An’ nae just the parts ye show the world, but the parts ye hide deep, buried inside.”
Her breath caught in her throat as his words settled over her. She felt his touch, his hand on her arm, warm and steady, and for a fleeting moment, she gave in. She looked up at him with all her walls down.
“Just sit with me a while,” he said. “Of course, ye’re free tae leave, but if the storm out there is better company than me in here, I might take it personally.”
Moira’s lips twitched and she let out a muffled laugh. Roderick guided her back to the bed, the space between them filled with a quiet tension.
“I’m nae good at this,” Moira admitted, her voice quieter now.
As she sat next to Roderick his body more than two times the size of hers—she felt small, almost fragile beside him. It was the first time she’d ever felt so fragile in her life.
“Ye dinnae have tae be good at everything, ye ken.”
The silence was filled by the outside rain, and Roderick brought one hand to her face. Moira’s breath hitched as she took in the gentle sensation of his thumb brushing lightly across her cheek.
“Ye’re the bonniest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said. Moira’s mouth opened slightly, as though she was about to talk—but no words came out.
Roderick kissed her, softly at first, and Moira felt as though her whole body had gone still, as if every part of her was holding its breath.
She felt a fire burning inside her, a deep stirring in her belly, and below, as his soft lips continued to wet hers.
But then he pulled back, his eyes sharpening. “I apologize, I didnae mean tae impose.”
“Dinnae apologize,” she said, reaching for his face, overcome with a strength of desire she had never let herself feel before. “I didnae ask ye tae stop.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Moira seemed so fragile that he wanted to be gentle, and his kiss was at first. But now that he finally had her in his arms, he found it difficult to control himself.
Roderick took hold of Moira’s waist, pulling her closer until she was pressed against him, his tongue intertwining desperately with hers. Her soft breath fanned against his face, the sensation spurring him to kiss her with greater force.
“I’ve wanted this,” Roderick said, bringing his lips to her neck, “since I saw ye again.”
Moira moaned, her eyes drifting shut as he continued to kiss up her hairline, to her ears and the side of her neck.
She tasted so sweet, and her scent alone was intoxicating to him.
“I didnae ken if ye wanted me like I wanted ye,” Moira said, moving her hands up his chest, her fingers trembling as she brushed over the fabric of his shirt. She was a bit clumsy and uncertain, and to Roderick’s surprise he liked it. He liked feeling her raw need.
