Page 37 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
She found herself moving closer to him than before, so that their bodies were practically touching as they walked.
Roderick led her around another bend, and they emerged into an even wider space, a stark contrast to the cramped passages. The stone walls here were smooth and more finely finished. The final stretch of the tunnel led to a small, ornate wooden door.
“This is it,” Roderick said.
But neither of them moved. They stood side by side in silence, opposite the door.
Roderick turned to face her, his gaze studying her with a look she’d never seen in his eyes before. With her mouth slightly open, she gazed up at him transfixed, not daring to speak.
The passageways were cloaked in shadows, and Moira felt hidden there, as though whatever happened would hold little weight to the rest of the world. She didn’t move. She didn’t speak. She followed Roderick’s lead.
Her heart rate quickened as he leaned slowly towards her and brought his lips to hover over her own, making her chest burn with deep desperation.
She fluttered her eyes closed, her lips parting as he finally brushed his mouth against hers. One touch was all it took for him to claim her with a kiss, which started soft but increased in passion, setting Moira’s body alight.
She leaned into him, kissing him back, no longer cold, no longer restrained, as a violent storm brewed inside her.
Before long, they came to a stop. Their breaths intermingling softly, foreheads touching, as they calmed down.
She opened her eyes, her hands on his chest, and noticed his expression—it was pained, devastatingly so.
“We should get out o’ here,” he finally said. “It is nae safe.”
She nodded, her body grown suddenly cold and lifeless as he released her from his grip.
He pulled the wooden door open with a creak, and Moira sighed a breath of both disappointment and relief as they stepped into Roderick’s chambers.
As Roderick pulled a lever on the wall behind them, a large painting of the highland hills swung forward, seamlessly concealing the entrance of the hidden door, which she heard him locking. It seemed like a very sound idea, given someone was roaming through the castle using the secret passageways. But Moira could think of nothing other than the tingle that still gently stung her lips.
The main chamber was ornate, similar to the grandeur of the study, adorned in crimson and gold. The bed, large and imposing, was dressed in deep red fabrics, contrasting with the light grey of the stone walls.
“Ye should lie down,” Moira said, her gaze sweeping over the bed. “I’ll just need some cloth an’ water tae get ye cleaned up.”
“Ye can get those from the bathing chamber,” he said, kicking off his boots. “But ye dinnae have tae…”
“I ken,” Moira responded quickly. “But I’d like tae. An’ besides we need tae discuss whatever it is that just happened.”
Roderick paused for a moment, looking at Moira with a quiet intensity that was hard to read.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” she added, with a final nod. With purpose, she turned toward the door that led to a small adjoining room.
Once Moira gathered all the necessary tools, she made her way back into the main chamber. She held a tray with a bowl of water, that she then placed to warm by the fire, and a cloth at her hip, and momentarily faltered in her stride as she took in the sight before her.
Roderick, laying back on his bed.
She couldn’t help but notice how vulnerable he looked, like a large animal—powerful, yet wounded.
There was something about the way he lifted his head to look back at her, along with the warmth of the fire, a cozy contrast to their previous surroundings, that made Moira’s stomach flutter. He looked so… she couldn’t find the words, but it drew her in, and made her feel somehow, both grounded and light.
“May I? Moira asked, gesturing toward the bed as she settled the tray onto the nightstand.
“Aye,” he murmured, his voice low and gravelly, as he shifted slightly, making room for her beside him.
Moira dipped the cloth into the warm water, the sloshing filling the silence in the room as she brought it to his face. As soon as she did, he winced in pain, wrapping one hand around her wrist.
She jumped slightly, her eyes widening.
“I’m just playin’ with ye,” Roderick chuckled, his eyes closed and his jaw tightened as he leaned his head back against the headboard. Slowly he released his hand from her wrist with a wry smile.
