Page 25 of Kilty Plea
Was that what she was doing now?
With a gasp, he pulled away, planting his forehead against hers and trying to control his breathing. “Christ, lass,” he muttered, angry at himself for losing control.
She was breathing just as heavily as he was, her fingers playing with the hair at the back of his neck.
How was he going to resist her?
Swallowing, Payton stood, lifting her from his lap and placing her away from him. When she swayed, he grabbed her, telling himself he did it only to protect her, and knowing ‘twas a lie.
Flora blinked up at him, her eyes hazy with desire, her lips swollen, and he had to fight the urge to crow with pride that he’d finally tasted her. Had to fight the urge to do it again.
“I’ll take ye,” he muttered, looking away. “Tomorrow. To MacIntyre Castle. I’ll take ye with me.”
And all it had cost her was one kiss.
Her happy little gasp was almost muffled by the way she snaked her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. “Thank ye, Payton,” she whispered again, squeezing him. “Will ye stay with me tonight? Just—” She hesitated. “Sleeping, I mean. Like last night. Holding…”
He shouldn’t.
He wouldn’t.
He did.
“Aye, lass,” he agreed on a sigh, knowing he was damned to another night of torture and not hating it. “Aye.”
He wasn’t going to let her go.
Chapter 5
Flora’s heartand mind were all in a jumble.
This morning, she’d woken in Payton’s arms again, rested and comfortable and warm, while he…he was scowling. And this time, she could actuallyseethe scowl, which somehow made it worse than having to guess.
He said little to her as they prepared to start their journey, and despite sleeping well—a real bed!—the night before, Flora realized she’d been on edge all morning, waiting for him to tell her he’d changed his mind. Waiting to hear hewouldn’tbe taking her to MacIntyre Castle to search for her brother.
Mayhap because she’d offered him no more than a kiss last night.
But…but that kiss.
That kiss.
Floraached, just remembering that kiss. The way her breasts had tingled when he’d pulled her lower lip between his teeth…the way she’d had to clench her thighs together to attempt to assuage the ache in her core.
If he’d wanted more, she would have gladly offered.
ButPaytonwas the one to pull away, to push her aside. He was the one to call a halt.
And she wasn’t certain what to think of that.
He hadn’t forbidden her from continuing the journey, and in fact lifted her into the saddle himself without speaking. His silence felt…awkward. Uncomfortable. They traveled most of the morning with minimal conversation, and after their noon stop, she’d had enough.
‘Twas awkward, but Flora twisted around in her spot in Payton’s lap to stare up at him. She wasn’t certain how to start a conversation, but looking at him was just as nice, frankly.
She’d be lying if she said he was handsome; disfigured was a more accurate description. Some long-ago battle had nearly cost him his life; the scar stretched from one side of his face to the other. His left ear appeared to have been mangled by the blade, but he wore his dark hair long enough to cover it. The bridge of his nose was also bisected, and his right browbone.
‘Twas a miracle both of his eyes were still intact, frankly.
But those eyes…
