Page 7 of Kilty By Association
Swallowing, she tried to tamp down the shiver ofheatwhich had caressed her spine at the way her name sounded on his lips. “N-nay. I’m widowed, almost two years now.”
His fingertips still rested against her jaw. “Two years is a long time,” he whispered huskily.
She couldn’t seem to look away from those gentle hazel eyes. “Aye,” she admitted softly. “I’m beginning to think so.”
His gaze darted over his shoulder. “Oh, shite, they’re coming over here.”
Elspeth began to turn, so she could confirm ‘twas the guards he was speaking of, but his hand slid from her jaw to the side of her neck, his fingers cupping the back of her head, and her gaze went right back to his.
“Lass,” he announced in a low, serious tone. “I need ye to kiss me.”
“Me?” she squeaked.
He leaned closer. “I’ll be kissing ye, but if ye wouldnae mind kissing me back, ‘twould be helpful. ‘Tis a matter of national security.”
National security? The surprised laughter burbled up from her chest in the same moment he captured her lips with his, and thefreedomshe felt caused her to tighten her hold on Craig’s shoulders and pull herself closer.
Because, this kiss? This kiss was like nothing she’d experienced before.
Aye, it might have been subterfuge—turned out thereweresome parts he was good at!—but it felt more real than anything had in her life in a long while.
His beard tickled her skin, and his lips were rough—and soft all at once. They moved across hers gently, coaxing, playing, tugging. When his parted, she gasped, and he swallowed down the sound with a groan.
Then his teeth nipped at her lower lip, which startled her, causing her to jerk forward against him. Chuckling, he spread his large hand across her lower back, under the cloak, and held her steady as his tongue stroked her upper lip. Softly, gently…as if teaching her.
She was no stranger to kissing, but her husband had never touched her this carefully. Had never treated a kiss as anything other than a prelude to swift unpleasantness where her pleasure had been an afterthought. If considered at all.
In that moment, Elspeth knew that Craigwouldcare about her pleasure. Would bring her pleasure she’d never imagined.
What are ye doing? Planning to go to bed with a criminal because he’s a good kisser? Ye shouldnae be in his lap, much less tasting his lips!
But she was. Because of “national security.”
The whole situation was so preposterous, so bizarre, she felt the laughter building in her chest again. This was nervous laughter, desperate laughter. Laughing because she didn’t understand what was going on, and it was easier than crying.
With a gasp, she wrenched away from Craig.
‘Twas difficult, because in that moment, she suspected she might happily spend the rest of her life in his arms.A forever.
And he was acriminal. Not suited to be a consort of the mother of the Earl of Dungotit. Not suited even to be her lover.
Nay, there’s more to Craig.
Wait, hadn’t her subconscious just been arguing against the man?
So what? I’m complex. Like an onion.
Onions werenotcomplex.
They have layers.
Well, so did bogs.
Did ye just compare yer mind to a peat bog?
She was trying to keep from giggling with madness.
“Elspeth.” Craig’s low tone cut through her panic. “Lass, look at me.”
