Page 53 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
“Take me,” she pleaded, yearning for more than kisses and stolen touches. She wanted him to become a part of her being in every capacity.
“Nay, I want to feel ye, watch ye enjoy yerself.”
His voice was low and carried the same greedy undertone that she had. Emma couldn’t understand why Hunter was denying himself pleasure when she could feel his manhood pressing hard against her leg.
Emma’s fingers slipped through the hair at the nap of Hunter’s neck. Her body, unable to hold on, released all the stress and tension it had been clinging to. She let out a deep moan as her back arched. The world slipped away from her. All that kept her grounded was the tender kisses Hunter planted on her neck.
Blinking the world back into existence, Emma tried to regain some control over her breathing as Hunter’s fingers withdrew from the depths of her being.
She glanced at him. A pleasant smirk curled at the corners of his lips. He pressed his lips to her forehead, and she couldn’t help but giggle.
“Is that what ye wanted?” Hunter asked as he hovered over her, keeping his gaze locked on her.
“Nay,” Emma answered. “But it’s a start.”
“That will come later,” Hunter said, a promise lingering in his tone.
“Do ye swear it?” Emma asked as she tried to sit up, only to find her body unresponsive.
Hunter slipped his hand under her neck and eased her upright.
“If that’s what it’ll take to get ye inside before ye freeze to death. Ye were tremblin’ like a twig in winter a few moments ago,” he said, his tone playful.
Emma pulled in a deep breath as Hunter slowly climbed to his feet. The chill of the air swirled around her. Without Hunter blocking it, it hit her harder than she had expected.
“Aye,” Emma said and grabbed his hand.
He pulled her to her feet, but her legs were wobbly, and she fell into his chest.
“Do I need to carry ye?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Dinnae ye dare,” she said, entwining their fingers.
The moon overhead bathed them in a gentle glow as they made their way over the slick rocks and headed to the castle. Emma couldn’t help but notice something had shifted between them.
Making their way through the castle, Emma paused as she noticed it wasn’t his room he was guiding her towards but her own.
At the threshold of her chamber, Hunter leaned in, brushing his lips tenderly against hers. The goodnight kiss was laden with promise and restraint.
“Will ye stay with me?” Emma’s voice wavered with mingled desire and confusion as she clung to the lapels of his coat, her eyes searching his.
There was a tick in his jaw as he pulled back marginally, an invisible force tearing at him.
“Ye have to stop temptin’ me so.” His words were a husky whisper, playful on the surface but underscored by a seriousness that hinted at battles raging within him.
She tilted her head, her eyes clouded by the hurt of rejection. “Did I… do something wrong?”
The vulnerability in her question hung heavy in the air between them.
“Nay, lass. It’s nae ye, it’s me,” he said, but the cliché rang with sincerity. “I tend to sleep alone. It’s… a preference borne of me past.” He looked away, the shadows playing across his face, highlighting the torment in his eyes.
“Is that why there are so few things in yer room? Why yer door is always open?” Her curiosity was piqued despite his clear discomfort.
“Aye, but I’m asking ye, do not press me for more this night.” His voice was a low entreaty, and it took everything within him to lay bare even those scraps of his truth. “In time, I’ll find the words. But it’s late as it is, and ye should go.”
Understanding washed over Emma, softening her features as she reached up to kiss his cheek tenderly.
“When ye’re ready to share, I’ll be here.”
