Page 58 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Throughout it all he glared and glowered at her, still unable to forgive her for nearly losing Skye. But she couldn't shake the feeling that Daniel was overreacting. After all, they had found Skye safe and unharmed. She couldn't understand why Daniel acted like they had narrowly avoided disaster.
Desperate to make something happen in this dark, stuffy room, Lana threw herself into a chair. She let out a loud sigh, and she was pleased when Daniel looked up from his desk. He looked at her as if he had forgotten she was there.
"I suppose it's time to turn in," he said.
"Very well," she agreed, nearly tripping over her feet in her haste to be out of his study. "Goodnight."
"Where are ye going?" he asked, and she froze in place.
"To bed," she answered. But even as she said it, reality crashed over her. She should have known better…
"When I said I willnae let ye out of me sight, I wasnae joking," he said. "Ye will sleep with me tonight."
Her cheeks flushed with warmth, though she knew Daniel didn't have amorous intentions when he said the words. Even so, her body grew hot as she imagined his bed and the last time he laid her on it. She looked down at her feet, taking her bottom lip between her teeth, and she heard him let out a low grunt.
"That isnae what I meant, lass."
She looked up at him from below her eyelashes and saw him striding toward her. Her breaths came faster, and her skin burned as his hand wrapped around her wrist. Slowly, he led her toward his bedchamber. His presence was solid and strong beside her, speaking of safety and protection that was comforting after how cold he had been to her today.
It would feel good to be held after such a day.
"Wait here," he said as he dropped her into the room.
Then he stepped out and closed the door behind him, and she heard the decisive click of the lock.
"I thought ye wouldnae let me out of yer sight," Lana mumbled as she began to pace in frustration.
She had shocked herself with the longing she felt for Daniel as they walked toward his chambers. Now she chastised her imagination for falling into fantasies.
And so she waited, outraged that he had dropped her here and locked the door. It was one thing to be watched by Daniel all day, it was entirely another to be locked up in his room like a prisoner.
She stepped onto the balcony, needing to breathe in the fresh air and feel the breeze on her skin. The sky was nearly dark, and she could see stars peeking through the wispy clouds illuminated by the moonlight. It was a peaceful moment in an uncomfortable day.
The cool night air calmed her heated skin, and she breathed deeply, forcing herself to relax. Could it only be yesterday that she got married? How quickly her world could turn on its head. But this was what being married to a laird was like.
Lana looked out beyond the castle walls and wondered if Laird MacDougal really posed a threat to them. Could Skye's grandfather really be angry enough to attack?
"Ye shouldnae be outside."
She started, as Daniel was suddenly behind her. The broad expanse of his chest was only inches away from her, and his breath was against her ear. She stayed where she was, staring out into the darkness.
"Ye are the one who left," she mumbled. "I thought ye couldnae let me out of yer sight."
Daniel let out a low chuckle. "So ye are angry with me for breaking my rules?"
Lana thought back to the first days of their relationship. So much talk of rules and when to follow them. They were starting to feel childish and outdated in this complicated world.
"Nay," she sighed. "I am tired of them. Ye keep adding more."
To her surprise, Daniel closed the gap between them, pressing his chest to her back and snaking his arm around her stomach. He pulled her tight against him, so she felt the shape of his hips and the muscles of his chest. His chin rested on the crown of her head, and then his mouth dipped down to her neck.
"Does that mean ye are ready to forget these rules?" he asked. "If ye must stay here tonight, perhaps we can make the most of it."
Lana leaned back so she could relax against him, knowing he would easily hold her up. She closed her eyes as his lips trailed closer to her ear, and she arched her back as his hand brushed against her chest, teasing her.
Lana turned around in his arms and tilted her head up. "Arenae ye angry with me?" she asked, even as longing coursed through her.
How quickly their annoyance with one another could turn into desire.
