Page 54 of Taken By the Vicious Highlander
The door closed behind him with a soft click, and he let out a shaky breath. The cool air in the corridor did little to calm the fire still raging inside him.
Ryder stood dutifully outside the door. Damon grumbled that he’d return later before he bounded away purposefully. The memory of her lips, her touch, the sound of her moans—it all lingered, taunting him.
“Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, driving his fist into the stone before stalking out of the inn.
I cannae afford to lose control around her again.
But as he stepped out into the night, he couldn’t shake the feeling that—the promise of duty or not—leaving her was a mistake.
13
Damon woke up as the scent of freshly baked bread and roasted bacon assaulted him, mingling with the faint smell of the inn’s wood-paneled walls.
The memory of the kiss he stole haunted him, tugging at his resolve and testing his self-control, but he was confident that whatever semblance of control he had lost was now back in place.
He’d left the inn, angry with himself, and paced out his frustration in the cold alley. About an hour later, he noticed the light darken in their room and decided to relieve Ryder and guard her door in his stead.
His mental battle eventually gave way to a lucid rest, and the longer his tight shoulders leaned uncomfortably against the large wooden door, the more his resolve hardened.
Confident in his renewed self-control, he stood up, gathered the breakfast tray next to him, and pushed the door open.
“Lass, it’s time to–”He broke off as he caught the swinging door before it slammed against the wall.
The sight before him nearly made him laugh out loud.
Lilith was sprawled across the bed in the most unladylike position he could have imagined. One arm was slung over her head, and the other hung off the side of the bed. Her hair was a wild tangle of soft waves, and her mouth was slightly open as she breathed deeply, still lost in sleep. The blanket barely covered her legs, having been kicked down to her waist at some point in the night.
“An angel on Earth, indeed…” he murmured, recalling something his father used to say about their mother whenever they caught a hair out of place or a wrinkle in her skirts.
Damon finally stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. The sight of her shattered any resolve he thought he had garnered just moments ago. The memory of her moans stroked his spine, making him stretch out his tightening neck.
Relax, man. Ye’ll do this as ye vowed.
Damon set the tray down and leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied her. She looked nothing like the composed, sharp-tongued woman he’d come toknow. Instead, she appeared young, almost vulnerable, with her features soft and unguarded.
A smile tugged at his lips as he considered how best to wake her. He could call out her name, but that felt too impersonal. He also had no intention of teasing her about her current state, and she would definitely still be mad at him for leaving her last night. Though the thought did cross his mind. In the end, an idea struck him—one that felt both intimate and strangely fitting.
Damon moved to the bed, pulling off his boots with practiced ease. He climbed in beside her, careful not to jostle her too much, and slid his arm around her waist. Gently, he pulled her toward him until her back rested against his chest.
For a moment, he lay still, expecting her to stir and startle awake. Instead, she let out a soft sigh and shifted closer, curling into him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Her warmth seeped into him, her soft, steady breathing tickling his neck.
Damon closed his eyes, savoring the moment. He wasn’t one to indulge in sentimentality, but there was something about having her in his arms like this—unguarded, trusting—that made his chest tighten.
I can actually fall asleep like this…
He let himself relax. The world outside the room faded, leaving only the sound of her breathing and the steady beat of her heart.
When she began to stir, he opened his eyes and watched as her lashes fluttered against her cheeks. She shifted slightly, furrowing her brow in confusion before her eyes opened fully. For a moment, she simply stared ahead, her expression peaceful and unhurried. Then, her gaze darted up to his, and he saw the realization dawn in her eyes.
Her cheeks flushed, and she sat up quickly, disentangling herself from his arms. “Wh-What are ye doin’?” she stammered, pulling the blankets up around her.
“Good mornin’ to ye too, wife,” Damon drawled, his voice laced with amusement.
She glared at him, though the blush on her cheeks betrayed her embarrassment. “Ye could’ve woken me like a normal person. Where have ye been? Where did ye go?”
“I thought this was more effective. Ye looked comfortable enough,” he said, sitting up and leaning against the headboard. “I was just outside—right there outside the door. Let yer Ryder get some sleep.”
Lilith huffed, blushed, and then scoffed before crossing her arms over her chest. But before she could launch into a tirade, her eyes landed on the tray of food by the window.
