Page 20 of The Mad Highlander
“Aye, and how do ye mean it?” The Laird raised one eyebrow.
How can a man be so intoxicating and infuriating at the same time?
Tension filled the room as he took a step closer. Cayden seemed intrigued by her bravery. He closed the distance, bringing them closer until Iris could almost feel his breath on her face. The look in his eyes was something different. Primal, yet filled with desire.
Iris was surprised by the look of desire in his eyes, and she found that he had backed her against the wall. It scared her, but she had a sense of superiority at eliciting such a hungry look.
Her eyes locked on his as she studied the different shades of blue that made the pit of her stomach coil with desire. She found him attractive, there was no denying that even if she wanted to.
Cayden’s eyes seemed to fill with confusion as he looked down at her, his expression darkening.
What is he thinking?
Iris searched his eyes again, and for a moment, she saw a glimmer of something more than annoyance or skepticism. She saw a flicker of longing, of a desire for something different. The hardness in his face was no longer there as he gazed down at her so tentatively.
“Do ye nae want me? Is that it? Is that why ye have been avoidin’ me? Or is it that ye are scared of me?” Iris asked.
The Laird grabbed her, his eyes wild as he pulled her to him. Her body slammed into his, and she gasped, but the gasp was soon hushed by his lips. Her eyes fluttered shut as they kissed. Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to escape and explode.
He used his tongue to part her lips, searching the warm depths of her mouth with a fierce hunger.
A deep growl of satisfaction and longing escaped his throat as he pulled her against his chest, using the tips of his fingers to gently massage her arms.
Iris felt as if her body had lost all function in the wake of his touch. Her desires caught flame and soared as he placed his hands on her hips and gently caressed her skin through the fabric of her dress. Before she knew what was happening, Cayden had picked her up, lifting her in his arms before placing her buttocks down on his desk.
Her arms moved as if they possessed a life of their own as her fingers slaked up his chest, exploring the contours of his chest before moving over his shoulders.
Cayden responded in kind as a deep growl escaped his throat, his hands moving up her sides before halting right beneath her breasts. His thumbs gently caressed the bottom of her breasts, sending a shiver of desire through her body.
She moaned in pleasure, wanting more of him as she tilted her head back and allowed him to kiss a path down her jaw and over her neck. The hot sensations coursing through her body drove her wild as she tangled her fingers in his hair, drawing his head closer to her neck.
Cayden suddenly stopped as he lifted his head and looked into her eyes. The sheer amount of confusion she noted in the icy depths of his gaze ended the moment.
Her eyes darted back and forth across his face as she wondered what had just happened. It was as if her challenging words had not come from her, and then he had taken her like a wild predator taking its prey. She breathed heavily, her lips still tingling. Hopping off the desk, she hurriedly fixed her dress and stepped away from him.
What are we doing?
Her mind ran wild with questions as he cleared his throat.
“We leave in a fortnight to get yer brother. That is all I can tell ye at present. Ye have what ye came for.” He seemed to search her face before hesitating, making Iris wonder if he was about to kiss her again.
Cayden turned to leave and shut the door behind him, walking almost as quickly as he’d pushed her against his desk.
Iris felt a wave of confusion engulf her body as she lifted her hand to her mouth, gently feeling her lips. The flesh still tingled from his caress, making her wonder how he really felt about her. She lowered her hand with a sigh and ran her tongue over her lips.
She had come to hear news of her brother, but she had not kissed him for that reason. When she thought about it, it was not she who had kissed him, but he who had taken her and ravaged her with his lips on his desk. Still, she had welcomed it and enjoyed it. She had not fought back against it because of the way it had made her feel.
She had thought of kissing him. They were to marry; it was impossible not to consider it. It was far better than she had imagined.
And Ashton is almost safe.
Her heart beat faster again, but this time because of the news he had given her. It was a gift that she barely deserved. He owed her nothing, yet he was risking his life and the lives of his men.
Iris longed to have her brother back but stopped herself from thinking of his return until he was safe. That had become easier to do now that her mind was filled with the kiss.
9
Iris sighed heavily as the gravel of the courtyard crunched beneath her boots. It troubled her deeply that Cayden had thought she had used the kiss to pry information out of him. He was the one who had kissed her, even though she had provoked him.
