Page 32 of The Mad Highlander
Looking up at the stars, Iris suddenly began to laugh. All of the anger and frustration she had been feeling drifted into the dark sky.
“Are ye hurt, lass?” Cayden’s worried face suddenly appeared above her as he stretched out an arm to help her sit up.
“Ne’er better, actually,” she answered through labored breaths and accepted his hand, sitting up straight. She didn’t care if her dress was ruined or even if her arms felt as if they would falloff. She felt more useful in those few moments of taking out her frustrations than she had since her brother had gone missing.
The corners of Cayden’s mouth tilted into an uncommon smile as he thrust the blade into the earth and lowered himself beside her. “Aye, I ken very well what ye mean. There is something freeing about taking yer frustrations out in battle. Believe it or nae, I ken what yer feeling with Ashton. I felt helpless for such a long time with me own brother.”
Iris suddenly stiffened and held her breath as she realized that he was referring to what had happened.
“Take it from me, ye dinnae want yer brother’s blood on yer hands because of yer inexperience. I would also nae be able to protect Ashton if I’m constantly worrying about ye.” Cayden swallowed hard and turned his focus to her, the brilliant light of the stars reflecting in his eyes.
She could feel her heart thumping as she realized what he was trying to say to her. She couldn’t go along because he would be too worried about her safety; she would jeopardize the mission not because he didn’t care for her but because he cared for her wellbeing.
“Cayden,” she whispered before placing her hand on his arm and leaning in for a chaste kiss that quickly ended. “Thank ye, I didnae understand what ye were trying to say ’afore, but I think I do now.”
Cayden looked shocked at the kiss before swearing under his breath and pulling her closer. His lips sought hers more urgently than any of the kisses they had shared before.
Iris felt her breath mingling with his as his tongue snaked between her lips, parting her mouth with a gentle moan. Her heart practically raced through the walls of her chest when he repositioned himself over her and lowered her to the ground, placing his hand behind her head for support as he placed his weight over her body.
Her surprise quickly turned to passion when he deepened the kiss, placing his hand on her hip as he tilted his head to the side. She gasped lightly when he left her lips, kissing a path over her chin and stopping at her neck before kissing his way back.
Their tongues jousted together, each fighting for dominance until she yielded to his touch with a soft moan of surrender.
Cayden drew back, looking down at her with a strange look in his eyes as he brushed a tendril of hair from her face. “Will ye wait here an’ allow me to protect ye?” he whispered close to her lips as the rapid rise and fall of his chest brushed against her breasts.
“Aye,” Iris said in a breathy tone that she could hardly recognize. He seemed to have gained control of himself, yet her body yearned for him to finish what he had started.
“Thank ye. I promise that I will do all that I can to save yer brother. Me task will be so much easier if I ken that ye are here, safe an’ waiting for me.”
Her breath caught in her throat at his words.
Waiting for me.
How did he feel about her now? Did he still see her as just a bargaining chip between him and Tristan? Or had his feelings for her grown into something else?
“Will ye wait for me, Iris?” he asked her now, his eyes searching her face.
“Aye, if ye promise to do something for me in return.” She spoke softly, lifting her hand and tracing a path across his jawline.
“Aye, I will bring yer brother back,” he answered with a subtle smile tugging the edges of his lips.
“Nae that, will ye train me ’afore ye leave? I want to learn more of what ye showed me this evening.” She smiled up at him, feeling her nipples harden against his chest as they stared into each other’s eyes.
“Aye, lass, I can do that for ye.” He lowered himself down again and pressed a deep kiss against her lips, allowing his breath to wash over her as he lingered for just a moment.
Cool air washed over her body as he stood, offering her his hand to help her stand. She felt a little disappointed that things had ended there yet more relaxed in his presence. He had almostopened up about what had happened in the past after alluding to the fact that his brother had died due to his shortcomings.
Her heart skipped a beat when he held her gaze again. Perhaps he would open up to her more in the future. Things seemed hopeful the more time they spent together.
“Oh, an’ Iris, I understand that sharing dinner with me family isn’t spending time with ye. I promise to make more of an effort; perhaps we can train like this in the evenings?”
Her stomach coiled deliciously when he reached out and removed a splinter from her hair.
14
Acouple of days passed as Cayden and Iris felt themselves drifting into a comfortable routine with one another. He had taken to eating his meals in the dining room along with his family instead of avoiding Iris. Their evenings were spent together training long after the rest of the family had gone to bed.
Looking out the window at the rays of purple and gold that cascaded across the late afternoon sky, Cayden couldn’t help but think of Iris. She was changing him; he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind in her presence, and he was even less afraid that he would burst whenever she angered him which proved to be quite often when they were alone.
