Page 43 of The Mad Highlander
“Ye left without sayin’ goodbye this mornin’,” she moaned.
“I didnae want to wake ye.”
“And ye were gone the entire day, and I didnae ken when I would see ye or if I ever would.”
The Laird stepped into the room and laughed.
“It’s nae humorous,” Iris stated. “I’m bein’ serious.”
“I ken ye are,” Cayden said, stepping closer to her again.
“Ye shouldnae have been away for so long.” Iris finally placed her hand on his chest, and she felt her knees weaken. “I missed ye.”
“Aye.” Cayden stared into her eyes, and she could tell he felt the same. He missed her, too, even if he could not say it out loud.
She could feel his muscles beneath his shirt and imagined ripping it from him to have a repeat of the previous night. She wanted more than that, but she would have to wait until their handfasting. For now, she would take what she could get from him.
“I do want to see ye more,” Iris said softly.
“I ken ye do, but I’m goin’ to be busy for a while. I ken I wasnae around today, but ye’ll need to get used to that for a while. That’s why I got ye this as a token of me… appreciation for ye.”
Cayden reached into the pocket of his breeches and pulled out a necklace.
Iris gasped at its beauty. A silver chain held two amethysts and a garnet. The candle by the door illuminated the gemstones in fast flickers. She reached out for it but drew her hand back.
“Ye got that for me?” she asked.
“Aye, a beautiful piece of jewelry for a beautiful woman.”
Iris blushed. She reached out fully and touched the garnet with her fingertips. She had never received such a beautiful gift, and she wanted the Laird to take it back—she was unworthy of such a lavish present.
“Turn around,” Cayden demanded.
Iris was under his spell and did as he asked. He reached his hands around her neck and placed the necklace on the exposed skin below. He brought the chain around and fastened it. The light kiss on her neck sent shivers running through her body, and for the second time in the past few minutes, her legs turned to jelly.
“Let me take a look at ye,” Cayden growled.
Iris turned around and stood before the Laird as he cast his approving eyes across her body. His eyes lingered on her neck, and she could not help herself.
Iris grabbed Cayden by the shirt and pulled him to her, which was no mean feat considering his size relative to her. She pushed herself up on her toes just enough for her lips to reach his, and she kissed him.
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Cayden lifted Iris off her feet and hoisted her into the air. She responded by wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She grabbed onto his muscular back, digging her fingers in as her tongue tried to overcome his.
He had strength over her in every area and pushed her tongue back with his, invading her mouth. Iris moaned through her parted lips, tasting the warmth of the Laird. Cayden kicked the door closed with the sole of his boot and moved his hands up from her rear to her head, running his fingers through her hair and grabbing onto her as if she might flee from him.
Iris felt her heart melting. She had spent the day longing for his touch, and now that she had it, she felt like she was home. All the dangers and insecurities were taken from her when she was in his arms. She raked her fingertips down the back of his shirt, clawing at his tight muscles.
Iris pulled her head back to breathe, and Cayden dropped her to her feet. She took deep breaths like a wild animal—her entire body was quivering before him, not in fear but in expectation.
She could not keep her eyes off his chest as it expanded and contracted with his labored breathing. She wanted to lift the shirt from his body again—her eyes flicked to his lips—and feel his supple muscle tease her folds. Iris licked her lips in expectation of the pleasure to come. She took a step forward, but the Laird raised his hand and placed it on her breast. It was a welcome position, but she knew what it signaled, and the joy was sapped from her.
“I cannae,” he said.
“You cannae or ye willnae?” Iris asked petulantly.
Cayden pushed her back with his hand until the back of her legs hit the bed. He added a little more pressure, and her rear fell to the mattress.
