Page 53 of The Mad Highlander
“I’m glad yer cousin came to me,” Cayden admitted, taking a final deep, shaky breath. “When I agreed to save yer cousin from Murdoch, I took it as a simple transaction, but this is no longer what it is. He gifted me the best lass in the world, and I would storm a dozen castles to have ye. Hunter told me somethin’ before he left. He said that ye had changed me. He is right. Yehave changed me for the better. I have become a better man because of ye.”
“That might be the best thing anyone has ever said to me. It has nae been me intention to change ye, but I am glad ye are a better man. I think we are good for each other.”
“Aye,” the Laird agreed.
They sat in silence again. The ducks had disappeared, but the intimacy between Cayden and Iris had not. Iris sat with her hand still on his thigh, and she felt warm under the sun. Her dress had not yet dried, but it did not feel cold against her skin anymore. She could not feel the cold anymore with the wonderful warm feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“I’m so glad yer sister kenned about this place,” Iris said with a smirk.
The Laird only replied with a shallow grunt as she tried to rile him up.
“And it was a wonderful idea of hers to include the meat, cheese, and wine in the picnic basket.”
“Och, she wasnae the—” The Laird turned to face her and stopped sharply. “I ken what ye are tryin’ to do, and it willnae work.”
“What willnae work?” she asked innocently. “I was only saying that she did well.”
“Ye should quit yer jestin’ with me, or I will have to throw ye in the loch again. Would ye like that?”
“Only if ye come in after me,” Iris replied.
It was Cayden’s turn to smirk. “Aye, would ye like that?”
“I dinnae ken,” she admitted. “I’d have to try it first to find out.”
“Aye, is that right?” Cayden moved as if to get up, and Iris gasped at the thought of being thrown into the loch again. “Ye dinnae seem so brave now!” Cayden laughed again, and it boomed across the loch.
“I ne’er said I was brave. I only told ye what I might want,” Iris claimed.
“And what is it ye want?” Cayden demanded, the familiar growl tainting his words.
Iris clammed up at the question. She knew exactly what she wanted but felt embarrassed to say it out loud. She wanted to beg for his hands to explore her body or for his tongue to work its magic in her folds again. She wanted to feel his lips on hers and rake at his back with her fingernails. She wanted to scream out in pleasure under his body.
“How about I tell ye whatIwant,” Cayden suggested.
“Aye, ye could,” Iris said nervously.
“Or, I could show ye.” Cayden took the hand that was on his thigh and held it there. He leaned forward, bringing his lips close enough that Iris could feel his warm breath.
Iris’ lips had already parted when he brushed against them.
“This is what ye want, isnae it?” he whispered.
“Aye,” she replied.
He pressed his lips to hers, pushing his tongue out to part her lips more, and he licked her tongue gently. Iris felt her chest rise and fall quicker, even though the movements were languid. The kiss was slow and deep, but it caused her heart to beat much faster than it ever had previously.
A soft moan erupted from Iris’ throat as their tongues danced together in her mouth, and she brought her free hand to his bare chest. It felt like fire, but it did not burn her. It was a warm light that engulfed and protected her. She rubbed her hand through the tufts of hair on his chest and felt his muscles—they were far more than a warm light; they sent a tremble through her arm, down her chest, and deep into her cave. They unlocked something primal within her.
The Laird pulled back, and Iris leaned forward to prolong the kiss. When they came apart, Iris felt like the wild animal of the two of them.
“Did ye like that?” Cayden asked.
Iris nodded. “Aye.”
“Do ye want me to bring ye more pleasure again like before?”
“Aye, I do.”
