Page 44 of Sins of a Scot
Iseabail was now in a great amount of pain, and collapsing into his arms, she hitched up her frock. “Och, god, me leg,” she sobbed.
“It’s all right, Iseabail. Come on. Sit down and let me look at it,” Owen ordered.
But jerking her head back and forth, she searched the grass at her feet, terrified of lowering herself into it. “There might be another one,” she cried.
Owen still held her tightly to him, but he shook his head, ignoring her protestations. “We dinnae have time, Iseabail. If the snake is poisonous, the venom will be travelling through yer body this very minute.”
Clearly still terrified, Iseabail gawked up at him, this information bringing a new wave of fear. But even hearing and acknowledging what he said, she still looked hesitant.
“Ye have tae let me look at it,” Owen demanded.
Still wary, and with her head jerking back and forth as she did so, she allowed Owen to lower her to the ground. The grass was long, perfect for any creatures to lay in hiding, and between the pain and the terror, Iseabail’s heart thumped in her breast.
Dropping to his knees beside her, Owen hurriedly began pulling at the laces of her boot.
“What the devil are ye doing?” she gasped.
But Owen ignored her, and after tossing the boot aside, he grabbed her frock and flung it so it sat above her knee. He then found the top of her stocking, and hooked his fingers around it.
Panic washed over her, and slamming her hand down on his to stop him, Iseabail cried out. “Owen. Wait. Ye cannae.”
He stared up at her then, his eyes focused, his face determined. “Dae ye want tae die, Iseabail?” he growled. “Is yer dignity really more important than yer life?”
“I…I…” she floundered.
Shaking her head, but not really knowing what she ought to think under the circumstances, Owen continued to stare at her.
“I need tae see the wound. Let me help ye, or I swear, it is likely ye will die right here in the grass.”
Iseabail then moved her hand and nodded, allowing him to continue. She hissed as he removed her stocking, the movement seeming to cause her even more agony.
Bending low to her ankle, Owen examined the bite, while Iseabail gasped and panted, trying to look at it from her less than ideal vantage point. Owen’s eyes were filled with concentration, and then, as though making a decision, he placed both hands on her leg and lowered his mouth to her ankle.
“Wait!” Iseabail cried, feeling his hands on her body was just a step too far.
Owen jerked his head to the side and glared at her. “What now?” he barked.
“What are ye doing?” she gasped, the pain taking her breath away.
“We have tae get the poison out,” he barked.
But Iseabail shook her head. “I dinnae understand. How are ye going tae get rid o’ it?”
“I need tae suck the poison from yer leg, Iseabail, and each time ye stop me, yer wasting precious time.”
It took a second for Iseabail to comprehend his meaning, and then, suddenly, she realized the danger he was putting himself in.
“Nae,” Iseabail cried. “The poison will kill ye.”
“Nae, it willnae. Just lay there and try and stay still.”
That was easier said than done, for the deep ache running further up her leg was making her writhe back and forth. A second later, she felt Owen’s lips on her leg, and the pain only worsened as he sucked at the wound.
She gasped and winced, trying not to cry out. Pushing her knuckles into her mouth, she had little choice but to endure the agony.
Several times he spat into the grass, but even as she was worried for Owen, her own self-preservation made certain that she did not stop him. Not that she could have if she had tried, at any rate, for he could easily overpower her. Besides, it was clear he was frustrated by her earlier interventions, and she doubted he would let her protestations stop him again.
He continued for a few moments more. The pain seemed to be lessening, but whether that was because he was sucking the poison from her body, or the fact that she was entirely distractedby the sensation of his lips sucking at her leg, she did not know. Even knowing how dangerous the situation was, his lips against her skin was still the most sensual experience Iseabail had ever experienced.
