Page 53 of Sins of a Scot
“I want another try. Only this time, ye must compel me tae dae something I already want tae dae. I want tae ken the difference between compulsion and desire. It may prove useful in the future. I didnae feel thirsty when ye compelled it, but what if I had been thirsty already?”
At first, she looked a little wary, but then, she sighed, as though appeasing a child. “Fine. Give me something that ye want tae dae?”
Owen looked directly in her eyes, and leaning forward a little, he murmured, “I want tae kiss ye.”
Iseabail’s eyes widened, her lips parted, and a gasp left her mouth. He was certain she wanted it as much as he. The gazesthey had shared, the gentle touches, the moments they had been lost together, had not involved just his feelings alone.
She seemed to be on the cusp of agreeing, but then she shook her head. “I dinnae think this is a good idea.”
He knew her reasons, but he was not going to let her get away without challenging them. “What are ye afraid o’, Iseabail? Are ye afraid o’ me?”
Absently, she shook her head. “Nae at all. In fact,” she looked at him softly, “I dinnae think I’ve felt this safe in a long time.”
Owen smiled. “I’m glad tae hear that. I will always protect ye. Ye ken that, dinnae ye?”
She nodded again. “I dae.”
“Good. Then come on. I want tae ken what happens. And I suspect,” he said, his mouth curling into a smile, “that ye dae too.”
She hesitated for a second more, and then finally relented. “All right,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. “Are ye ready?”
Owen shifted himself so he was less than a foot away from her. “More than ye ken,” he growled back.
Her eyes widened at his answer, and then she said. “Kiss me.”
Strangely enough, Owen didn’t feel much different in that moment, for the want of her lips on his had been growing since they had danced. Yet, there was a slight change. He now felt unable to resist his desire any longer. There was an unbearable feeling, as though he might die if he didn’t kiss her.
Slowly, he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, and even more slowly, he lowered his lips to hers. As he imagined they would be, her lips were soft and tender, and as his stomach clenched, he lost himself in the tender embrace. It started off gently, but the more aroused he became, the more he wanted, and when Iseabail lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck, he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her tightly to him.
Slipping his tongue inside her mouth, he roved about, the sweet taste making him only want her more. His tongue explored her, lashing against her tongue and teeth, and now panting, he opened his mouth wider as the passion between them grew.
He was breathless, and yet, he did not want to stop. With his manhood now rock hard, he wanted so much more, and yet, he knew that a kiss was all they had agreed. His hands roamed across her back, pulling her into him even further, forcing her firm breasts against his solid chest. He did not want to let her go, his desire for her felt unsatiable. And yet, he knew that he must.
Reticently, he softened the kiss, and slowly, he pulled himself away.
For a long moment, they sat there, breathlessly panting. They could do little else but look at each other, neither able tospeak, for Owen certainly had no words. Words would ruin this moment, for there were none that would give any meaning to how he was feeling. He wanted her, he desired her, but the sensation he felt was even deeper than that. He had wanted plenty of lasses before, but this felt different. Different, but by no means unpleasant.
“Perhaps it is time we called it a night,” Iseabail breathed, her eyes flicking across his face, seemingly looking for some sort of reaction from him.
What she was looking for, however, Owen could not know. It certainly wasn’t a reply to what she had just said. Her gaze was too intense.
“I think that’s a good idea,” he replied, his voice loaded with the passion he had felt only moments before.
Reaching down, Owen took hold of his necklace. Bending his head forward, he returned it to his throat once more. He then stood, and offered her his hand.
“Come on. Ye’ve done enough compelling for one night.”
They returned to the tavern in silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, but a quiet that spoke to the depth of whatever it was they were both currently feeling. Reaching their room, Owen felt suddenly nervous as he eyed the bed. After what he had just experienced, surely getting into that bed together was a bad idea.
“I’ll sleep on the floor,” he said.
“Nae, ye willnae,” Iseabail countered. “It will be fine.”
She looked at him as though she were trying to convince him of that, and Owen couldn’t help but wonder if Iseabail was feeling the same nervousness as he was.
“I dinnae mind,” he said.
“Well, I dae,” she replied. She then looked him directly in the eye. “I trust ye, Owen. Just as much as ye trust me.”
