Page 33 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“All the time.”
“So how in God’s name do you live with yourself?”
“I was tryin’ to protect ye. And clearly, I was wrong.”
“You had no right,” Ava hissed, stepping closer to him. “Absolutely no right to assume that responsibility.”
“I had every right, lass. Ye are in me castle.”
“Yes, your castle. How will I ever forget? You know, if you actually listen to me for a second, instead of trying to turn every single thing into an avenue for a fight?—”
Brodrick laughed harshly. “Listen to ye?”
“Yes!” Ava almost screamed.
“No. How aboutyelisten tome,lass. I ken this is yer job, and ye must do it and leave by the end of the month, but as long as ye stay inmecastle, ye live bymerules.”
“Your rules?” Ava echoed, the frustration in her voice undeniable.
She noticed almost immediately that the gap between them had grown smaller. Who was closing it, she couldn’t tell. Maybe she had moved first, maybe he had. But now, they were only a breath apart.
“Aye, me rules,” Brodrick insisted.
It was clear he didn’t notice that at all. Or if he did, he wasn’t acknowledging it.
“No! I don’t live by anybody’s rules. I willnotlive by your rules.”
The gap between them was now practically nonexistent. Ava could see the gold flecks in his hazel eyes, the way his lips moved, even if out of frustration.
“Ye ken, it might benefit ye to be at me mercy.”
“And I reckon you would like that, wouldn’t you?!” Ava scoffed, her voice begrudgingly low.
“I would like that very much,” Brodrick whispered, his voice now laced with something else. Something deeper and primal.
Before Ava could blink, he reached for her waist and pulled her close to him. Their lips slammed together, and for almost a few seconds, one set of lips was trying to overpower the other—a battle coated with ale.
Brodrick lifted her and placed her on his desk, his hands snaking across her back and her sides. It was almost like he wanted to hold every inch of her, like he couldn’t get enough of her. They both grunted as Ava pulled him even closer, her lips locked with his, almost like she wanted to jump into his skin.
She broke the kiss but only so she could catch her breath. But as soon as she gasped for air, Brodrick sealed his lips over hers again in a punishing kiss.
He wedged himself between her legs, his hands cupping the back of her head, and the kiss grew even more heated as the candlelight flickered around them. Ava slid her hands up his back and pulled him closer, feeling his fingers trail down her neck, her chest, her gown. Her hands moved to his biceps, and she dug her fingernails into his skin as he ground himself against her. She could feel every hard line of his body. The firmness of his chest and his stomach. She could feel the bulge in his?—
Ava broke the kiss again, staring hard at him as they both panted heavily. But the heat in the room soon dissipated, only to be replaced by disbelief.
What had she just done?
CHAPTER11
Ava staredat Brodrick as if what had just happened was entirely his fault. As if she hadn’t had her arms wrapped around him a few minutes ago. They both remained still, staring at each other, their ragged breaths echoing between them.
“Lass—” he started.
“No.” Ava raised her hand, cutting him off.
She just needed silence. Silence to process what had just happened. Silence to berate herself and snap her mind back to reality. To the reality where nothing could happen between them. Silence to compose herself and apologize.
“My apologies,” she whispered, still sounding a little dazed.
