Page 74 of Trapped with the Vicious Highlander
“And I am telling you that I would have learned it one way or another.”
“Ye ken, ‘tis nae good manners to argue with the Laird.”
“Oh, is that so? What would happen if I do?”
“Well, typically, ye get punished.”
Ava’s eyes twinkled, briefly reflecting the nearby candlelight. “Is that what you plan to do to me, My Laird? Punish me?”
A smirk tugged at Brodrick’s lips. “If I have to, I will.”
“And how, pray tell, will you punish me?”
Brodrick leaned closer to her, his lips grazing the bottom of her ear. His whispers felt warm, and tingly, causing goosebumps to run down Ava’s body.
“Let us go to me study, and I shall show ye how.”
Ava smiled.
“Lead the way, M’Laird.” She whispered in response, taking a quick glance around the great hall. Brodrick did the same as well, his heart beating so fast it would break out of his chest. No one paid them any attention so far so he didn't think anyone would even notice if they snuck out of his room.
He was right. No one did.
* * *
Ava pushed the study door shut right before Brodrick pressed her against it and slammed his lips against her own. The kiss was desperate, searching, seeking. As if every word they wanted to say to each other could only be expressed that way.
Brodrick’s hands roamed over every inch of her body, looking for something to hold, something to grab onto. It was like he wanted to melt into her and become one with her.
A gargled moan escaped Ava’s lips as he moved his lips away from hers, down her chin, and across her neck. Her head lolled back, and she closed her eyes, relishing the feel of his lips caressing her skin, making it tingle.
Almost like it had started, the kiss suddenly stopped.
Ava tensed, and Brodrick noticed almost immediately. His hands dropped to his sides as he stepped back and took a look at her, an expression of utter confusion on his face.
“What just happened, lass?”
Ava shook her head. “Don’t you think this is all a little too… fast?”
“’Tis nae our first time, is it?”
Ava rubbed her eyes. “I know. I know. It’s why this makes it more complicated.”
It dawned on Brodrick, before she could even say it, exactly what she was talking about. He turned and headed to his desk, his eyes catching the flames dancing in the hearth.
“Ye’re leavin’ soon,” he whispered, almost as if the words were forbidden. Like the name of a mage he wasn’t supposed to utter.
“Yes. That is why I’m beginning to think this whole thing is a bad idea. Our time together is temporary. And I think it’ll only hurt more when it ends. We need—Ineed to start preparing for that. And I need to start doing that now.”
Brodrick nodded absently, almost like everything she was saying was not registering. “So, what do ye want to do?”
Ava moved closer to him, the sadness in her eyes piercing enough to penetrate even the hardest of souls. She leaned in and planted a firm kiss on his cheek. He didn’t recoil or move away. He just remained in the same spot, frozen. And he took it.
“Goodnight, My Laird,” she whispered and turned around.
Watching her walk away was so terrifyingly haunting that Brodrick had to look somewhere, anywhere but at her.
He heard the door click open, and just as soon, he heard it close. Silence descended over the room, making the ringing in his ears louder.
