Page 92 of Laird of Steel
Her heart melted into a puddle.
“T’night,” he continued, “when love runs wild and free, I’d open m’ heart to you. That’s all. I’m not askin’ for a kiss. Or a tryst. I’m not even askin’ y’ to return the words. I just think y’ should know how much y’ve meant to me. How much of a friend to me y’ve been. Mybestfriend.” He blew out a long breath then, as if his outpouring of emotion had drained him. “I’ll ne’er love another the way I love you, Merraid. And I jus’ want to have the memory o’ you and the Beltane fire t’ keep me warm when—”
Merraid would never be sure in that moment if she kissed him out of yearning or just to shut him up.
Either way, she successfully stopped his words. Words that were too powerful. Words that made her pulse race. Words that made her begin to hope, which was the most hazardous thing of all.
For one long moment, he stood frozen as she pressed her lips against his ale-flavored mouth.
She fooled herself into thinking that would be the end of it. She’d silence his reckless and futile declaration. He’d apologize for his outburst. And they would never speak of it again.
But in the next instant, everything changed.
Tentatively at first, he began to respond to her kiss. He moved his lips, coaxing hers apart. His breath sighed softly into her mouth. He tilted his head, teasing her jaw wider, deepening the kiss.
Current bolted through her as he touched the tip of his tongue to hers. She made a small moan of pleasure, which startled her and aroused him.
Capturing her chin between his thumb and finger, he trespassed farther. Delving in with his warm tongue to wage a sensual war with hers.
She yielded to his exploration and clasped his jaw between her hands, drawing him closer to make an exploration of her own. He tasted of ale and fire and fervor. An elixir both delicious and dangerous. Her thirst was great. She drank deep.
Drowning in a whirlpool of desire and curiosity, she forgot all about Carenza and Beltane. She thought only of Gellir. The lad he’d been. The man he was. Her friend. Her hero. Holding him. Kissing him. Loving him.
His deep growl of desire called to something primitive inside her. It summoned forth a woman of raw lust and raging need.
He dropped the dying torch to the forest floor, enfolding her in his arms. She answered him with a sigh of sweet surrender.
He pulled her closer. Against his hard warrior’s chest. And his soft, throbbing heart.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. Threaded her fingers through his long, lush locks. Pressed her aching breasts against him. Melted into his embrace.
They feasted on each other like insatiable, ravenous beasts, unable to gorge themselves quickly enough. And yet she wanted more. So much more.
It felt right. He felt right. As if their love was meant to be.
Would it be so unforgivable to express that love with a tryst? Just once?
In a sennight, Gellir would be wedded to someone else. Someone he didn’t love. Someone who didn’t love him. Someone who would take her hero from her forever.
Was it so wrong to want one unforgettable night with him?
It didn’t feel wrong. It would harm nobody. No one need know.
Merraid would have her virginity taken by a man she adored and admired. A man who’d take care with her and treat her tenderly.
In a sennight, they would part ways and never speak of it. But they would have one lovely memory to sustain them in melancholy moments.
Still, Gellir was a man of honor. Of rules. And codes. And chivalry.
Convincing him to ignore his conscience and follow his heart was a challenge.
But Merraid never backed down from a challenge.
As he continued to kiss her—sometimes with tenderness, sometimes with ferocity—a warm and sensuous vibration began to halo her head. Her aroused breath turned to gasps of longing. Her nipples tightened. And betwixt her thighs swelled a sharp yet pleasant craving.
She could feel the change in him as well. His breathing grew ragged as he dug desperate fingers into her back. His heart pounded, pulsing visibly in his corded throat. And when he lowered his hands, boldly grasping her buttocks and hauling her forward, she felt the shocking steel of his roused cock against her belly.
He wanted her. Nothing could be more seductive.
