Page 31 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
“What are ye doin’ here, Hunter?” she asked.
“I could ask ye the same thing, cause I daenae believe this is just about a honey cake” Hunter replied, his voice smooth with that playful edge that sent a shiver down her spine. He steppedcloser, his eyes never leaving hers, and she could feel the weight of his gaze as he took in the sight of her with her hair down. “Couldnae sleep, could ye?”
“Could say the same for ye,” Cassandra replied, though it came out more as a question than a statement. She glanced down at the cake in her hand, suddenly feeling self-conscious again. “I was… lookin’ for somethin’ sweet to occupy me mind. And now, it seems, ye’ve caught me.”
Hunter’s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Aye, well, I cannae say I’m surprised. Ye seem like a lass with a sweet tooth.” He leaned in a little closer, his breath warm against her skin, and Cassandra’s breath hitched, her heart racing. “But I’ll admit, I’m more amused by the way ye froze with that cake in yer hand.”
Cassandra’s flush deepened, and she forced herself to meet his gaze, trying to steady her breathing. “Aye, well, it’s nae every day a man walks into the kitchen in the middle of the night and catches me mid-bite.”
She paused, glancing down at the half-eaten cake in her hand before meeting his eyes again. “What do ye think? Should I just finish it before ye say somethin’ else to make me even more embarrassed?”
“Aye, ye should, lass. But I’d much rather ye share it with me.” His smirk softened into something more genuine, and he reached for her hand holding the cake. “I’ve a bit of a sweet tooth meself, ye ken.”
Then he slowly led her hand to feeding him the cake. He took a small bite. She gulped down the lump in her throat as he did this in the most sensual manner she could imagine.
“Ye always seemed too serious for sweets," she said.
"Nay, I have a taste for anythin’ sweet," he said, his voice low and filled with lust. “Besides, ye were clearly enjoyin’ it. I thought I’d join ye.”
Cassandra couldn’t stop the pink that flushed her face as she sat down, putting distance between them.
“Aye, well, I suppose I did enjoy it a little.” She leaned back in her chair, her gaze meeting his. “And now I’m satisfied.”
Hunter raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, his gaze intense. “And are ye truly satisfied, lass?” he asked, his voice low, laced with an unspoken challenge.
Cassandra bit her lip, a teasing glint in her eyes as she picked up another cake. “Perhaps one more bite,” she said, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
She watched as his expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and pleasure crossing his face.
Hunter sat in a chair across from her, a thoughtful expression on his face, and then his smirk returned. “Well then, I suppose Ishould join ye?” he said with a wink, his voice smooth and full of promise.
Cassandra’s heart fluttered in her chest, and for the first time in days, she felt at ease—at least for a moment.
"Ye’re still wearin’ the same dress," he remarked, his tone both bemused and slightly reproachful.
Cassandra froze, the directness of his gaze made her stomach flip, and she quickly turned her attention to the table, hoping to hide the flush creeping up her neck.
"Aye, well," Cassandra began, trying to keep her voice steady, "I dinnae think I’d be gone this long from McAllister Castle. I packed a few dresses, and I’ve worn them all." Her words felt rushed, almost defensive, as if she could explain her situation away with a simple excuse. She felt his eyes on her, and the heat of his scrutiny made her even more uncomfortable, making the soft fabric of her dress feel even more suffocating.
Hunter, ever the stubborn one, crossed his arms and let out a low grunt. "Ye daenae need to explain yerself, lass," he muttered, eyeing the dress again. "I’ll take ye to the seamstress in the village for new dresses tomorrow, then."
His voice was firm, as if the matter was settled already, and Cassandra was left with no room for argument. His words had an edge to them that she couldn’t ignore, but they also carried an unexpected weight—a weight she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
Cassandra felt her pulse quicken at the offer, her thoughts racing. She opened her mouth to protest, but the words caught in her throat. “I—I daenae need new dresses,” she said quickly, trying to downplay the situation. “I’m fine with what I have,” she added, even though she wasn’t sure that was true.
The thought of spending an entire day with him, picking out dresses, made her feel strangely vulnerable. The idea of being that close to him, with no escape, made her chest tighten.
But Hunter didn’t seem to care for her protests. He looked at her with that same determined expression, as if his mind was already made up. "Aye, ye do," he grumbled, waving a hand dismissively. "Ye’ll be ready early tomorrow mornin’. We leave tomorrow" he said, his voice brokering no argument.
Before she could muster another word, Hunter turned on his heel and made his way toward the door, leaving her standing there in the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. The sudden silence that followed his departure felt oppressive. She stood still for a moment, trying to steady her breathing. His words echoed in her mind—"ready early midmornin’." The thought of spending the entire day with him, trapped in the close confines of a village trip, made her stomach flutter with a strange mix of excitement and dread.
Cassandra took a deep breath and pressed a hand to her forehead. What was it about him that made her feel so unnerved?
She couldn’t deny it anymore; she desired him. And that desire, that need to be near him, was something she couldn’t ignore, but also something that terrified her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"Take care of Elena, daenae take yer eyes off her," Hunter said to Jessica.
