Page 40 of Trapped By the Wicked Highlander
“What do ye want, Hunter?” she asked, her tone clipped.
He shifted his weight, suddenly feeling like a fool. “I came to talk,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. “I shouldnae have shouted at ye.”
She crossed her arms, unimpressed. “Aye, ye shouldnae have.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Her coldness unsettled him more than her anger, and he hated how much it mattered. He had come to make peace, but now he felt unsteady, like he was standing at the edge of something dangerous. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling through his nose.
“I believe I’m cursed,” he admitted, the words heavy as stones.
Cassandra blinked, her brows pulling together. “What?”
“I daenae want me curse to harm Elena,” he said, his voice low. “Everyone I’ve ever loved has died. It’s only a matter of time before I lose her, too.”
She let out a sharp breath, shaking her head. “Och, ye’re a bampot.”
His lips twitched despite himself. “That so?”
“Aye,” she said, stepping closer, her eyes fierce. “If ye were truly cursed, would Daniel still be alive? Would Jessica?”
Hunter clenched his jaw, his chest tightening at how easily she dismissed his fears. He had carried this belief for years, let it carve itself into his bones. But now, with her standing so close, her fire melting through his defenses, he felt something shift inside him. He didn’t know if he could believe her, but he wanted to.
“I’m nae sure if I’ll ever be convinced,” he admitted, his voice quiet.
Cassandra studied him, her gaze softer now. “Then we’ll solve it with time,” she said, reaching out to brush a loose strand of hair from his forehead. “And I’ll help ye.”
Her touch was light, but it set fire to his skin. The space between them felt smaller, the air thick with something unspoken. He could see the rise and fall of her breath, feel the warmth of her body just inches from his. If he moved even a fraction closer, he knew he would be lost.
He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Ye should be careful offerin’ help to a cursed man, lass.”
Cassandra tilted her head, her lips curving slightly. “Och, I’ve never been one for caution when it comes to those in need. ‘Tis why I'm a healer."
Hunter’s breath caught, his control slipping. He wanted to kiss her, to claim her, to lose himself in her entirely. But instead, he stepped back, his heart hammering in his chest.
Hunter stared at Cassandra, his pulse roaring in his ears. Her words had been simple, but they unraveled something inside him, something he had fought to keep locked away. He wasn’t sure if it was the way she looked at him, or the quiet certainty in her voice, but his restraint shattered.
Before he could stop himself, he closed the space between them and crushed his lips to hers.
He was relieved when Cassandra stiffened for only a moment before melting into him and her hands gripped the fabric of his tunic as she kissed him back, matching his urgency.
His lips rough and demanding against hers. A soft sound escaped her throat, and it sent a jolt of fire through his veins.
“Ye kiss me like this lass, and I daenae think I can control meself,” his voice was thick with lust.
“Maybe I daenae want ye to control yerself anymore,” she whispered back.
Hunter deepened the kiss, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. The feel of her, soft and warm against him, sent his control spiraling further. He had never wanted anyone like this—like a fever that refused to break. He knew he should stop, knew this was dangerous, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.
Cassandra’s fingers traced up his chest before she suddenly broke the kiss, her breath ragged. She stared at him, her cheeks flushed, her eyes dark with something unspoken. The weight of what they had just done settled between them, thick and heavy.
“Hunter,” she whispered, her voice shaking, but she didn’t step away.
"Aye, lass," he replied.
"I daenae ken what's happenin’ to me," she said.
"I do… it's pleasure. I mean to give ye more of it," he said.
With that he picked her up by the waist as he kissed her. Setting her down on the table's edge. His kisses moved down her neck, hungry and filled with desire.
