Page 82 of Highland Sword
Her knee pressed into his groin when she tried to raise her body, drawing a grunt. His hand grabbed her breast as he tried to help her. They kept trying to extricate themselves, but their hands were everywhere, the touches inadvertently inappropriate. By the time Morrigan and Aidanfinally got to their feet, the children were jumping around them, and the adult onlookers were in hysterics.
Morrigan was mortified, but Aidan retained his good humor. He was already exchanging pleasantries with Isabella as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
“We have aMr.Wolf now,” Catriona yelled excitedly, ready to play again.
Fiona took each of her children by the hand. “We promised Mr. Gordon a visit, didn’t we?” She didn’t wait for their answer and dragged them out of the room.
Isabella suddenly needed to see a patient who, oddly enough, was coming to the castle in the middle of the snowstorm. Maisie herded the other children toward the door, saying she could hear their parents calling. Auld Jean took one long, wistful look at the comfortable fire and shuffled toward them. She stared at Morrigan, then at Aidan, then back to Morrigan.
“That mutton’s been simmering in the pot long enough. I’d say the meat’s cooked.” With a shake of her head, she made her way out of the drawing room, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Morrigan stared after her. Everyone was gone.
“I never realized I had this effect on people,” Aidan said.
They were standing so close, their shoulders touched. A minute ago, she would have kissed him if they didn’t have an audience. Now, she didn’t trust herself being left alone with him.
“We should… I should go help Isabella.”
She started to walk away, but he caught her arm and turned her around. This time, he didn’t ask permission. He didn’t wait for her to kiss him first. Aidan pulled her into his arms and lowered his lips to hers.
Morrigan couldn’t remember why she’d wanted to run away. Her hands clutched at his back as the pressure of his mouth increased.
The give and take of their mouths continued. They were both starved for each other.
“I’ve missed you,” he whispered. “Missed you every day.”
She wanted to say the same thing back to him. She wanted to tell him how hard it had been. He was always with her, constantly in her thoughts.
His lips descended again, and their kiss deepened. His tongue explored her mouth, and Morrigan felt his hand slide down her back and encircle her waist. He pulled her even tighter against his solid body. She felt nothing but the incredible heat that seemed to possess them both.Almostnothing. His trousers did little to hide the hardening evidence of his arousal. But Morrigan wasn’t afraid. She wanted him.
Suddenly, she was frantic to satisfy the hunger. Her hands moved inside his coat and felt the powerful muscles of his back. It was miraculous, the way her body felt, softening and molding itself to the hard contours of his.
The sound of footsteps and a dull clatter of metal could be heard approaching in the hallway. Clarity returned instantly and with it, sanity. The two of them jumped apart. She was breathless. He straightened his trousers and moved to the window, shoving it open to the chill wind and a flurry of snow.
A servant came in carrying a bucket with her tools. She was surprised to find anyone left in the room. “I’m so sorry, mistress. I was going to see to the fire.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Morrigan said hurriedly, crossing over to the hearth. Not that she needed to feel any warmer.
The young woman curtsied and left, and Aidan closed the window before coming to her side. He took the pokers out of her hand.
“Allow me.”
She stepped back and watched him. His hair was longer than the last time she’d seen him. Every time they were together, he grew more handsome, more confident in everything he did.
He put the tools away and stood up. The way his gaze moved over her, Morrigan wondered if he was going to take her into his arms and kiss her again.
She glanced meaningfully to the door that was now wide open.
“I had intended to get back here for Christmas, but Sebastian and I ended up spending it at Carrie House.”
“Your brother is well?” she asked, recalling his letters.
“Resurrected like Lazarus from the cave. Unfortunately.”
“The day was a quiet affair at Dalmigavie.” She sat on a chair a safe distance away from him. “I understand the Highlanders make up for it on Hogmanay.”
“Indeed. That promises to be a festive event.”
