Page 25 of The Iron Highlander
As she worked on the injury, Reuben took a deep breath. He could still smell it, beneath the smell of sweat and earth, the lavender scent of the woman who was in front of him. He leaned in close to her, staring at her. His eyes scanned her face, going from her eyes to her lips, and her cheeks.
The Laird moved his other arm slowly around the small of her waist, pulling her close to him. She hesitated for a moment, butthen she let him. The feeling drove Reuben to new heights. He wanted her, and she did not seem to be moving away, which was a good sign. Brushing her hair off her cheek, he brought his face closer and closer to hers, with the tips of their noses now making contact.
“Ye can stop me any time, Kate.” Reuben whispered in a sultry voice which stunned him as well.
She stared into his eyes, searching quietly. Unable to hold back anymore, Reuben took another step forward and their lips collided. The Laird was stunned with just how soft her lips were as they met. He felt her glide along with him hesitantly for a moment, but then, she kissed him back, pushing herself forward as she let her tongue and lips fought against his own for supremacy.
Reuben felt a wild sense of pleasure rushing through him. He ran his hand through her hair, holding her face in his own as he took from her. Their tongues intertwining, battling back and forth for who could have the most. She was more than he had expected, softer than anyone he had ever kissed. He wanted more of her; the more he kissed her, the more he wanted. It felt like an insatiable hunger dwelling inside of him, threatening to consume him if he did not fulfill it.
Kate quickly took a step back, staring up at him. Reuben stared at her eyes, seeing the passion turn to insecurity. She was questioning herself, and if she should be kissing him. Reuben took a step forward to hold her again, but she put a hand up, stopping him.
“We need to get back to the castle. There could be more men on their way.”
Chapter 13
As the castlecame into view, Kate let out a sigh of relief, glad to be back in the safety of the house and away from the madness which had just occurred. Her mind had been put at ease, by the fact that the man she had shot at had survived, however, there was something else bothering her.
It rode behind her on a separate horse, and without looking back, she knew that Reuben was staring right at her. She shut her eyes for a moment, and felt his lips on hers. His tongue searching her mouth, bold and demanding, holding her as an aroused hostage. Teeth gently grazing her bottom lip.
Kate forced her eyes open as her mind began to lie to her, telling her that she had enjoyed the kiss. She tried to tell herself differently, to shut the idea down and out of her mind. But deep down, as the air brushed against her lips, she felt the Laird once again.
As the horses pulled up to the castle, Kate saw her sisters, along with the Lady of the McDonald estate standing up in the balcony. They all had smiles on their faces, obviously excited for the return of both parties. Kate wondered why they were so happy for a moment, but watched as their faces went from smiles to shock as they noticed her ripped clothes, and Reuben’s bloody arm. Kate stopped her horse just in front of the stable, jumping off as a servant took the beast away.
Reuben did the same, turning to Kate just as Hudson ran up to him. “Kate, m…”
But she was in no mood to listen. Kate felt incredibly stupid. She had kissed the very same man she had accused of killing her parents. There was no excuse for such a thing, other than her own lack of self-control. She rushed up the stairs, with Hudson speaking to Reuben behind her. As she got into the main chambers, Lily and Freya ran up to her, with Willow and Grear walking quickly behind them.
“Kate! Oh dear. Kate, are ye alright?” Lily asked as she reached her sister, grabbing her arms and looking down her body.
“I’m fine, Lily, I’m fine.” Kate turned to look at Grear, assuring her with a nod that she was truly fine.
“What about my son, how is he?” Grear asked, starting to walk past Kate as Reuben ad Hudson walked in.
“I’m fine, Maither, just a little wounded, but I’ll live,” Reuben replied with a curt smile, before turning to Kate.
She quickly turned her head away, not wanting to make eye contact. Seeing him would remind her, and she was not ready to deal with the emotions, or the way her body would react.
Damn my body for reacting!she thought to herself.
“Well is anybody goin’ to tell us what happened?” Willow asked, looking from Kate to Reuben as both tried and failed to get the other’s gaze.
“We were attacked,” Reuben fired off first, seeing that Kate was not going to respond. Kate nodded in correlation, and Reuben continued. “I believe it was a mercenary. He fired at us from the trees, missing us, but just barely. I was unarmed and unable to do anything.”
“So how did ye escape?” Willow asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yer sister here saved our lives. Apparently. She is a great shot with the bow. Landed a great blow on the mercenary, but the man escaped. I’m certain he won’t be taking on any jobs for a while. Not after this. I owe my life to yer sister.”
“It was nothin’, I just fired at what I saw.”
Grear nodded, “And ye both came home afterwards?”
“Aye, we had to. I was going to give chase, but I couldnae leave Kate all on her own out there. So, we turned back and headedhome. Her safety was the most important thing. That’s why ye sent me there, wasnae?”
Grear smiled, looking from Kate to Reuben. Kate realized that the only reason Reuben had come there in the first place was because Grear had sent him there to come help her. But she had not asked for him. She quickly pondered on the Lady’s reason for sending her son out to meet her. She wondered if Grear somehow knew about the attack beforehand.
“Alright, enough standing around. Reuben, head to the infirmary, and we will have Hilda come look at yer wounds.” Grear turned to Kate. “Sure ye daenae need any help, Kate?”
“Certain of it,” Kate replied. She realized her voice had come off a little harsher than she had expected, and she bowed her head. “I would like to be excused now.”
