Page 31 of The Highlander's Captured Bride
“Ye will,” she said.
Slowly he turned to her and saw her eyes down on her lap but her shoulders were rigid and even trembling. There was a vulnerable way to how she was holding herself, head down and fingers fidgeting on her lap, but what nearly did him in was her bottom lip caught beneath her teeth. She was worried—but why? He wished he could somehow make her know that he was attracted to her was strong, he could never act upon it.
“Violet—”
“I ken I should go back inside,” she cut him off. “It’s getting late and I am a bit tired and ye might—”
“Violet,” he said calmly, “Stop.”
Her head jerked to him and her eyes were wide. “Pardon.”
His quick, impulsive closed-mouth kiss had her going rigid. The sweet vulnerability she was showing him was like fire to a powder keg, blasting the restrains he had just sworn to abide by into rubble.
Her lips were immobile under his and he pulled away to slide a hand behind her neck. Violet’s eyes were saucer round and her lips were trembling. Instantly, he regretted his rash act. “I’m sorry, that was wrong of me, but I feel very conflicted. I am drawn to ye, more than I have ever felt with a woman, but I cannae, —willnae—have a dalliance with ye. Yer worth more than that.”
She searched his eyes. “Ye’ve been with women before.” Her words were not a question.
“Aye,” he replied, trying to judge, in the darkness, if his frankness was frightening her. “I have.”
Her body went lax and she nearly—nearly—rested her head on his shoulder, “I expected.”
“Ye did?” he asked, even though common-sense told him it would be a foolish question. Violet had senses and her mind ran in unfamiliar paths, how could she not have suspected?
“Aye,” she said. “Ye werenae aware of it but I saw the eyes of women following ye through the towns we went through. I daenae believe ye were with them, but it stands to reason, yer age, and yer striking features.”
A cold breeze did run over them and he wrapped an arm around her, carrying her to rest on her chest. “Ye ken me as striking?”
Slapping his chest lightly she huffed, “Stop fishing for compliments.”
“I’m flattered though,” he murmured in her hair. “And if nay has told ye, yer beautiful.”
“Would ye dae it again?” she asked tentatively. He knew what she meant but was not sure it would be right of him. She plucked herself from his chest and asked. “Would ye kiss me again?”
Twisting on the seat,hefelt seduced by how her long lashes trembled and pure raw hope was made visible by the moonlight above. “Why?”
“Because…” she whispered. “Ye are me first and I want to feel it right. I’m nay asking ye for a commitment, but I ken ye are the only one I trust now. So would ye, even once? That’s all I ask.”
13
She was acutely aware of Ethan’s rigid form a handbreadth away from hers. His nostrils were flaring, his left cheek was twitching and his eyes were dipping to her mouth.
“Are ye sure?” His voice was husky and a little strangled. “Are ye sure ye want me to take yer first kiss.”
Dae I?
Violet was inexperienced but not that naïve. She had met men much younger than Ethan who had shamelessly boasted about theirconquests. It was a fair assumption that Ethan had his share of bedpartners—prettier, classy, and lastly,practicedwomen. But she was not going to let slip the one chance she had to kiss a man she believed would not abuse her naivety.
“Aye,” her voice was just above a whisper, “I dae.”
The first touch of his rough hand brushing past her cheek had her shivering. Ethan hesitated before sliding his hand around the back of her neck and used his thumb to cant her head to the side. She felt his breath wash over her cheek and then his lips were on hers. Softly, barely there.
She parted her lips, his head slanted, his lips, firm and slightly chapped slid over hers, evoking fluttering sensations in her belly. Then the kiss deepened and the fleeting thoughts running through her head blurred as sultry, shivering heat ran through her.
Pressing closer, she opened further and his tongue slid into her mouth. Desire darted up her spine as she did her best to meet him. Ethan pulled away, and his eyes were dark. He came back and kissed the corner of her mouth before slotting his lips over hers and this time, his kiss was deep.
Her hands were anchored on his shoulder and his kiss was thrilling, addictive, and made heat reroute itself through her body. He licked the roof of her mouth and her hands were now clenching in his hair. Her lungs began to burn for air but she would gladly trade life for the pleasure he was giving her.
But he pulled away only to stare at her. Softly, she extricated her hands from his hair and rested them—tremblingly—on her lap. She blinked, once, twice and a third time. Summoning up the courage, she whispered, “That…that was nice.”
