Page 32 of A Virgin for the Highland Beast
Every ounce of his being tingled. It was as if she held him captive in every sense of the word. But his imprisonment wasn’t behind bars or torture from whips, no. It was her arms wrapped around his neck binding him to her. It was her lips taunting and torturing him.
Hunter didn’t know how much more he could take before breaking. Thoughts of sweeping her off her feet and bringing her to his bed filled his mind. He wanted to lose control of his wits and dwell in ecstasy.
Emma pulled back, gulping down air. The brief interlude was all Hunter needed to regain his composure.
Holding her gaze, he swallowed hard, the apology spilling from his lips. “I’m sorry.”
“Dinnae apologize,” she gasped as his words hung heavily in the air between them.
There was a plea in her eyes that he couldn’t ignore, and as much as he wanted to give in and give her what she wanted, he pushed off from the door and stepped away from her.
“Ye need to leave.”
Emma stood before him, hesitant and uncertain. Her lips and longing still burned him, as if the kiss seeped into his soul and stirred the desires of his heart.
“Hunter, please, dinnae shut me out.”
Her voice was ragged, but he knew that if he didn’t stop it now, he wouldn’t be able to again.He turned his back to her, effectively shutting her out.
“I thought ye said ye’d do as ye’re told,” Hunter growled as his jaw flexed.
He didn’t like the words slipping out of his mouth, but it was the only way to keep his heart safe.
The soft gasp from Emma rattled him, but if he turned around, he’d pull her to him and never let her go. The soft rustle of her dress was the only evidence of her speedy retreat. The echo of her footsteps fading away was a symphony of regret that played loudly in his mind.
Hunter ran his fingers through his hair, a futile attempt to dispel the chaos brewing within him. The castle, which was once his refuge, now felt claustrophobic.
He yearned for the freedom of the outdoors, and thoughts of taking another swim crossed his mind. But the hour was late, so much later than he expected, and he didn’t dare wash the scent of Emma off him, no matter how it tormented him.
What am I doing?
Moving to his bed, he dressed quickly as he tried to push aside his longing, but it was no use. His body ached for her touch, for her lips, for her body to crush against his in unbridled passion.
Clenching his teeth, he glanced at the door. The walls of his room were far too stifling for him to remain there. He needed an escape.
Abandoning the confines of his chamber, Hunter traded the oppressiveness of the cold stone for the sanctuary of the library.
He hoped to lose himself within the pages of a book, to escape his reality in the tales of far-off lands and heroic deeds. But as he plucked a book off the shelf and settled down to read, the words danced meaninglessly before his eyes. His mind was far too preoccupied by the lingering taste of Emma’s lips on his.
“Thought I might find ye in here.”
Hunter glanced over his book to find Archie strolling into the dim light of the library. Closing his book, Hunter shifted in his seat.
“So, what did the lass want?” Archie asked, strolling over to Hunter and plopping down on the seat in front of him.
“How did ye ken… Dinnae answer,” Hunter said with a shake of his head.
It was bad enough Emma tormented his thoughts, but to ponder over what transpired between her and Archie… well, Hunter didn’t want to know.
“Found the lass roamin’ the halls,” Archie answered.
“And ye showed her to me chambers,” Hunter finished, feeling the flush of irritation gracing his face.
“What was I supposed to do? Lead her on a wild goose chase? Did ye nae want her there?”
“It doesnae matter now, what’s done is done,” Hunter said as images of Emma’s face popped into his head.
The sting of her kiss still burned his lips.
