Page 65 of The Cruel Highlander's Bride
Her pink lips were slightly parted, and he watched with interest as her tongue darted out and wet them. Moving his lips the slightest bit closer, he finally cupped the back of her head, wanting his tongue against hers.
Just when he was about to close the distance between them, he heard his man-at-arms calling out, “Me Laird.”
Magnus inwardly cursed. He forced himself to drop his hand and take a step back, just as Ewan rounded the castle and spotted them.
“There ye are,” Ewan said, striding towards them.
“It seems I can only escape for so long,” Magnus whispered to Ciara, who gave him a resigned smile.
Her arousal was evident, and he wanted to make good on the desire in her eyes, but he just brushed a knuckle against her cheek.
“It was a very good escape, though,” she murmured.
“Aye,” he agreed, before turning to his man-at-arms. “What is it?” he asked in a harsher tone.
“We need to talk about a few things pertaining to the trip tomorrow,” Ewan said, never surprised to be on the receiving end of his Laird’s ire.
Magnus gave Ciara one last look, and she mouthed, “Go.”
Grumbling, he turned to follow his man-at-arms back to the castle and his study.
“Are ye comin’?” he asked Ciara when she made no move to follow.
“I think I’ll enjoy the settin’ sun a little bit longer.” She paused, but he could see her lips parting with more she wanted to say. “Thank ye for today.”
“It was me pleasure,” he said.
With a nod of his head, he left her to enjoy the last bit of daylight.
The two men quickly headed back to the study, and once inside, Magnus poured himself a glass of whiskey.
Once in his chair, he asked harshly, “What is it, Ewan?”
He knew his man-at-arms was just doing his job, but he couldn’t keep the frustration out of his voice, not after that moment with his wife was interrupted.
One afternoon free of responsibilities, that was all he’d wanted.
“We need to talk about tomorrow,” Ewan replied, unflinching.
Sighing, the Laird just gestured for him to continue, not trusting himself not to snap at the man.
“We dinnae ken how the village is goin’ to react tomorrow. We both need to be on guard.”
“Obviously,” Magnus grumbled.
His wife’s safety was his top priority, and he didn’t need his man-at-arms pointing it out.
The threat that had been delivered within the walls of this very castle was never far from his mind. He knew exactly what they were getting into tomorrow, and he understood the risks better than anyone.
With his hands raised placatingly, Ewan added, “Many people can be unpredictable, and we can assume the sentiment isnae goin’ to be as positive as we want.”
“Aye, aye, I ken.”
“Do ye want to bring more guards?” he asked.
“Nay.”
Ewan looked like he wanted to argue, but Magnus shot him a look daring him to speak. Had he considered it? Of course. But they didn’t know where the person who made the threat would hit next, and his guards were already stretched thin. He needed them to remain at the castle and the border.
