She was suddenly aware of an abundance of moisture between her legs. It had to be female arousal, something she’d only experienced when near Keegan. The tingling and yearning only intensified.
He stepped away, bent and took up his sporran, sword and baldric.
Nay. She wanted to protest. His body against her had felt better than anything she’d ever experienced.
“’Twas what I wished for, too,” she whispered, torn between need for him and shock at herself. Had she truly said that aloud?
He paused in putting on his sporran and turned his head toward her. “What?”
She should keep her lips sealed tight. Confessing her thoughts and feelings would only make the situation more precarious. At the same time, she would never have what she wanted if she didn’t show courage. “’Twas what I wanted…. You are the only man who has ever kissed me.”
Chapter Eleven
Keegan halted, Seona’s words spurring fierce desire within him.
’Twas what I wanted…. You are the only man who has ever kissed me.
“Saints,” he hissed. Of course, he’d expected that she was an innocent, but to know he was the first and only man to kiss her sent possessiveness pounding through his blood.
She was meant to be his… had to be.
His first instinct was to kiss her again, but he forced himself to be rational. Truth was, he wanted to do far more than kiss her… but he couldn’t seduce her.
His aching and rebellious body told him he was wrong.
He drew in a deep breath and held it, trying to smother his carnal yearnings. Aye, he’d played with fire when he’d kissed her, but to know she felt the same, to hear that she wanted his kisses… it near destroyed his resolve.
Still, he had to wait and ask her father for her hand.
“Seona, I would love naught more than to kiss you again. To kiss you all night, but ’tis not something I should do.”
She stared at the floor. “You’re right.”
“You’re an innocent lady, and I would never want to do anything to ruin your future.”
She nodded. “You’re an honorable gentleman,” she whispered. “Besides, I wasn’t suggesting you kiss me again. I only wanted you to know there is no reason to apologize.”
Was she angry with him? Or had he hurt her feelings? Hell, what did he know about women? Keegan’s stomach knotted as he tried to figure out what to say. “Aye, well, I simply wanted you to know how I felt. You tempt me beyond reason. And to know that you enjoy my kisses…” He blew out a sharp breath. “Makes me near insane.”
Her dark blue gaze lifted to his. The emotion and passion he saw there was like a punch to the gut.
“Iosa is Muire Mhàthair,” he muttered, grinding his teeth. How could she affect him so profoundly? He wanted to forget everything and kiss her… lay her on his plaid before the hearth, then make love to her for the rest of the night. He’d have to start off slow and gentle so as not to frighten her.
But he couldn’t. Not until she was his, in truth. Forever. Because once he had her, he’d never let her go.
“I bid you goodnight,” Seona said, then hurried out the door.
“’Slud,” he muttered in the silence and sucked in a deep breath. He could hardly think for the arousal flooding his veins. He should be glad she’d left—’twas best for them both—but at the same time, being without her made him feel lonely and empty.
After blowing out the candles, he exited the room, heading out to check on the guards and see if the outlaws had shown their faces.
***
Seona slipped back into the chamber where her aunt was sleeping. The fire in the hearth provided enough light for her to see what she was doing. Millie, one of the maids, arose from the small cot in the corner and helped Seona undress.
“I thank you,” Seona whispered. Wearing her smock, she climbed into the big bed beside Aunt Patience. She was glad to see her aunt hadn’t moved. Her deep breaths puffed in and out in the steady rhythm of sleep.
Seona, on the other hand, was too excited to sleep. She turned onto her side, her body still burning from Keegan’s touch, from his kiss, and the words he’d spoken to her.
You tempt me beyond reason.
Her heart sped up. Indeed, he tempted her beyond reason, too. In fact, she’d been shocked at her own courage when she’d confessed she wanted his kisses and that he was the only man who’d ever kissed her. He’d tried to hide his reaction to that, but she’d sensed he was suppressing something powerful. Arousal? Emotion? Or a potent combination of both?
Prior to her talk with Isobel, no one had seen fit to educate her on what to expect in bed with a man. Even though she’d recently learned a lot, Seona remained curious about every aspect of lovemaking. She suspected it might be something she could enjoy. Isobel did; so why not? With the right man, of course.
Before she’d met Keegan, she couldn’t have imagined being so tempted by a man. She’d always thought the marriage bed was something to be dreaded and feared. Something violent, painful and humiliating for the woman. And something a man could crow about.
Now she knew different.
Earlier, when Keegan’s erection had pressed against her, clear evidence that he wanted her, a primitive need for him had come over her, as if he was her mate and she wished to please him.
She relished his desire, but she admired his restraint and honor just as much. He was a good man, putting what was best for her ahead of his own needs.
She well knew, for ladies and lairds, passion and marriage were rarely experienced with the same person. But wouldn’t it be hell on earth to be married to one person and in love with another? She couldn’t fathom it, nor would she be able to endure it.
Her heart had never yearned for anything or anyone like it yearned for Keegan.
But she didn’t know how she could marry him, or even if he wanted to marry her. Her father would never permit a match between them, anyway, even with Keegan’s new position as tanist. ’Twas a waste of time to even contemplate it… but she did. She couldn’t help herself.
Seona couldn’t imagine all the things Keegan would teach her in bed. He would kiss her and undress her. He might caress every inch of her skin. He would guide her hands and show her how he liked to be touched.
Recalling his broad shoulders, muscular arms, trim abdomen and intriguing masculine attributes as he’d strode from the loch, she envisioned him walking just that way, stripped of clothing, toward her in a bedchamber. Her breathing paused, and heat rushed over her skin. What would that dusting of hair on his chest feel like beneath her fingers? How would his hard shaft feel against her bare skin?
Heavens, I am a wanton lass!
She tried to put Keegan from her mind and sleep, but he walked into her dreams and taunted her with smoldering kisses.
She hoped she did not talk in her sleep.
***
The next morn after breaking their fast, Keegan and the whole of the MacKay party proceeded the short distance to the docks on foot, the guards surrounding the women and their injured chief. Several of the guards had already scouted the village, looking for the outlaws, and seen naught.
Seona’s hand rested securely at the crook of Keegan’s elbow as they walked along the cobbled street. Feeling protective and ’haps a wee bit possessive, he placed his hand over hers and scanned their surroundings—the mix of gray stone and whitewashed buildings, the green hills, and Loch Broom reflecting the cloud-flecked blue sky.
Linden MacKenzie, Isobel’s cousin and the owner of the manor house, had arranged passage for them on one of his merchant ships, a galleon large enough to transport them and some of their horses. The rest of their mounts would be stabled here until the MacKays’ return in a few weeks.