His mouth was soclose to Margaret’s. Thoughts of leaning forward to connect their lips flashed through her mind. A gentle heat pulsed through her, but the bulk of it was concentrated between her legs.
“I’m glad she did, too,”Margaret whispered, feeling as though the two of them were on the edge of something even more meaningful than what happened at the loch. “But I think that even before you arrived, I knew you would come. There was never any doubt in my mind that you would come to my rescue.”
His hand cameup to cup her cheek, tilting her head so that their lips were just centimeters apart. Margaret’s breath hitched, and she had to force herself to stay still. Longing pulsed through her, making every fiber of her being cry out for him.
“I love ye, Margaret,”he said after a beat, the words reverent and sure. “I didnae think I’d ever be capable of love, but I love ye with me whole heart.”
Margaret pulled back,her eyes wide, her heart pounding relentlessly in her chest. The sincerity was plain. He meant every word he said, and Margaret wasn’t surprised to realize that she felt the same.
“I love you, too,”she replied, her chest aching, the physical sensation of the emotion almost overwhelming. “I… Ryan, I love you.”
Instead of responding with words,Ryan slipped his hand to the nape of her neck. Then, with confident gentleness, he brought her forward. When their lips met, Margaret felt as though everything clicked into place.
His mouth waswarm and steady against hers, insistent on being demanding. It was sweet, but she found it wasn’t enough. So, she decided to push a bit.
Margaret opened her mouth,allowing their kiss to grow deeper. Ryan didn’t hesitate to accept her invitation. He intensified the contact as his fingers threaded through her hair, scratching her scalp softly.
A noise escapedher lips without permission. Embarrassment threatened to take hold of her, but it only seemed to entice Ryan further. He held on to her harder, pulling her so she was completely flush against his chest. Underneath her rear, she felt something stiffen.
She pulled back,their lips making an obscene sound when they parted. With wide eyes, she stared down at Ryan. His pupils were blown, the brown of his irises overtaken by his desire.
“Ach sorry—”
“Don’t apologize,”Margaret said, shifting down onto the protrusion.
Ryan let out a low groan,leaning forward and connecting his mouth with her neck. There was a rush of wetness between Margaret’s legs, and her own wants made her feel dizzy. All the feelings she experienced at the loch came back to her in full force.
“Ye haveno idea what ye’re doin’ to me, lass,” Ryan said, his breath fanning out against her throat.
“Then show me,”she demanded, issuing a challenge she knew he wouldn’t be able to resist.
As she had assumedthey would, the words ignited something within the Laird. He connected his mouth to hers once again, hot and insistent. As the kiss consumed her senses, Ryan maneuvered her onto her back.
Margaret’s legsparted to allow him to lower himself between them. Even through her chemise and his kilt, she was able to feel the evidence of his arousal. A primal part of her mind screamed at her that this was not enough, that she needed more of him.
“I want to see you,”she whispered into their kiss, her hands dancing over the ridges and valleys of his muscular shoulders. “All of you.”
“And I want to see ye,”he replied, giving her one final kiss before sitting back. “But I’ll show ye first, aye?”
Not trusting her voice,Margaret nodded her assent. Without breaking eye contact, Ryan began undressing. He started with his doublet, pulling it off slowly, revealing toned, sun-tanned skin.
“What’s that?”Margaret said, leaning forward to trace her fingertips over the stark-white line of an old scar.
“I cannaetell ye what it’s from,” Ryan admitted, his voice soft as he tossed the garment aside. “I’ve got so many of them that it’s difficult to keep track.”
She hummedas she continued to let her touch roam. His body was warm and inviting, strong and comforting. There was no one on this Earth that she trusted more than him.
“You weren’t kiddingabout fighting for your clan,” she murmured, in awe of his protective nature.
“Nay,I wouldnae lie to ye, Margaret,” he replied as he began to shed his kilt. “Ye’re far too important to me for that.”
There wasn’ttime for her to formulate a response. All at once, Margaret was faced with his length. He was long, massive, and clearly aching for her touch. Her fingers twitched at her side, unsure of what to do.
“Ye seem a little shocked,”Ryan noted with a smirk as he bent down over her to give her another kiss. “Are ye still here with me, Sassenach?”
“I… yes,”Margaret said, feeling her face burn. “It’s just…”
A beat passedas he waited for her response. When it didn’t come, he said, “Come now, Margaret. What is it?”