Chapter Twelve #2
She stopped and peered around the corner.
Keegan stood there, leaning against the wall.
Even in the dimness she perceived his charming smile.
Though he drew her like a lodestone, fear kept her rooted to the spot.
She didn’t know if she had the courage to take life by the horns as if it were a mad bull.
What if she wasn’t strong enough to overcome?
Keegan pushed away from the wall and moved toward her. Stopping a few feet away, in the middle of the generous alcove, he held out his hand and waited.
His captivating gaze broke through her paralysis and she approached him.
Unable to wait to touch him, she placed her hand into his.
He pressed a warm, sweet kiss to it, then drew her back, deeper into the dimness and farther from the lantern’s glow down the corridor.
The only light outside the window was a torch far below.
“Seona,” he whispered in her ear and embraced her. She sucked in a surprised breath at the sensation of his hard physique pressed to her body. She nestled closer, her breasts flattening against the granite-like muscles of his chest.
“Oh,” she sighed. She had forgotten how delicious he felt.
His hand slid around her waist and pulled her tighter to him.
He kissed her temple. Although it was a chaste, friendly kiss, heat seared her.
Her hand fisted in the plaid draped across his shoulder and inadvertently drew him closer.
He kissed her cheek, his lips hot and firm but also seductively soft.
Another kiss, closer to her mouth. Her breath fled as Keegan’s mouth hovered over hers.
He had kissed her before, and she recalled everything about those blissful moments, but this was different somehow.
A fire burned in her chest…a fire that both terrified her and compelled her to lean into him and take everything he would give her.
She trembled with the force of the strange emotions.
“Seona?” He lifted his hand to gently tilt her chin up and caress her cheek. His breath teased her lips and his nose touched hers briefly.
“Aye,” she responded.
His masculine scent and that of spices from the mulled wine stole her thoughts. When his lips touched hers like a light brush of silk, she was ensnared and her breath remained trapped in her chest.
Some instinct within her surged to the surface and she pressed her lips firmly against his, then she shocked herself by flicking out her tongue to taste his lips.
He growled deep in his chest and embraced her more firmly, one of his hands around her waist, the other cradling her face.
She opened her mouth to him, wishing he’d devour her completely.
And he did… almost. She certainly felt like a feast he might be having, the way he sank his tongue into her mouth and tormented her.
Her body melded to his, and she thought she might drop to the floor, for her legs lost all strength. But he held her up.
“Mmm, Seona, you are sweeter than a strawberry comfit.”
What nonsense was he speaking?
She buried her hands in his long, thick hair and wrapped it about her fingers. She wanted to be completely ensnared by him.
Keegan raised his head abruptly as if listening.
And then she heard it, voices in the corridor.
He moved her deeper into the corner and put her behind him.
She recognized the voices… Dirk and Isobel, along with Rebbie, helping his friend to his chamber.
Seona held her breath, but it wasn’t long before Rebbie bid them goodnight. The door closed and footsteps receded.
Seona relaxed, thankful they’d not been caught. Even though she knew Isobel would keep the secret. In fact, she’d probably encourage Seona to steal more kisses from Keegan. And Rebbie had already caught them once; she was fairly certain he would say naught.
Keegan slipped forward, peered around the corner, then returned. “One of Dirk’s guards is stationed in the corridor,” he whispered against her ear.
Mo creach!
“I’ll go tell him not to say anything, and you can go into your chamber.”
“Very well,” she whispered, although she truly didn’t want to. She’d much prefer to indulge in several more kisses with Keegan.
He kissed her forehead, his affection warming her heart, then turned and strolled down the corridor. Low murmurs reached her as he talked to the guard.
She peered out and Keegan motioned to her. She rushed down the corridor and the guard pretended not to know she was around. How much would Keegan have to pay the guard for that? She silently opened her bedchamber door and hurried inside. Wanting to feel more secure, she barred the door.
Well… that was close. But she smiled at the excitement rushing through her veins. She would’ve never guessed she’d enjoy taking such risks. Was she mad?
Nay. Keegan was worth any risk.
Seona struggled out of her clothing without a maid’s help and crawled into the high, comfortable bed.
After lying awake more than two hours it seemed, she realized she would never be able to sleep after Keegan’s seductive kiss.
Most likely, she would have disturbing, sensual dreams of him all night, and those would keep her half awake.
She craved another of his kisses.