Chapter 15
“Liar,” Killian accused after her revelation.
“I would not lie to you,” Lily insisted, her frown deepening. “I know you think I am trying to protect Laird McLennan because I am loyal to him, but I am telling you the truth, Killian. This is the truth.”
“Laird MacGregor was killed by Laird McLennan. The entire Highlands heard of the battle between both clans. It raged on for years. Am I meant to believe that one of Laird MacGregor’s sins was also my brother’s death?”
Lily did not expect him to believe her, but this was what she knew. Duncan would never betray a friend or kill one. She knew deep down if they could just get to McLennan Castle, they could settle this.
But how do I convince him to come with me?
Killian was already very skeptical. The only chance she had was to win his trust, but she didn’t know how. She also couldn’t risk spending too much time with him. Her nerves could not take it.
Even now, standing in his study alone with him made her aware of everything. The steady flutter of her heartbeat, the low timbre of his voice when he spoke, and the refreshing, earthy scent that clung to him when he came closer to her.
The low hum in her blood was not going anywhere. She had realized that after spending the entire evening away from him, lost in her thoughts as she had walked around the castle grounds.
Still, she thought of him… Still, she wanted to feel his kiss.
Lily backed away from him as the flames of her desire roared inside her. “I have told you what I know. I wish to help you, Killian, but you have to trust me. I do not think Laird McLennan did this, and together, we can find the culprit.”
Killian released an exasperated sigh before he turned away from her and combed his fingers through his hair again. “All right,” he breathed. “First, we must find out if Laird MacGregor did business with my brother. I have records, we can go through them.”
Lily blinked. Her first instinct was to reject his offer. It meant she had to stay here with him all night. She could barely stay a few minutes without wanting to touch him already.
How am I supposed to survive an entire night?
“Books do not interest me,” she said, aware of the hoarseness of her voice, and silently damning herself because she sounded that way. “I would rather… I should retire to my chamber and—”
“Sit with me, Lily,” Killian insisted as he walked over to one of the shelves and took out a stack of scrolls. “Let us read through this together. Ye read, do ye nae?”
His question irked her. It was easier to deal with that emotion than the heat tunneling inside.
“Are you saying that servants aren’t supposed to read? How typical of a laird.”
Killian turned to her, his chin lowered a little. “What? Nay, that isnae what I meant at all… I merely asked… I didnae mean to insult ye.”
Hearing him stumble over his words of apology elicited laughter from deep within her. Lily tried to hold it back. She muffled her sounds at his expression.
“Wh—Are ye laughin’ at me?” Killian queried as he returned to where she stood, dumped the scrolls on the ground, then braced both hands on his hips. “Ye find me amusin’?”
Lily snorted before she could hold it back. Then, she burst into a loud rumble of laughter, and a hand flew to her mouth to suppress the sound, but it did not do much.
Soon, Killian joined in the hearty laughter, and the air around them lightened a bit. His eyes crinkled at the corners as their laughter died down. His smile stayed still, and he shook his head while staring at her.
As they both fell silent again, Lily sucked in a deep breath to steady her insides and allowed the sensations swimming through her to sweep her off her feet.
The tremors of his deep laugh kept ringing in her ears, and she was reluctant to look away from him as the seconds ticked by. The scrolls lay forgotten on the ground, and there was only him at that moment. She wished she could understand this pull she felt towards him, but she was done trying.
“Lily,” Killian growled in a hoarse voice that made every part of her quiver till she was lost in the aching need building inside her.
Let it stay a mystery.
He reached out to pull her to him. She went willingly into his arms, and her hands snaked around his neck.
Killian’s heavy breaths fell harshly against her cheek as he lowered his face to hers and released another growl that made the floor shake beneath her. The moment went from lighthearted to heated.
“I am a man of honor,” he whispered as he lowered his face to her neck and dragged in a whiff of her scent audibly and without hesitation. “I want to keep my word,” he continued. “I want to…”
Lily whimpered and tilted her head to the side, giving him access to the side of her neck. Once his lips kissed her there, a light moan escaped her lips, and his right hand pressed her closer against him.
He kept nuzzling the side of her neck as he caressed her back, his hands trailing up and down slowly till she was shivering like a wet leaf in his arms.
Suddenly, he released her and backed away like he was burned. Lily was still lost in the swirl of desire that had enveloped her, she swooned when he no longer held her.
“Ye should return to yer chamber,” Killian rasped as he pressed his body against his shelves, rattling them with his weight.
“Killian—”
“Go! Now!”
His roar cut through her dazed state and made her heart pound harder. It kicked against her ribs and knocked the wind right out of her.
Without hesitating, Lily turned on her heel and ran out of the study, her pulse hammering in her temples all the way.