Chapter 16
Leah sat on the edge of the narrow bed, her heart fluttering like a trapped bird within her chest. The room felt small enough as it was with her in it; having Killian coming in, too, made her nervous.
She glanced at the wooden beams of the ceiling, contemplating if they were high enough for Killian to pass under.
This will be fine. Nay one kens where we are or that we're together. This willnae ruin me.
She swallowed hard as the flickering fire crackling in the stone hearth threw long shadows on the rough-hewn walls. Leaning back, she watched the shadows dance and play. The sight always reminded her of the O'Malley's castle. How she wished she was there now and not at the inn with Killian.
The scent of burning wood mixed with the faint aroma of dried herbs hanging from a small shelf above the mantle, remnants of the innkeeper's attempt to infuse some warmth into the rustic space.
A small window, adorned with tattered lace curtains, overlooked the cobblestone street below, where the late autumn chill sent gusts of wind swirling through the leaves. Leah wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the chill seep into her bones, but it was not the cold that made her shiver.
Just then, the door swung open with a force that made her jump.
Killian strode in, his broad shoulders filling the doorway as he maneuvered through with a tray of mismatched dishes, which he held precariously in one hand and a bottle of whiskey clutched tightly in the other.
His hair fell in dark waves around his face, and the firelight caught the rough edges of his jaw, accentuating the fierce determination in his expression.
"I'm sorry this is all I could manage to round up," he said, setting the tray on a small, rickety table that creaked under the weight.
The spread was simple—a hunk of bread, a few slices of cheese, and a couple of apples that had seen better days.
The whiskey, however, gleamed invitingly, a promise of warmth against the coolness of the room.
Leah offered a small smile, though her heart raced as she eased into the chair and started picking at the bread. She glanced at Killian, waited until he sat, and made his plate before taking more.
"Ye dinnae have to do that ye ken," he said as he pushed the rest of the tray over to Leah. "I ken ye're just as hungry as I am. At least by nibblin' ye quell that ravenous belly of yers."
"So ye brought all this to the room so that ye wouldnae be bothered by me belly?"
"Aye," Killian said. "It's been grumblin' since we left the square. I couldnae imagine what it'll be like in such a small room."
"Right," Leah said as she straightened in her chair. "About that. I think we should discuss sleepin' arrangements."
"Is that so? Well," Killian said as he wiped his fingers over the corners of his mouth and leaned back. "Let's see here. Seein' as how I found and funded the roof over our heads tonight, then I say I get the bed, and ye can have the hearth."
"Now that's nae fair. I should at least have a pillow and a blanket."
"Ye want the floor?" Killian asked as shock rippled across his features.
"What's wrong with the ground? Just because they've made such things to stay off the cold and dirty ground doesnae mean I need to use one," Leah said as she ran her fingers through her hair.
"Fine, then ye can have the ground."
"Only if I can have the pillow," she said as her heart fluttered wildly the moment her gaze met his.
"That's drawin' the line. I daenae think I can give ye one. Ye see, the linens are very nice and I wouldnae want to ruin it."
"Now wait one minute here. From where I'm standin' ye owe me favors, nae the other way around. Am I nae here on yer behalf? As a guest? And as yer guest, it would only be polite for ye to offer me the bed. So, aye, I think I shall retire sooner rather than later."
"Now ye wait one second there," Killian said as Leah sprang from her seat and made a leap for the bed. She landed with her body sprawled out, taking up most of the bed.
"Daenae be stingy; there's plenty of room for the both of us," Killian said as he rushed for the bed and landed beside Leah. The mattress leaned and collapsed under Killian's added weight, causing the whole thing to drop to the floor.
"What have ye done?" Killian asked as Leah lifted her head to inspect the damage done to the bed.
"Me? This was ye thinkin' ye could sore like a bird and landin' on it the way ye did," Killian countered as an unexpected laugh boiled over. Leah's laughter filled the room as she rolled onto her side in a fit.
"This is nae funny," he grumbled as Leah found herself unable to stop laughing.
"Aye, but it is," Leah managed to say as she gulped the air. Her smile faded as she stared at Killian. The smile tugging at the corner of his lips refused to come out, but Leah could see the happiness gleaming in his eyes as he watched her with a longing that spoke to her soul.
"I daenae think the inn keeper will be to fond of what we've done to his room," Leah said as she tried to climb out of the jumbled mess only to roll back into Killian's side.
"Daenae think for a moment that I'm nae goin' to blame ye for this as soon as I can," Killian teased as he opened his arm up for her to collect her the next time she rolled into him.
"I'm sure ye will," Leah said as she found Killian's heat washing over her like a hot fairy spring.
She swallowed hard as the flickering fire illuminated his face. Every shadow that shifted only added to the majesty of his features. Leah couldn't help but want to touch him. Reaching out a steady hand, Leah molded her hand to the curves of Killian's face.
"What are ye doin'?" he asked as Leah found her lips craving to be touched by his.
"I daenae ken," she answered as she put a hand on his chest. The frantic rhythm of his heartbeat under his shirt made her smile.
Joyous sounds of laughter and lively music began to drift through the window, pulling Leah's ear.
The villagers were clearly starting the fair early, their spirits buoyant with the promise of celebration.
Leah's heart ached at the thought of the festivities just beyond their door.
She longed to join in, to lose herself in the rhythm of the dancing and the warmth of community, but the pangs of longing held her captive at Killian's side.
Killian leaned closer, his stormy grey eyes fixed on her. "They're starting the fair early."
"Aye, so it would seem," she said as his hand drifted from her neck over her ample bosom and across her ribs. Leah's breath hitched as she waited for his next move.
"I had planned to leave in the mornin'," he mentioned casually, yet there was an underlying tension in his tone as his fingers slipped into the hair at the nap of Leah's neck. "But… if ye want, we could stay for the day."
"Do ye mean it? We could stay? Ye're nae goin' to change yer mind come mornin' now are ye?"
"Nay," he replied, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "But I'd be stayin' too."
"Why?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. "Ye have nay obligation to linger here with me."
Killian's expression grew serious, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I beg yer pardon? After the fuss ye just made about bein' a guest and all? Ye really think I could let ye stay here without protection?"
"I daenae need protection," Leah said as she tried not to roll her eyes. "And if ye think I do, then maybe I need it from ye."
"Ye're nae scared of me," Killian said, the confidence in his voice irked Leah.
"I could be," she said as Killian rolled on top of her, pinning her to the mattress under them. "Ye daenae ken the sort of man I am."
"Ye cannae scare me," Leah said, trying to sound just as resolute in her tone as he had been. But the smirk on his lips told her she hadn't fooled him the way he fooled her.
"But I did," Killian answered. "The first day ye came to me. Ye were bound and sacked."
"Aye, I remember it well," Leah said as she found her legs inching to hook around Killian's body.
"When I saw ye… do ye have any idea the things that I wanted to do to ye? And now I have ye here to meself and… I want ye, Leah," Killian said as he dropped his head. "But I promised ye I'd nae ruin ye and I willnae do that to ye."
"I daenae care about that anymore," Leah said, desperate to have his lips on her skin. "Or this ruse. Killian, why cannae ye see what is right in front of ye?"
"Ye think I daenae see ye?" he asked, his voice was low and earnest. "Oh, I see ye. Probably better than any man ever will."
The weight of his declaration sent a ripple through her, igniting something deep within.
The heat of the fire seemed to pale in comparison to the warmth spreading through her at his words.
She swallowed hard, taken aback by the fierce possessiveness in his tone, the way it wrapped around her like a protective cloak.
"What do ye mean by that?" she asked softly, her heart racing at the implications.
"Ye ken exactly what it is I'm tellin' ye. Ye're mine. In every sense of the word."
The intensity of his gaze made her pulse quicken, and she felt both exhilarated and terrified by the depth of his promise.
Leah's breath quickened, her pulse racing in response to the intensity of his stare.
She could see the flicker of desire in his stormy gray eyes, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Leah," he whispered, his voice low and husky, the sound wrapping around her like a warm embrace.
Without waiting for a response, he closed the gap, capturing her lips with his in a kiss that was both fierce and tender.
It was as if a dam had broken, unleashing a flood of emotions they had both tried to contain.
The kiss deepened, igniting a fire within her that she hadn't known existed.
She melted against him, her hands instinctively finding their way to his broad shoulders, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt.
Killian's hands roamed her waist, pulling her closer, his fingers tracing the curves of her body, sending waves of warmth coursing through her.
As their mouths moved together, he began to explore further, sliding his hands down to her thighs, his touch igniting her skin with a heat that left her breathless.
Leah gasped softly as he caressed her, his fingers brushing the hem of her dress, teasingly inching higher.
She felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of nervousness, but the way he held her—so possessively, so protectively—made her feel safe to surrender to the moment.
"Killian," she murmured against his lips, her voice laced with desire and uncertainty.
"Shh," he replied, his breath hot against her ear, sending a shiver through her. "Just trust me."
He kissed her again, his hands now fully under her dress, exploring the soft skin of her thighs.
The sensation was electric, and Leah felt herself arching toward him, craving more of his touch.
She could feel the world outside fading away, the music now a distant echo as their own rhythm took over.
Killian pulled back slightly, his forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling in the warm air.
"Do ye have any idea of how beautiful ye are?" he whispered, his voice thick with desire. "And ye are. In so many ways."
With that, he kissed her once more, this time with a slow, deliberate intensity that made her heart race.
His hands traveled further, gliding up her sides, tracing the delicate curves of her waist before settling on her back.
He pressed her against him, their bodies fitting perfectly together—a union of warmth and longing.
Leah's fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer as she lost herself in the sensation of his lips moving against hers.
The kiss deepened, a slow dance of exploration that sent her senses spiraling.
She could feel the muscles in his arms flexing as he held her, the warmth of his body enveloping her, igniting a fire that burned brighter with each passing moment.
And then, as if sensing the shift in the air, Killian broke the kiss, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he looked down into her eyes.
"I want ye," he mumbled, his words crashing against the valley of her bosom.
"Then have me," Leah answered without hesitation. "I want ye to have me."
"Ye daenae ken what ye're askin' or what ye’re temptin' me with," Killian said, dropping his head into her chest.
"Killian, please," Leah found the words slipping off her tongue like water from a duck's back.
"I'll nae have ye ruined by the likes of me, but there is somethin' else I can do to quench the desires burnin' within ye," he said as he propped himself on his hands and knees and carefully moved around Leah.
Her laughter filled the room as Killian pulled her closer to him before lowering his body between her legs.
"Daenae move," he whispered as he peered over her knees. Leah's heart fluttered wildly in her chest as she watched him with great curiosity.
"What are ye doin'?" she managed to get out before getting cut off by Killian's tongue pressing against the tender bulb of flesh between her legs. "Oh my."
"I said daenae move," Killian warned as he hooked his arms around her legs.
The sensation rippling through Leah's body was more than she had expected.
It was as if Killian had found some way to dislocate her from the rest of her being.
His tongue moved with precision and pressure, nudging just the right places to make Leah's legs twitch.
"Give yerself over to me," Killian whispered as his lips caressed her inner thigh. He could have been asking her for her firstborn son for all she knew. Whatever Killian desired, Leah was more than willing to hand over to him.
As the fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows around the room, Leah knew they were stepping into uncharted territory—a journey that would bind them together in ways neither had anticipated. And she was ready to explore every thrilling moment.
"Aye," Leah whispered as her body trembled and quivered with each kiss Killian gave her.
"Daenae say it if ye daenae mean it," Killian said as he poked his head up from between her legs. The suddenness of his absence sent Leah's body into a frenzy. "Say ye’re mine."
"Aye, Killian, I'm yers."