Excerpt copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
“Sean, I wouldn’t have gotten through this without you. I
thank you…” She looked up at him, her pretty face inches from his, and her eyes
shone with tears. “I’m alone now. I have no one.” Her softly spoken words
affected him. There was insecurity in her bonny voice and despondency in her
eyes.
“Nay, you’re not alone, Frances. I’m here.” He wanted to
tell her he was pleased he could be there for her when she pressed her mouth
against his. He wasn’t sure why she kissed him, but kiss him she did with more
passion than he ever hoped for. Sean let her lead the kiss and to see where she
would take it.
When the kiss deepened, he took hold of her face, and kept
her in place, and stroked the softness of her cheeks. His hands roamed and
caressed the curves beneath the fabric of her gown. She had womanly hips and an
affecting curvature to her breasts, breasts that grazed his chest as if vying
for attention, for his touch. From the way she responded, Sean realized she wanted
him as much as he wanted her.
Desire caused him to moan. But this wasn’t the time or place
to take care of such needs. Reluctantly, he pulled away. Her lips glistened
from their kiss, he would have groaned in sexual frustration or from the
pleasure of it. The way her body molded his, the way her curves nestled against
his hardness, all led to unconventional thoughts. Thoughts riddled him with
longing and thoughts he couldn’t act on. She was more curvaceous than her
garments alluded to and sexy as hell.
“Frances, we should return. You’re overcome and need to rest.”
She wept, broke down in a mass of sobs. Sean held her again him
and let her cry for her heartache overwrought and there was nothing else to do
but stand there and let her. When she calmed enough, she pulled away from his
embrace and started off toward the castle walls. He walked silently beside her.
“You think me wanton, do you not?”
The words barely audible caused him to stop in his tracks
and he grabbed her hand to keep her next to him. “Frances, never would I think
such about you. Why would you say that?”
“It’s just… I haven’t been with a man in many…so long I
forgot how pleasant it is.” She kept her gaze on the ground in front of her.
Sean realized he liked the coyness about her. “You can be wanton
with me, Frances. It’s pleasing to me too, being with you.”
She kept silent for the rest of their walk to the keep. He kept
hold of her hand and led her inside the walls. Sean wouldn’t allow her to
traipse off when he stopped to speak to Benson.
“If everyone is within, close the gates. Let no one enter
who doesn’t belong.”
“Aye, My Lord. I’ve already handled the sentry for this
night’s duty as you instructed.”
“Good, Benson. Have me summoned if you need me.”
Sean continued to walk through the bailey and noticed the
clan watched them with interest. He gladdened they’d seen them together. With
Frances by his side, he’d be sure to be accepted. The men nodded as if
asserting his newfound role as laird, and the women grinned for unknown reasons.
When they reached the keep, the steward called him. There
was much to see to now that Lord William died. Security was at the utmost
importance. He now had a family of his own to protect: a wife and daughter, as
well as a clan. The tremendous weight suddenly bore down on his shoulders, but the
challenge would be met head-on.
“There are duties that must be done. I will see you later,”
he said and released her hand.
Her face tinged to bright red and the edges of her mouth
turned downward. He wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed by kissing him or if the
sorrow of William’s death turned her coy. Before he could ask if she’d be well,
she disappeared inside the entrance without a farewell.
Sean considered going after her and didn’t want their
parting to be disparaged for it would make their next encounter more awkward.
He wasn’t sure if he could be within her presence without wanting to devour her
mouth and body. Now that he was laird, he would be kept busy enough with little
time to consider it. But, God Almighty, he wanted to run inside, snatch her in
his arms, and carry her to bed and have his way with her.
Don't miss A Highlander In Peril
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M4IL96K
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