Excerpt copyright @ 2019 Kara Griffin
He
returned the sensual kiss with all his being, pressing her body against the
cottage thatch. Her soft curves melded to him and her tongue timidly coaxed his
touch. There was something oddly desirous in her kiss, and more than that, his
response which undoubtedly confused him. Her fingers meshed in his hair and she
pushed back the hood of his cloak. He weakened at the knees and set his hands
on her hips. Heath continued to caress her mouth and the sound of a soft moan
reverberated his tongue. A yearning to have her snuck upon him.
He
quickly pulled away. Heath gazed into her eyes. She peered at him with desire
mingled with fear. He didn’t like it one wee bit, her desire nor her fear.
Lillia turned and glanced around the cottage and returned her gaze to him.
“They’re
gone.”
“Who
is gone?” He kept her from leaving and took hold of her wrist. Many questions
hit him at once: who were the two men following her, why she pulled him around
the cottage, and most import, why she kissed him?
“No
one.” She smiled and touched his face, the light caress allaying him. “’Twas
naught but a few suitors I was trying to avoid. It’s been many a year, Heath. I
assume you’re here for the autumn festival?”
“Something
akin. And lass, I can tell when you speak a falsehood. Those men were following
you. They were intent to reach you. Are you in danger?”
She
shook her head, her bonny blonde waves shaking. “Nay, not at all. Do not make
it out to be more than it is. You’re as handsome as I remember. Although your
hair is much darker and longer, and my, but you are verily taller than I
remembered.” Her fingers pressed his arm and there was something stirring in
her touch.
“I
was little more than a lad when I last saw you.” He searched her face for
honesty, but since she insisted she was safe, he relaxed. “You’ve turned into a
beautiful woman, Lillia. Aye, no longer the willful lass?”
Lillia
laughed a sound as light and sweet as a Dunnock sparrow on a spring morning. “I
haven’t been willful since I was wee. Where have you been? I heard your father
sent you away but I didn’t believe what was rumored …”
He
raised a brow. “You should believe what was told. I am in service to the king.
So … tell me what had ye running and why you demanded I kiss you?” Heath almost
groaned aloud when he noticed the glisten of her lips. He wanted to kiss her
again, truth be told, for much longer and with much more passion. But Lillia
was like a sister to him. They’d spent most of their childhood teasing and
chasing one another. He shouldn’t consider her in any sort of romantic notion.
Then why did his heart tense when he saw her? And why did it clash madly when
she’d kissed him?
“I
told you, Heath, two suitors set on gaining a kiss from me, but I thwarted
them.”
“Aye,
you thwarted them all right. Do your brothers ken you’re out here alone? Do ye
make a habit of hailing off without protection? There are many strangers here.
I’m surprised your father didn’t bid ye to stay in the keep.” The more he
thought about her lack of care, the more ireful he became. “You should return
home before something—”
“My
da forbade me from leaving the keep. But I worked hard preparing for the
festival and wanted to enjoy it. I shall return home soon, but before I go … I
…” She set her arms around him and hugged him close. “I’ve missed you, Heath.
Will you not walk with me a bit before I return?”
“I
shouldn’t, but I will.” He should leave,
but everything within him told him to stay. At least for a short while. He
walked next to Lillia and continued to watch her. She was lovely. Her sunshine
hair flowed freely. Her brown eyes sparkled with flecks of light and as golden
as a new batch of honey. Not only was she beautiful, but she still had the
winsome spirit he remembered. Lord how he’d missed her.
They
rounded a copse of trees and Heath knew where she was leading him–where they’d
spent many a warm summer’s day–by the stream where they swam and caroused.
Against his wishes, he kept his distance with a respectable foot betwixt them.
Getting close to her would only cause his heart to war with his mind. His heart
clamored and his mind rebelled.
She
slipped on a patch of wet leaves and ended up in his arms. Heath held her
longer than was necessary to rectify her. Lillia felt right in his arms as if
she belonged there. And yet he berated himself for thinking such thoughts. With
a newfound view of her, he resisted lowering his mouth to hers.
“You’re
still gawkish. Aye, you always were.” He couldn’t hold back the grin that came,
for she’d always made him merry.
Her
bonny eyes crinkled with mirth. “I am not clumsy, at least not anymore.”
“You
always walked into things and caused mishaps around you.” He grinned at the
remembrance. “You need to be more alert.”
“I’m
always alert.” She released him and pressed her hands over her garments.
“Aye?
Then ye are aware there was a man following us?”
“There
was? Where?” She turned and peered at the surrounding trees. “I see no one.”
“I
believe we lost him when I veered you around the large crag. You ken, the one
we used to jump from when we were children.”
“Do
you know who he is?” Her eyes widened, and he was positive now she feared the
follower.
“Nay.”
Heath wondered if someone followed him and not her. Perhaps someone recognized
him and was intent to apprehend him. But then why would she be fearful? He took
a moment to survey their surroundings and listened intently for sounds, but no
one was near enough, not even a small animal. “Worry not, Lillia, I’m alert
enough for the both of us.”
“You,
Heath Fraser, are being boastful, and always were.”
Assured
he’d lost the follower, Heath eased. “Mayhap I boast a wee bit. Let us sit and
take rest. Tell me of your life.” He’d rather continue kissing her, but needed
something to occupy him so he wouldn’t do as he was wont.
“I
wish not to speak of it. Do you recall when you first kissed me the night all
the fireflies surrounded the stream?”
Heath
remembered that night as if it were yesterday. It was their first and only kiss
until this day. The magical night rivaled this one. He sat and leaned against a
tree, gazing out to the flowing waters. His hand set against the bump of his
dagger fastened to his leg. If danger neared, he’d be ready to face it.
“It
was the night of the summer solstice celebration.”
He
trained his ears again to notice any unusual sounds around them, and hearing
none, motioned for her to sit next to him. “I don’t recall this night you speak
of. I do remember you always followed me and your brothers.”
Lillia
sat next to him and stretched out her legs. She took the hem of her skirt in
hand and tossed it to ensure her legs modestly covered. “That’s because you
never took me with you and I had to sneak around. This night reminds me of it
for it was dusk and the night air warm. You kissed me when my brothers climbed
the willows and chased out the fireflies. It was magical with all their wee
lights around us. I shall never forget it.”
It
was indeed a night to remember but Heath wouldn’t own to such triviality. It
was best he refute her, because he didn’t want to cause her harm or hurt.
Lillia Hunter wasn’t a lass he should consort with no matter how much his heart
protested. He had too much respect for her father and brothers to woo her
without their permission.
“Have
you married?” His question both surprised him and caused her to gasp. “I only
ask in case your husband is searching for you. Mayhap he was the man who
followed us.”
“He
wasn’t. What I mean to say is that I am not married. My da intends to betroth
me and I shall soon leave. I won’t see you again.” Her tone suggested he’d
wounded her which was not his intent.
“Likely
not because I only planned to stay this day.”
“Why
did you come?” She picked a piece of grass that found its way onto his tartan.
He
shifted the material to cover his thigh and grinned. “I am searching for my
missing squire and heard he came to … enjoy the festivities.”
“I
fear there isn’t much fanfare for it appears the king hasn’t come.”
“How
do you ken the king hasn’t come?” Heath was pleased to hear that because Gilroy
was safe enough for now.
She
folded her hands and kept her eyes faceted on him. “The gate’s men would have
sounded the bells. They practiced days in advance to get the melody right. The
bells didn’t toll and haven’t all day. He hasn’t come. My father will be
disappointed for he’d spent a fortune in purchase of enough food and such for
the king’s entourage.”
“It’s
probably better he hasn’t come.” Heath felt eased talking with Lillia. It was
as if they’ve never been separated. “Are you joyful of your betrothal?”
She
moved closer and her long leg flanked his. He gritted his teeth against taking
her in his arms and kissing the breath from her.
“I
am not certain if joyful is an appropriate word. But I should obey my father
and wed the man, shouldn’t I? I always thought … that is, I gave my heart to—”
Lest
he be the one to give her ideas, he said, “We should all obey our das.”
Heath
was gladdened he wasn’t a woman. The fairer sex had much more restrictions
placed on them than men. Women moreover subjugated and had to follow a man’s
dictate their entire lives, first their fathers and then their husbands. If he
ever married, not that he planned to, he’d never force his wife to follow his
directives.
Lillia
turned and with her face an inch from his, she smiled. “I am disheartened you
don’t remember our first kiss. Let me remind you.” She set her hands on his
shoulders, tugged him forward, and her lips pressed against his.
Heath
groaned in delight at the softness settled against his mouth. Everything told
him to push her away, to invoke gallantry. Everything but his heart. He clasped
her in his embrace and pulled her toward him until he felt the swell of her
bosom pressing his chest. Their kiss continued in a mindless mix of sensual
desire and extreme lust. Heath had never wanted a woman as much as he wanted
her. His hand caressed her back and his breath harsh. If he wasn’t careful,
he’d delve his hand beneath her skirts to see if she longed to have him there.
He
surely wanted to join his body with hers and he was certain he’d die a little
if he didn’t.
Lillia
pressed her hands over his abdomen and kept up the torture until she reached
his chest. His muscles flinched at the sensitive touches and before his desire
got the better of him, he dislodged his mouth.
Taking
a moment to compose himself, his breath slowed. She affected him far more than
he should allow and yet … “I’m sorry, lass, I don’t remember our first kiss
being so … intense.”
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QYB8QF
No comments:
Post a Comment