Taken by Angeline Fortin (great books of all time TXT) 📗

southern belle, Laird,” she drawled tightly, fruitlessly covering her head with her arms.  “Pure sugar melts easily, you know?”

His shoulders heaved.  Was he laughing at her?  Probably.  But without comment, he scooped her into his arms as she squawked in surprise and carried her to the cover of the beech trees, depositing her beneath their dense branches.  She was still getting wet though and as if he knew another complaint was lurking, Laird dropped down beside her and flung the long length of his kilt around her.  With a forearm, he tented the wool over her head and held her close.

“Is that better?”

His questions had been put aside for the moment.  So there was that to be thankful for but when Scarlett looked up at him looming over her, so close, she was incredibly aware of his powerful body.  Warm, wet and masculine, his presence was surrounding her.

No, that was definitely not better.

Exhaling slowly, she tried in vain to forestall her racing pulse.  She couldn’t even remember what they had been talking about.  Or why she’d been avoiding him.  All she could recall was the memory of his lips on her, his mouth on her body, his fingers playing her so skillfully.  Wide-eyed, she looked up at him only to find him looking down at her.

He had a smolder Flynn Rider would envy.

The temperature rose.  Hot.  Steaming.  Charged.  Still goose bumps spread across her flesh.  Scarlett bit her lip and his gaze fell.

He was so close.  His breaths no more even than hers.

“Laird.”

What was she doing?  Again?

Laird’s fingers tickled the shell of her ear, sending a shiver skittering through her.  Scarlett inhaled raggedly.  It was so warm beneath the plaid, his body next to hers so powerful, so electrifying.  A shiver of anticipation raced through her as his calloused fingertips trailed down her neck.

He tilted her face to his.  So much for conversation.

What is it about you that I simply can’t resist?

19

 

He kissed her.

James wouldn’t have been able to stifle the urge to do so if his very life had depended on it.  Deep down he knew he should leave her be, avoid her as she had been avoiding him.  She was a lady at heart and due more respect, just as he had told Ishbel.

But bluidy hell, her kiss was a seductive thing.  Headier than the finest whiskey and far more intoxicating.  The sweetness of her lips haunted him.  Her unleashed passions tormented him since the previous morning.  He wanted to be the one to incite her passions, to make her scream. Her fervent whimpers and rapturous moans echoed in his ears until possessing her was all he could think about.

And Scarlett!  She had done naught but go about her business.  Och, she didn’t know the torture she had inflicted upon him.  She laughed with his sister when he could do nothing but grimace.  Talked endlessly with his brother while he gnashed his teeth in frustration.

All to abide by his father’s wishes.  Well, enough of that.

Never had he felt a lust so strong.  Never had he wanted beyond his own will.  All thought, all logic had fled.  James knew he could not trust her.  He didn’t know who she was or what she wanted from them.

But he knew what he wanted of her.  What he had to have.

Twisting her about, James lowered her onto her back, never breaking their kiss.  She welcomed him, parting her lips.  Parrying her tongue playfully with his.  Encouraging him with provocative noises wrested from deep in her throat.  Her arms wrapped around his neck pulling him closer but he wanted more than the taste of her lips.  Tugging down her bodice, James cupped her breast, rolling her nipple between his fingers.  Her gasp of delight was like an angel’s chorus to his ears.  Her skin soft as the finest silk.  His lips trailed down her neck, tasting salt, rain and woman until he reached her breast and drew her hardened nipple between his lips, sucking deeply.

Her cry urged him on, her fingers tangling in his hair.  Pulling him closer.

James gathered up her skirt.  She wore no petticoats, no hose.  It was just his flesh against hers.  Her thighs fell apart with little hesitance.  James dipped his fingers between them and was welcomed by hot moisture.  Already she was weeping for him.  She clung to his shoulders, biting his neck as his fingers circled the opening.  Her cry of delight muffled against him.

Her open, unfettered desire, stoked his all the hotter.  No pretense, no coy advance and retreat.  She simply wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He trailed a finger up between her nether lips, circling the nub of her desire.  She cried out hoarsely again, locking her legs around his hand.

“No,” she cried, pushing his hand away and James felt his disappointment like a weight around his heart.  His arousal was so painful he wasn’t sure how he could walk away from her again but he could not, would not force her.  For all his savage ways, he was a courtier still.

Bracing his arms, James lifted away from her but to his amazement, Scarlett followed, pushing him on to his back and rolling on top of him until she was straddling him.  She looked down at him.  Her brown eyes were dark, hot as coals as she panted heavily, shaking her head even as she stroked his chest invitingly.

Then she kissed him.  Hot.  Open-mouthed.  Taking control, surprising him.  Never had he been so challenged by a woman.  He was aflame with the need to plunge within her heavenly body.  To ravish her with all the primordial hunger burning within him.  Her hips undulated, grinding her heated core against his rampant staff.  Her hands spread over his chest and moved downward until she reached between them and grasped his erection.

Their moans intermingled.  Her pleasure.  His.

He flipped her beneath him, showing her just how dominating, how masculine he was as he held himself above her.  Then he shifted downward, his hard chest grazing