Page 29 of Bound to a Scot (Sins in a Kilt #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

T heir bodies were pressed together in an alcove that he’d barely fit in by himself, standing so close together that her round, full breasts were pressed to his chest. Her breath was warm on his cheek and smelled of berries and Maddox reveled in the soft curves of her body against his.

He strained to pull himself back enough that his own arousal wasn’t pressed to her belly knowing it would make an already awkward situation completely untenable.

“Maddox, we cannae be seen taegether like this,” she objected.

Her words lacked conviction, as did her eyes. Maddox held her gaze knowing he was crossing a line but no longer caring. The image of them together that had been seared into his mind was driving him mad. The lump in his throat and the way his heart raced when she was near was getting to be something he couldn’t live with. Seeing her with Lorn, embracing him in a familiar way, had given rise to a jealousy unlike anything he’d ever felt before.

“Maddox—”

“I just want tae talk tae ye.”

“I dinnae ken if I want tae talk tae ye,” she snapped. “Nae with the way ye were just talkin’ tae me. Who dae ye think ye are?”

They were pressed so tightly together, Maddox felt her heart pounding in her chest even as his own beat a staccato rhythm in his ears. He licked his dry lips and tried to keep his stomach from churning so wildly within him.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I didnae mean tae speak so harshly tae ye.”

“I should hope nae.”

“I just… seein’ ye two taegether?—”

“Is none of yer business,” she cut him off.

“I ken. I ken. I just… I cannae pretend this thing doesnae exist between us. I cannae pretend that I dinnae care about ye.”

A strange expression crossed her face, and her eyes filled with a sadness that tore at his heart. It was a look he never wanted to see on her face.

“Dae ye think it’s easy fer me tae see ye with Cecilia?” she asked quietly. “Dae ye think it’s easy fer me kennin’ ye two will be married soon?”

Her words hit Maddox so hard, he might have recoiled had there been enough room in the alcove. But they hit him hard enough to drive the air from his lungs. He hadn’t considered what his pending marriage might have been doing to Emmeline or how it was making her feel. And hearing the pain in her voice was heartbreaking.

He shook his head. “Emmeline, I—I didnae think?—”

“Nay. Ye didnae.”

“I’m sorry. But how am I supposed tae ken how ye feel if ye willnae talk tae me about it?”

“Because that’s the bleedin’ point, Maddox. We cannae talk about it,” she snapped. “We cannae be feelin’ the things we’re feelin’. ‘Tis nae right, and tis only pure torment fer the both of us. We’d be better off if we didnae speak about it again. Ever.”

“It wouldnae be easier fer me,” he said.

“And what good would talkin’ about it dae, eh? What can we dae about these feelings?”

“I’m nae sure, but?—”

“I’ll tell ye what we can dae about them. Naethin’,” she said. “There’s nae a bleedin’ thing we can dae about them because I’m married and ye’re goin’ tae be.”

“Emmeline, we cannae deny?—”

“’Tis exactly what we need tae dae,” she almost shouted, her voice thick with frustration.

“I cannae pretend these feelin’s dinnae exist.”

“Ye’re goin’ tae have tae.”

Maddox held her gaze firmly, his jaw clenched as frustration coursed through him.

“Emmeline—”

“Maddox, stop makin’ this harder than it has tae be,” she hissed. “We cannae be taegether. Nae in this life anyway. And pretendin’ otherwise isnae just foolish, it’s a sure way tae spend yer life in misery.”

“Ye’re already spendin’ yer life in misery.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears and Maddox could see she was struggling to calm the emotions that were raging within her. She sniffed and shook her head.

“’Tis me own cross tae bear,” Emmeline said miserably.

“It daesnae have tae be.”

Emmeline’s eyes narrowed and her jaw flexed as she gritted her teeth. “And what are ye proposin’, eh? That we run off taegether? That we run away and live happily ever after somewhere?”

“Why nae then?”

She looked at Maddox like he’d gone mad. And maybe he had. In truth, he didn’t know what he was thinking or feeling in that moment. All he knew was that life without Emmeline didn’t seem worth living to him. She was the only bit of color in a life that had grown increasingly drab and gray.

“Are ye serious?” she asked.

“Why nae?”

“Ye’ve gone bleedin’ mad.”

“Emmeline—”

“Ye must?—”

Before she could finish her sentence, Maddox cut her off, grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. Their mouths crashed together, and he forced his tongue past her teeth. He swirled his tongue around hers forcefully, reveling in the silk smoothness of her mouth. Emmeline’s body stiffened and she was hesitant. But then her resistance faded, and she melted against him. She slid her hand around the back of his neck, pulling him down to her, lapping at his tongue hungrily.

Maddox pressed into her harder and he heard her gasp as his long, thick manhood pressed against her belly. He relished the feeling of her body, soft in some places, firmer in others. He ground himself against her, drawing a low moan from her mouth that he swallowed down, his mind swimming as waves of pleasure washed over him.

Their kiss deepened and intensified, all the emotions they’d been suppressing for what seemed like forever came pouring out of them. Maddox’s desire overflowed. He slid his hands down her body, letting them travel over her full, round breasts, to her plump backside. He squeezed it, reveling in her softness. Maddox had never wanted anyone more than he wanted Emmeline, his longing for her so great, it was making him dizzy.

But Emmeline abruptly pulled back. She held the tips of her fingers to her lips, her eyes wide, and a stricken look on her face. Her lips quivered and Maddox could see her fear.

“What have we done?” she asked.

He shook his head, unwilling to let go of the moment they’d just shared. This wasn’t just some silly, impulsive act like when they’d kissed in the common room weeks before. That was a game and there had been no feeling behind it. This was different. The kiss they’d shared was filled with emotion, their feelings for one another. This kiss was powerful. It meant something. And he could see by the look on her face that she knew it too.

“Ye ken how right it feels. Ye cannae deny?—”

She shook her head. “Nay. Ye need tae stay away from me, Maddox. I mean it. Dinnae come near me again.”

Before he could say anything more, Emmeline turned and squeezed her way out of the alcove. Maddox reached for her, desperate to keep her in the moment, but she slapped his hand away and ran off. As he listened to the sound of her footsteps receding and her choked sobs echoing off the stone walls, Maddox felt a sharp pain that was so intense, it stole his breath.

And with a snarl upon his lips, he punched the stone wall in front of him.