Page 19 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior (Highland Whispers of Love #1)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

R oderick’s tongue danced with hers, as she brought her hands to the back of his head. Her desire for him, the uncomfortable need that had been brewing wickedly inside her all day finally exploded into something tangible.

She breathed heavily as his kiss deepened and his hands travelled to her hips as he walked her backward, up against the wall.

The tenderness between them had turned into something wild and untamed. Moira could barely catch her breath. She didn’t want to do anything aside from being touched by him—she couldn’t bear to think about anything else.

Moira pulled Roderick closer, her back pressed against the cool stone of the study walls. Her mouth opened as her tongue intertwined with his, and she moaned as Roderick ripped open her dress.

There was no need to talk. Her longing was too urgent, the moment too delicate.

Moira's pulse quickened, her breath shallow and fast as she felt the cool air hit her exposed skin. His lips left hers for just a moment, tracing a fiery path down her neck as she tugged at the hem of his shirt, her fingers shaking with desire.

Roderick’s mouth found the curve of her shoulder, biting lightly, then soothing the ache with the warmth of his breath. His hands moved further, exploring the curves of her hips and thighs, pushing her closer to the wall.

As his tongue continued to play with hers, she felt him through his trews—his hardness pressing with insatiable motion against her inner thigh. Moira arched into him instinctively, desperate for more. Her fingers fumbled at his waistband, but Roderick caught her wrist in his hand, his eyes sharp, before kissing it and dropping it down to her side.

She obeyed.

With one swift motion, he tore away the last of the dress, his lips once again capturing hers, deepening the kiss as he pulled down the rest of her garments.

Roderick bent to his knees, and before Moira could speak, her knees buckled, and her breath grew short as his tongue circled around her nub.

She brought her hands to his head, steadying herself, as a wave of pleasure crashed over her, her body trembling beneath the sensation of his tongue.

“Roderick, I–” she moaned, but words did not follow. As he continued to lick, the motions steady, she felt herself unfold. Moira spread her arms against the wall, her head tipped back as she bit down on her lip to stop herself from crying out.

In an instant, the sensation became too much, her knees nearly buckling as her orgasm shattered through her.

Although her moan was light, not much louder than a whisper, Roderick was seemingly spurred on.

With urgency, he took Moira in his arms, spun her around and bent her over—so that her wet opening laid bare for him.

He pulled down his trews and Moira let out another soft but urgent moan as he slowly slid the length of his member inside her. She bit down on her lip, so hard she thought it might bleed– and she steadied herself against the stone surface.

Roderick’s hands gripped her hips with the kind of possessiveness that made her heart race, his steady rhythm pushing her to the edge once more. Moira’s breath came in shallow gasps, and the low groan that released from Roderick’s lips sent her body into another uncontrollable spiral.

She let out one last sound, her lips parted, and her eyes shut tight as her climax exploded. Roderick strengthened his grip around her thighs and pressed himself inside her—this time slow and prolonged as he filled her with his seed.

They stayed there, connected—their heavy breaths filling the silence as Moira leaned her head onto the wall . She wished that she could have stayed there longer, but Roderick slowly removed himself from her—and walked around the room to gather his clothes.

“Stay,” Roderick finally said. “Even after yer mission is complete, stay.”

Reality had settled in once again, and the aftermath of Moira’s ecstasy was replaced with a deep well of sadness. “Roderick, I cannae dae that,” she said, getting herself up as she covered her chest with her arms. “Ye ken well that when the Triad calls me back, I will have tae go.”

“But there’s always another way,” Roderick said. “Ye dinnae have the desire tae try?”

“Nay,” Moira said quietly. “That’s just nae how it is.”

“But Moira,” he said, coming toward her. “I have power, I’m a laird, there’s things that I can dae.”

Roderick looked at her expectantly as his hands found her arms. His touch jolted her slightly, lulled her into a sense of comfort that she immediately shook off.

“Roderick,” she said, sadness pooling inside her as she looked to the side. “There’s naething ye can dae. I have tae go back an’ that’s all there is tae it.”

“If that is the case,” he said, the harshness of his tone cutting through her as he took a step back. “Then ye can leave now. I dinnae wish ye tae stay.”

She looked up at him, pained. “I can only leave when the coin’s favor has been fulfilled. An’ we have nae yet solved this case.”

“Be honest. Is that the only reason ye’re stayin’?”

“Aye,” she said. “It is.”

She was too exposed, too vulnerable—and his tone too harsh.

“Fine,” Roderick said resolutely. “That is yer choice. If ye dinnae find the killer in the next two days, then ye’re free tae leave. I willnae hold ye responsible at all.”

Moira went to speak, and he waited, but nothing came out.

They held each other’s gaze for a second that seemed to last a lifetime. While neither of them spoke, Moira could sense the conflict in his eyes.

There were no circumstances in which she could leave the Triad before her time in service was completed, and so while the pained expression on Roderick’s face broke her heart, it was easier this way.

As her unease spread through her chest, she reminded herself that the mission was the only way she could actually help him.

She broke the tension between them, quickly grabbing and fastening her cloak.

“Fine,” she said, heading for the door. “If ye dinnae want me here, then I’ll be out o’ yer way. All I’ll dae is what ye’ve asked me here tae dae.”

“Moira,” he said, grabbing her again. “Wait.”

She stopped in her tracks, the urgency in his voice freezing her in place. She hadn’t expected him to stop her—not when he’d just cast her aside so coldly.

She didn’t turn around immediately, instead, she chose to let the silence stretch on.

“What?” She huffed.

“Can we talk about this?”

His voice was a plea that tugged at the strings of her heart.

“Roderick,” she whispered, barely audible. “What is it ye want from me?”

He was silent for a long moment. She could feel his fingers tighten around her arm, a fleeting contact that sent another jolt of electricity through her, even as her heart ached.

“Ye ken what I want,” he said, his voice soft. “I told ye tae stay.”

But Moira couldn’t do that. She couldn’t give in to the way he was making her feel, especially not when he had just been so cold. She had to protect herself and she had to move on.

“I already told ye.”

“I ken what ye said.”

She sighed. To let down her walls for him— she had to know. She had to make sense of the way he was behaving. She had thought it had been because of the letters, but she was not sure if that made sense anymore.

If she was going to be honest with him, she needed him to be honest with her. What Moira feared the most, more than anything in the world, was losing control.

“Dae ye regret it?” She asked. “Is that why ye act so cold afterwards?”

“What are ye talkin’ about?”

He loosened his hand and dropped it from her arm as she turned to face him

“At first I thought it was the letters,” Moira said, searching his face for a sign that he cared. “But I cannae mak’ sense o’ it. Ye’re askin’ me tae stay, ye are so tender wi’ me but then ye become so cold. I dinnae think I can bear that, Roderick—I cannae dae this when ye’re like this.”

“Moira,” he said, gently stroking his thumb across her face. “I’m sorry.”

“I dinnae want yer apology,” she said, her voice trembling, her body close to tears. “I want ye tae mak’ sense.”

Even though her frustration toward him was fierce, she longed for him still. The concern in his eyes reawakened her desire.

“I’m just tryin’ tae dae the right thing.”

“Ye didnae answer me question,” Moira demanded shakily, “dae ye or dae ye nae regret layin’ wi’ me? I need tae ken, it is drivin’ me–”

But before Moira could finish, he took hold of her face.

His grip was gentle but firm, and the moment his fingers touched her skin, Moira’s breath caught in her throat. Roderick’s eyes were dark, filled with so much intensity that it sent a shiver down her spine.

He lowered his head so that his lips came to meet hers.

It happened so quickly that before Moira knew it, their tongues had intertwined and he silenced her as he deepened their kiss.

She let her eyes flutter shut, letting herself be taken by him, overwhelmed by the way he made her feel.

When he released her, his eyes were soft, like they had been the night before in the lodge.

“I regret lettin’ down me faither,” he said, “but I dinnae regret bein’ wi’ ye.”

That was all Moira needed, and despite the ambiguity of his words, a rush of relief swept through her. She felt a little lighter, though there was an undeniable fire within her— a raw, burning desire to close the distance and press herself against him.

She brought her hands to the back of his neck, her fingers threading through his hair as she pulled him close toward her.

Her mouth met his, the fire deep within her groin spurring her on. She had little time for softness or uncertainty as he kissed her back with force.

His hands quickly roamed down her sides, pulling her even closer than they had been before.

They panted heavily as they made their way toward Roderick’s bed, forcibly removing each other’s clothes once again. They kissed clumsily, with need, as they navigated their way on top of the sheets.

Roderick thrust two fingers inside her, massaging her inner walls as she let out a deep moan.

This time she had no intention of shying away– her eyes widened as she took in his large member, hard and pressing into the space between them.

She tugged it with her hand, which caused Roderick’s face to break out into a wry smile. Taking her two hands into his, he pushed them back above her head.

Moira traced Roderick’s scar with her finger, as she lay beside him—her body still humming with satisfaction.

He smiled, kissing her hand and sending a jolt of lightning through her.

“At this rate,” Moira said softly, “we’ll never get tae solvin’ this investigation.”

“Aye,” Roderick sighed, turning slightly to rest his head against the back of the bed. “Where are we at? There's a shadowy figure, the possibility that me faither was poisoned by herbs although we have nay proof… I dinnae ken what else we could find.”

“Right,” Moira said, her eyes sharpening. “And let us nae forget the arrow… there’s evidence that could point to some people, but there’s naething that proves actual intent. There’s nay reason that any o’ the councilmen would want tae hurt yer faither, they would have been better off if he were still alive.”

“It’s strange,” Roderick said. “But there’s got tae be somethin’ we’re missin’.”

“Hmm,” she responded thoughtfully. She was still certain that the letters could reveal more information, but she decided not to press yet. She hoped he would tell her of his own accord soon.”

“We still have some time left today,” he replied.

Roderick got up. Moira couldn’t help but drag her gaze across his bare body, sitting up, her cheeks burning as he walked.

“What dae ye mean?” She asked with a smile.

“It is time fer another feast.”

Moira’s smile faded and she groaned as she lay back back onto the bed.

“I’d like naethin’ more than tae stay layin’ wi’ ye, Moira,” he said, putting on his trews. “But we have tae go.”

“Aye,” she sighed, “I ken. It will surely be useful.”

Roderick and Moira parted ways to prepare, but there was an understanding between them now. They had connected in such a way that there was no going back to how it was before.

“Will this be fine?” Moira asked, as she stood before him, when he went to knock at her door to accompany her to the feast.

“Ye look ravishing,” he told her, planting a kiss on her forehead.

It was strange for Moira to feel such warmth, but now that she was open to it, she didn’t want it to stop.

As they made their way toward the main hall, with Roderick’s arms linked through hers, Moira’s smile suddenly dropped.

The first person they bumped into was Malcolm, a pretty, young woman by his side.

As usual, Moira was ignored.

“Good evenin’ laird,” he smiled to Roderick. “Fiona made it just in time.”

“Aye, so I see. How wonderful ye could join us, Lady McDougall,” he smiled politely in her direction. “Good evenin’.” Moira studied his face, and for some reason, she could tell that he was lying. She couldn’t think why.

“This is me betrothed,” Roderick continued. “Lady Wilson.”

“Nice tae meet ye,” Moira said, “I hope ye will enjoy yer stay at the castle.”

“Thank ye,” Fiona smiled. “It is a pleasure.”

“So,” Malcolm clapped his hands. He was more lively than she’d ever seen him before. “I’m famished. I dinnae ken about ye all.”

“Aye,” Roderick agreed. “There should be a fine feast prepared fer tonight, lamb an’ roast venison, perhaps some oatcakes an’ honeyed wine.”

“That sounds delicious, me laird,” Fiona beamed.

“Indeed,” Malcolm nodded.

“Shall we?” Roderick asked, gesturing toward the hall.

“Aye, yes laird,” he said. “Although I wonder whether Lady Wilson would like tae accompany me tae talk wi’ some o’ the councilmen. We’d be keen tae get tae ken her better. Perhaps in the meantime, Fiona could keep ye company, me laird. It has been far too long and ye could reacquaint yerselves.”

He gestured for them to walk together, but Roderick relinked his arm with Moira’s.

“Aye, that sounds like a fine idea,” Roderick said politely. “But perhaps we could all catch up later on. I think I’d like tae make an entrance with Lady Wilson by me side”

Moira couldn’t believe that Malcolm, of all people, had suggested that he’d like to get to know her some more. It didn’t take a genius to realize what he was doing. His words dripped with insincerity, and his thin veil of civility couldn’t hide the underlying tension in his offer. He wanted to separate her from Roderick, and Moira knew why.

“Of course, me laird,” Malcolm nodded, as he stepped out of the way for them to pass ahead.

As they all walked through to the large, music-filled room where the feast was held, Moira struggled to bite back her frustration. Even though she knew what Malcolm was like, and exactly what he was doing, the thought of Roderick with Fiona was one that was difficult to stomach.

The rumor Arabella told her was clearly true, and she didn’t like it all.