Page 79 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander

Ryder’s arms wrapped around her before she could even feel the breeze through her hair or fall to the floor. A small giggle escaped her, and he pressed a finger to her lips in a feeble attempt to keep her quiet.

“Are ye tryin’ to wake the castle?” he grumbled as his other hand peeled back her shift to expose her breasts and shoulders.

Morgana slapped his hand away as her gaze flicked to the door.

“I think someone is comin’,” she whispered against his finger, completely forgetting it was there.

Ryder’s fingers tangled in her hair as he stole another kiss from her. She melted into his embrace, loving the fact that he wasn’t as serious as he had been before. His playfulness shimmered like the silvery light of the moon cutting through the cloak of night and secret.

“Aye,” he murmured against her neck.

The door creaked open, and an old maid entered. The light from her candle was barely enough to illuminate anything other than a few feet in front of her.

“Mrs. Barnly,” Ryder whispered in Morgana’s ear. “Blind as a bat, that one.”

“Who’s in here? Dinnae think I cannae hear ye breathin’,” the maid hissed as she raised her candle a bit higher.

Still, the light never reached Morgana or Ryder.

Disgruntled at the disturbance, the maid turned on her heels and exited the room without another peep.

Ryder lowered his head and let out a low chuckle.

“What?” Morgana asked warily, hoping he wasn’t laughing at her.

“’Tis nothin’, I promise.” He let out a long sigh as his laughter died down. “Just somethin’ I did when I was younger.”

“Did ye torment that poor old woman? Is that why she didnae step into the room any further? Ryder, ye dinnae have the servants thinkin’ that the castle is haunted, do ye?” Morgana whisper-hissed.

She studied him, trying to figure out what he could have possibly done to scare the old maid so badly. From the look in his eyes, she could only conclude that it was horrendous.

“I will make amends,” Ryder promised, a smirk still playing on his lips.

He cleared his throat as he stepped back from her.

The moment seemed to pass far too quickly. Morgana could see his eyes shuttering a little as he moved back from her. The atmosphere in the room shifted as she pulled up her shift to cover her bare shoulders.

“Aye, well, maybe ye should then,” she chimed in, uncertain what was about to happen next.

She wasn’t ready to let him go. His taste still lingered on her lips, as did the phantom heat of his hands on her curves.

“The hour is late,” Ryder murmured, unable to keep the frustration from his voice. “And we have a big day tomorrow, do we nae? I believe it is time for bed.”

“Aye, I suppose it is,” Morgana said.

Ryder pressed his lips to her forehead once more. Then, without warning, he scooped her up into his arms.

“Allow me to take ye to yer chambers. I’m nae promisin’ ye I’ll stay, but I can at least escort ye to yer room so I ken ye’re safe.”

* * *

Morgana didn’t know what time it was when she finally opened her eyes to a new day. She rolled onto her belly and kissed her pillow, wishing more than anything it was Ryder’s lips or chest.

“If ye want a kiss, ye can just say so.”

Morgana bolted up, her eyes widening with shock when she found Ryder lounging in the chair near the fire, a book in hand. She couldn’t tell if he had been there for a few hours or if he had stayed all night. Judging by the lack of dark circles under his eyes, she guessed he’d only recently moved to that spot.

“I didnae think ye were in here,” she said sheepishly.