Page 27 of Taken by the Ruthless Highlander (Taken by Highland Devils #6)

27

M organa moved like a phantom through the corridor. Her feet barely touched the stone floor as her heart fluttered wild and free. There was no hiding the grin splitting her face. It was as if Ryder had turned night into day.

She darted around the corner and paused to catch her breath. Every nerve in her body was ablaze. Every muscle was tight. The fact that she was still on the ground and hadn’t shot off into the heavens stunned her.

“I told ye to go to bed,” Ryder said as he suddenly rounded the corner, startling her.

Morgana clamped her hands over her mouth to stifle her yelp.

“I’m tryin’, but how can I, when ye sneak up on me, distractin’ me so?” she asked breathlessly as he pressed his body against hers.

There was no room in the nook he had pinned her against. She stared at his lips, dying to feel them on her own once again.

As if answering the unspoken desires of her heart, Ryder leaned in and planted an open-mouthed kiss on her neck. Goosebumps rose over her skin as his hot breath fanned her ear.

“How is it that ye smell so wonderful?” He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers.

Morgana smiled. There was no place she wanted to be than right there, enveloped in the safety of his embrace. There wasn’t a part of her he didn’t touch. He covered her with his body as his shadow engulfed her in protection and peace.

“Lie with me,” she whispered as she threaded her fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

She yearned for his company. It didn’t matter if he did nothing but sit in silence next to her; all she wanted was to share the same space as him.

“I thought I already had,” Ryder said, his voice thick with need. “Are ye nae sated?”

Morgana pressed her lips to his neck. “I’m most content.”

Ryder peeled back the corset she had pulled over her shift. He shook his head, his eyes flashing with a warning that only made her grin.

“Is that so?” he murmured.

His hand slipped under her shift, cupping her breast as if it were a melon. Morgana closed her eyes as he played with her nipple.

“Then ye dinnae need me to lie with ye.”

Suddenly, his warmth disappeared.

The night air engulfed Morgana, chilling her to the bone. Her ears perked up at the sound of familiar footsteps coming down the hallway.

Putting a finger to his lips, Ryder squeezed around her and pulled her down the hallway to the first available room. Before the door clicked shut, his mouth was on hers.

Morgana held on to him as he backed her further into the room.

“Oaf,” she mumbled when she tripped over a small table.

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.

Embarrassment coursed through her veins like hot lava. She tried to hide her smile, but there was no point—Ryder had already seen her make a fool of herself.

“Clearly,” he murmured as he set the book on the small table next to him and rose from his chair. Morgana’s heart fluttered when the mattress sank under his weight. “How did ye sleep? If ye’re hungry, I’ll have the servants bring up a tray to yer room.”

“I’ll go downstairs and eat, but thank ye,” Morgana answered.

She noticed the small wildflower resting precariously on the pillow next to hers.

“Aye, well, I need to get goin’, but I couldnae leave without watchin’ ye wake up.” Ryder tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Dinnae forget about the cèilidh. If there’s anything ye need from me, just ask. My door is open to ye anytime, day or night.”

Morgana didn’t know what to think about that. It was as if every wall he had around his heart had crumbled. The gloominess that once shadowed his features had vanished. There was a new air about him, almost like optimism.

“Well, thank ye,” she said.

Ryder stole one more kiss, his lips so tender against hers. It was as if he was whispering to the hummingbirds or sparrows that came for but a season.

He pulled away.. He didn’t say anything as he made for the door. He only cast a glance over his shoulder, without looking her in the eye, before he disappeared into the hall.

Morgana shook her head, uncertain what to make of it all. She threw back the covers to get ready for the day. After all, it wasn’t like she could just loiter about all day. She had a cèilidh to organize, and she was running out of time.

With a new sense of urgency, Morgana looked around her chambers and smiled.. The smile on her face widened as the world seemed to bend to her whim.

The Great Hall buzzed with chatter and laughter. Morgana wished there was some way to get the people to see that she wasn’t a threat to any of them. In fact, she believed all she had to do was wait for the cèilidh. Surely once everyone realized how perfectly normal she was, they might lighten up around her.

“Murderer,” a voice hissed as she passed a table of women.

She paused, uncertain if she had imagined the voice. The side eyes and scowls did nothing to help her figure out who mumbled such a horrid accusation.

“There ye are,” Ronnie said as he came up behind her. “Poppy has been lookin’ for ye all morning. She said ye were in yer chambers earlier but then left. Did ye go to Lochcairn last night?”

Last night. Images and sensations flooded back as if she were experiencing everything all over again. Heat kissed her cheeks and rushed to her limbs. For a moment, she thought she was about to self-combust and leave behind nothing but a pile of ash and smoke.

“Nay,” Morgana managed to utter as she scanned the crowd. “I never left the castle last night.”

“Och aye, because of the intruder, eh?” Ronnie asked, much to her confusion.

“What? When did…” Morgana paused as more images flashed before her weary eyes.

“Never mind. I think I overheard one of the servants talkin’ about this earlier.”

“It was a big deal. Some are even sayin’ that it was the Laird comin’ in with a mistress. If that’s the case, Sister, I promise to do whatever I can to get ye away from him,” Ronnie muttered.

The mere thought of running from Ryder was inconceivable now.

“Speakin’ of gettin’ away. Tormod and Felix are headin’ out.”

“And when are they leavin’?” Morgana asked, the words clogging her throat. She didn’t like the fact that her brother was headed out into the unknown. But it wasn’t like she could do anything to stop him if he wanted to go.

“Nae sure yet, but thought ye might want to ken that there is a plan in place to be leavin’ in the next day or so. Ryder’s man at arms thinks the weather will be cleared up enough to head out.”

Morgana pressed her lips into a tight line as the chatter in the room seemed to grow louder with her silence. She could feel several eyes watching her.

“I need yer help with the cèilidh, until ye leave, if that’s all the same to ye,” Morgana said as Ronnie started for the exit. “Which is tonight. Dinnae let me down now. We’re family.”