Page 39 of The Laird's Wicked Game
He nodded, his smile still lingering, before he tore his gaze from hers and turned, retreating up the steps to the broch with his sons.
Heart thumping against her ribs, Kylie followed.
15: SNOWDROPS AND BLUEBELLS
KYLIE SHUT THE book firmly, even as her pulse raced like a bolting hind.
Ever since Rae had loaned it to her, she hadn’t dared read it. Instead, she’d slipped the volume under her mattress and tried to forget it. But the book’s presence burned like a coal in her mind—and so, this morning, with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, she’d retrieved the slim volume and started it, at the beginning.
Staring down at the innocent-enough cover now, she leaned her head back against the wall.
Satan strike her down, she didn’t know what to make of what she’d just read. She wasn’t an innocent, and yet many of the things she’d read had surprised her, shocked her even.The book was lewd, detailed, and frank in its opinions and descriptions. She wondered who had written it. And for what purpose? As a manual?
Her mind churned as she splayed a hand over its smooth leather cover.
It was the first day of September—nearly a week had passed since she and the laird had taken supper together.
He needed his answer.
She lifted her other hand then, placing it to where her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat. Rae wanted them to work their way through this book, for her to choose chapters. Excitement quickened in her belly, clutching as she imagined doing some of the things she’d just read.
Errol hadn’t done any of it. His approach to coupling had been fast and furious. In the early days, she’d found him exciting, even if he didn’t seem to care if she reached her peak or not. But this book focused on the woman’s pleasure, as much if not more so than the man’s.
It had been a revelation.
Sucking in a deep breath, Kylie closed her eyes.No one will know.
None of her kin were here. She was on her own at Dounarwyse now. If she and Rae were careful, which he’d assured her they would be, they could embark on this six-month journey of discovery before concluding things in the spring, without anyone within the broch being the wiser. She could enjoy the pleasures of the flesh without having to deal with the negative consequences and complications of actually being in a relationship.
And ye would have delicious memories to hold dear.
Kylie’s heart kicked, and her eyes snapped open.
The Saints forgive her, she really was considering this. “Daft woman,” she muttered aloud. It felt odd to have this bedchamber to herself, although it was just as well at present, for she couldn’t have read this lewd book without piquing Makenna’s interest. It had been another reason to wait before opening it. “Ye don’t even know if he will please ye.”
However, even as the words slipped off her tongue, her belly clenched once more. Rae’s kiss had promised her that, even if he was inexperienced in the art of pleasing a lover, he’d take to this game with enthusiasm. And for her part, she was so hungry for him that just the sight of the man made her feel dizzy with lust.
No, whatever the coming months would bring, if she agreed to this, the laird of Dounarwyse wouldn’t disappoint her in bed.
And yet, still, she hesitated.
Kylie was a woman who liked to think through every decision meticulously. All her sisters had once teased her about her cautious ways, and she’d answered that someone had to make up fortheirrecklessness. Someone had to think about the consequences of irresponsible behavior.
If she agreed to this, she’d experience the thrill of pleasure and freedom for a few moons—but she’d also be taking a huge risk, with her reputation and her position here.
Cursing, Kylie set aside the book and threw back the blankets, swinging her legs over the side. She’d drive herself mad if she kept going around in circles, chewing over the rights and wrongs of this. One of the maids would be up soon, to help her ready herself to break her fast with the laird and his sons.
It was time to face the day—and Rae Maclean.
“Very well, Maclean. I accept yer proposal.” Kylie’s words made Rae’s pulse leap. “Just six months mind … the moment we spy the first snowdrops bloom, we shall stop.”
He inclined his head, hope quickening within him. “Snowdrops flower early … ye could have waited for bluebells.” Indeed, the first snowdrops usually peeked their bonnets up in mid to late February, even braving snow and ice to do so, while bluebells didn’t flower until March.
Kylie’s jaw firmed at these words, and she folded her arms across her chest. “Snowdrops.”
Rae had been teasing her, of course, but he sensed she was too on edge to be played with, and so he nodded.
The pair of them stood in his solar. They’d broken their fast, as usual, with his sons. But instead of leaving with Ailean and Lyle, and taking them straight to the lady’s solar, where they’d begin their morning’s lessons, Kylie had bid them to go ahead while she spoke to the laird. Alone.