Page 53 of The Laird's Wicked Game
His features tightened at these words. “Aye.” His voice roughened slightly. “Ye are right.”
Relieved by his agreement, she took another sip of wine. “We still have another two months of our …arrangementto go … but I think it’s important we remind ourselves of the rules.”
He nodded, even as his green eyes shadowed. “Ye believe I have forgotten them?”
“No … but I think we’ve both gotten careless.” Good. She was being firm. It eased the panic that thumped at her breastbone. “We meet to enjoy each other once a week, to explore the things our past lives denied us. But come the spring, we will have to step back and resume our old roles once more.”
Rae held her gaze, an emotion she couldn’t quite place flickering over his face. His lips parted then as if he might say something.However, after a moment, he closed his mouth firmly. “And that’s what ye wish for?” he said finally, his tone veiled now. “For us to go back to our old relationship after the winter?”
Alarm flared once more, and her pulse fluttered. Was he questioning their ‘game’ now? “I think it is wise, do ye not?” she replied carefully.
Silence fell in the solar again, broken only by the crackling of the hearth and the soft whuffling sound of Storm’s breathing. The dog was now fast asleep.
They continued their meal, although Kylie had lost her appetite, as tension rose between them.
After a while, Rae pushed away his half-eaten bowl of stew and leaned back in his chair, swirling his goblet of plum wine before him. “Aye … it’s wise,” he admitted gruffly. “I suppose I’ve gotten greedy of late. Being with ye is like being shown a fabulous banquet that I can only sample but never feast upon.”
Kylie flushed hot at these words. Rae feasted upon her every time they were alone in his bedchamber. Her body still hummed from how he’d taken her that afternoon, and heat pooled in her lower belly when she reminded herself that the following day was Sunday, and soon he’d take her again.
“Yearegreedy, Maclean,” she said, her lips quirking. “Insatiable, even.”
He huffed a laugh, even as his gaze remained serious. “Aye … ye are quite a woman.”
Warmth rose to her cheeks. “I’m glad I please ye.”
“Oh, ye do.” He paused then. “But more than that, I am truly myself when we are together.”
Kylie fought the urge to squirm in her seat. Suddenly, it felt overly hot in this solar, and the collar of her kirtle seemed to be choking her. She knew she should say something revealing in return, but her tongue wouldn’t form the words. “So, ye no longer feel as if ye have missed out on the pleasures of the flesh?” she asked eventually.
“No,” he replied, his gaze steady. “Ye have given me memories to cherish.”
Her throat tightened then. Mother Mary, she needed to change the subject. It wasn’t a good idea to continue down this road. The truth was that the connection between her and Rae wasn’t just physical. It was deeper. He knew it, and so did she. Over the past weeks, trust had started to build between them, and a bond was forming.
Nonetheless, she was as committed as ever to stopping their liaison with the spring.
Just the thought of what might happen if they didn’t made her feel as if she were falling headfirst into an abyss.
And it terrified her.
“With ye, I have discovered another world, Kylie,” Rae admitted after a pause. “But after all of this is done, I want things to remain amicable between us. I wish us to be friends.”
Kylie’s heart kicked hard against her ribs.Friends. How could she see this strong, kind, sensual man as a friend again?
Cease this!She gave herself a sharp mental slap.
Rae wasn’t the problem at present; she was her own worst enemy.
Dropping her gaze to her bowl of unfinished stew, she drew in a steadying breath before replying, “Of course.”
Kylie departed swiftly after supper, saying that she’d promised to help Tara finish decorating the hall. Rae had hoped they’d take a wine together by the fire and relax in each other’s company for a while. However, he could see she was anxious to leave—indeed, impatience bristled off his lover—and so he let her go without comment.
In the aftermath, he poured himself a large cup of wine and crossed to the hearth.
He was seated in his chair, staring at the dancing flames, while Storm slumbered, unconcerned by his master’s brooding, when a heavy knock sounded at the door.
Rae pulled a face. He recognized the manner of the knock, and since it didn’t belong to Kylie, he didn’t wish for company. “What is it, Jack?” he barked.
The door swung open, and his brother strode in, shaking snow off his heavy fur cloak before hanging it behind the door. “That’s a warm welcome,” he greeted him. Jack’s cheeks were flushed with cold, yet his gaze was bright. He was a happy man. It emanated from him.