Page 15 of Time of the Warlord (Stones of Scotland #5)

I f their first kiss had left Sadie reeling, this one left her burning. Ciaran’s touch swept through her like fire, as hot as the flames just a few feet away. He must have put the bottle down, because it felt as if his hands were everywhere, touching her all over. The whiskey burn still lingered in her throat, but it was nothing compared to the heat that swept through her veins. She moaned into his mouth and leaned further into the kiss.

“Touch me,” Ciaran whispered against the side of her face, before he swooped back in for another kiss.

How could Sadie resist? She clutched the strong muscles of his arms, traced the line of his broad shoulders, pressed herself against the solid wall of his chest. He moaned into her mouth with every touch of her fingers, as his own hands grew firmer on her hips.

Without any warning, he tilted her backwards, so she lay flat on the ground beside the fire. He lowered himself on top of her, still kissing and touching like he was starved for her.

“Sadie,” he whispered in her ear. “Sadie, you’re so beautiful.”

She had nothing to say to him - no words could capture the incredible feeling of his lips and his hands.

His fingers skated up beneath the hem of her dress, brushing her knee. Suddenly, all the fire in her veins had a new place to focus. His hand moved higher and higher, and Sadie’s body burned hotter and hotter. It was her turn to moan his name against his lips as his strong fingers brushed the skin of her inner thigh.

Ciaran paused, lifting his head just enough to stare into her eyes.

“Do you want me as much as I want you?” he whispered.

Sadie nodded, unable to find any words. All she knew was that she wanted him more than anything else on earth. He kissed her again and she gripped his shoulders, wrapped her legs around his hips, welcomed him in to meet her. He felt like perfection and her moans grew louder and louder until she called out his name, the sound filling their thorn bush shelter. He shouted her name as well, his hands roaming her body and spreading the fire until every inch of her burned beneath the skin.

At last, Ciaran collapsed on the ground beside her and tugged her against her. Sadie relaxed into the warmth of his body, so powerful and strong. She felt safe here, in a way she hadn’t since she first stumbled through that circle of stones.

“Perhaps this was a bad idea,” Ciaran’s voice rumbled after a few silent moments.

For a second, Sadie froze in hurt. His words had cut straight through her warm contentment. But she had to acknowledge he was right. It probably was a bad idea to add this complication to an already complicated relationship. Here they were, headed to Dunadd so that he could hunt down her sister, and she could - what, exactly? What did she even intend to do once they reached Dunadd?

Sadie sighed.

“It probably was a bad idea,” she said. “But let’s worry about that in the morning.”

She snuggled a little closer, seeking out Ciaran’s warmth. He laughed softly and wrapped one strong arm around her waist, pulling her more snugly against him. He even smelt warm and safe, somehow, his own musky scent mixed with the woodsmoke and the clear night air. Sadie knew she should have been cold, lying here in only a dress, but Ciaran kept her warm.

“I didn’t mean that I regret this,” Ciaran said after a few more moments of silence. His hand stroked her back in a gentle rhythm.

Sadie levered herself upright so she could gaze into his face, highlighted in bold lines by the light of the fire.

“I think I know what you mean,” she said slowly. “In a practical sense, this is a very bad idea. Yet it somehow seems like the best idea I’ve ever had.”

Ciaran’s laugh rumbled right through her body.

“I couldn’t have put it better myself,” he said.

They lay there for a few moments more, as Sadie gradually grew drowsy. She could barely keep her eyes open any more - hardly surprising, after all the day’s excitement and exhaustion.

“Do we need to stay awake and keep watch?” she asked drowsily.

“Don’t worry about it,” Ciaran said, sweeping a strand of hair out of her face. “Just sleep, Sadie.”

And so she did, slipping off into sweet slumber with her head resting on his chest. She’d never slept so well in her life.