Page 19 of Trapped by the Wicked Highlander (Lairds of the Loch Alliance #2)

CHAPTER NINETEEN

D aniel leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Ye ken she was right, aye?” he said, tilting his head toward Hunter. “Ye’re bein’ a stubborn fool, brother. The lass was only doin’ what’s best for Elena.”

Hunter turned sharply, his eyes narrowing. “I’m cautious,” he growled. “Elena’s been sick for weeks. I willnae have her wakin’ tomorrow feelin’ worse because she’s been wanderin’ about when she should be restin’.”

Hunter paced the length of his chamber, his jaw clenched tight. His encounter with Cassandra still burned in his mind, her sharp words cutting deeper than he cared to admit.

He had only wanted to protect Elena, to keep her from pushing too hard too soon. But now, Daniel’s amused smirk across the room made his temper flare even more.

Daniel scoffed, shaking his head. “Ye should leave that to the healer, then. What good is it to have a woman as skilled as Cassandra here if ye refuse to listen to her?”

Hunter’s hands curled into fists at his sides. “I listen,” he muttered. “But I also ken me daughter. I ken how fragile she’s been.”

Daniel exhaled through his nose, his expression shifting from teasing to serious. “Aye, ye ken her well. But fear is cloudin’ yer judgment. Elena’s nae as fragile as ye think, and Cassandra wouldnae put her in harm’s way. She’s a healer, Hunter. She kens what she’s doin’.”

Hunter ran a hand through his hair, frustration mounting. He knew Daniel had a point, but the idea of letting go, of trusting someone else with Elena’s well-being, unsettled him.

Daniel studied him for a moment before a smirk tugged at his lips. “But that’s no’ what’s really got ye in a foul mood, is it?”

Hunter shot him a glare. “And what, pray tell, do ye think is the real issue?”

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. “Och, ye like the lass. And it’s makin’ ye mad with anger tryin’ to fight it.”

Hunter scoffed, but his brother’s words struck something deep within him. The thought of Cassandra’s fiery eyes, her fierce determination, the way she stood toe-to-toe with him without a hint of fear—he cursed under his breath.

Daniel leaned forward, tapping the arm of his chair. “Go find her,” he said, his voice losing its teasing edge. “Apologize. Ye’re nae foolin’ anyone but yerself. Ye care for the lass, and ye ken it.”

Hunter let out a long breath, his fists relaxing at his sides. He hated to admit it, but Daniel was right. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room, determined to find Cassandra.

Hunter stood outside Cassandra’s chamber door, his fists clenched at his sides. He had never been the type to apologize, but something about her made him feel the need to set things right. He exhaled sharply before knocking, the sound heavy in the quiet corridor. When the door opened, Cassandra’s face was unreadable, her gaze cool as she looked at him.

“What do ye want, Hunter?” she asked, her tone clipped.

He shifted his weight, suddenly feeling like a fool. “I came to talk,” he said, his voice rougher than he intended. “I shouldnae have shouted at ye.”

She crossed her arms, unimpressed. “Aye, ye shouldnae have.”

Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Her coldness unsettled him more than her anger, and he hated how much it mattered. He had come to make peace, but now he felt unsteady, like he was standing at the edge of something dangerous. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling through his nose.

“I believe I’m cursed,” he admitted, the words heavy as stones.

Cassandra blinked, her brows pulling together. “What?”

“I daenae want me curse to harm Elena,” he said, his voice low. “Everyone I’ve ever loved has died. It’s only a matter of time before I lose her, too.”

She let out a sharp breath, shaking her head. “Och, ye’re a bampot.”

His lips twitched despite himself. “That so?”

“Aye,” she said, stepping closer, her eyes fierce. “If ye were truly cursed, would Daniel still be alive? Would Jessica?”

Hunter clenched his jaw, his chest tightening at how easily she dismissed his fears. He had carried this belief for years, let it carve itself into his bones. But now, with her standing so close, her fire melting through his defenses, he felt something shift inside him. He didn’t know if he could believe her, but he wanted to.

“I’m nae sure if I’ll ever be convinced,” he admitted, his voice quiet.

Cassandra studied him, her gaze softer now. “Then we’ll solve it with time,” she said, reaching out to brush a loose strand of hair from his forehead. “And I’ll help ye.”

Her touch was light, but it set fire to his skin. The space between them felt smaller, the air thick with something unspoken. He could see the rise and fall of her breath, feel the warmth of her body just inches from his. If he moved even a fraction closer, he knew he would be lost.

He swallowed hard, his throat tight. “Ye should be careful offerin’ help to a cursed man, lass.”

Cassandra tilted her head, her lips curving slightly. “Och, I’ve never been one for caution when it comes to those in need. ‘Tis why I'm a healer."

Hunter’s breath caught, his control slipping. He wanted to kiss her, to claim her, to lose himself in her entirely. But instead, he stepped back, his heart hammering in his chest.

Hunter stared at Cassandra, his pulse roaring in his ears. Her words had been simple, but they unraveled something inside him, something he had fought to keep locked away. He wasn’t sure if it was the way she looked at him, or the quiet certainty in her voice, but his restraint shattered.

Before he could stop himself, he closed the space between them and crushed his lips to hers.

He was relieved when Cassandra stiffened for only a moment before melting into him and her hands gripped the fabric of his tunic as she kissed him back, matching his urgency.

His lips rough and demanding against hers. A soft sound escaped her throat, and it sent a jolt of fire through his veins.

“Ye kiss me like this lass, and I daenae think I can control meself,” his voice was thick with lust.

“Maybe I daenae want ye to control yerself anymore,” she whispered back.

Hunter deepened the kiss, his hands sliding to her waist, pulling her closer. The feel of her, soft and warm against him, sent his control spiraling further. He had never wanted anyone like this—like a fever that refused to break. He knew he should stop, knew this was dangerous, but he couldn’t bring himself to care.

Cassandra’s fingers traced up his chest before she suddenly broke the kiss, her breath ragged. She stared at him, her cheeks flushed, her eyes dark with something unspoken. The weight of what they had just done settled between them, thick and heavy.

“Hunter,” she whispered, her voice shaking, but she didn’t step away.

"Aye, lass," he replied.

"I daenae ken what's happenin’ to me," she said.

"I do… it's pleasure. I mean to give ye more of it," he said.

With that he picked her up by the waist as he kissed her. Setting her down on the table's edge. His kisses moved down her neck, hungry and filled with desire.

"Ye are a bonnie lass," he groaned as his hands moved over her chest.

She moaned in response. As he kissed her lips, his hand dipped into the neckline of her dress until his fingers found her taught nipple.

"Oh, Hunter," she whispered.

"Aye, lass?" he growled.

"Yer touch, it sets me aflame" she responded.

"And ye set me to madness," he said. With that he unlaced a few laces down her dress and pushed down her corset, releasing her milky white breasts.

"I've never seen anythin' so beautiful," he said.

He kissed down her chest until his lips rested over her breast, kissing and licking. His tongue teased her rosy nipple, while his hand gave full attention to the other.

He felt her hands move along his shoulders and down his arm, then back up again.

“I feel a need to touch every part of ye,” she moaned.

“I have the same need, Cassandra,” he growled.

He felt her hands greedily pull at his tunic pulling it up over his body until it rested on the floor. His eyes moved to her hands as she moved them up and down his rigid abs. The slow movement set his skin ablaze under her touch.

“Lass, yer hands are magic,” he said.

“A healer’s hands indeed ken how to touch,” she said softly.

He inhaled a sharp breath of air as her hand moved lower and lower down his chest to his belly. With soft circular motions she moved further and further until her fingers moved along his belt. He groaned.

Their eyes locked. He watched her bite her lower lip as she allowed her hand to go further down and rest on his hard staff.

“Careful lass, there’s nothing but the cloth of me kilt between yer hand and me,” he said.

“Aye, ‘tis how I want to keep it for now, but I couldnae keep me curiosity concealed,” she said.

He saw the glint in her eye before she gently moved her hand up and down along his thick member. His groan echoed in the room with each movement of her hand.

“That feels good. I will lose me wits,” he whispered. “Ye’ll need to stop.”

“What will ye do to stop me?” she teased.

He bent his head down to take her breast in his mouth, allowing his tongue to move gently over her skin. While his hand moved between her thighs and landed on her sweet center.

“Oh,” Cassandra moaned as she arched her back.

“Now I have yer attention, lass,” he groaned.

Hunter was delighted in her reaction as he moved his finger up and down her slit, on top of the fabric of her dress and she wiggled under him like a banshee.

He felt her fingers press into the bare skin of his shoulders as his kisses pressed against her nipple, then the other, all while his fingers worked.

"I must taste more of ye," he murmured.

With his strong hands he lifted her skirts, pushing them up her legs until the fabric rested at her waist. He skillfully removed her underthings, layer by layer as he felt her hands on his shoulders, encouraging him.

He moved between her thighs placing soft kisses on her skin, slowly at first, then with a quicker pace. He felt Cassandra's hands move through his hair as he trailed kisses from her thighs toward her warm center.

He listened to her soft moans as his mouth moved to her sweetness and kissed and licked, teasing and pleasuring her.

"Oh, Hunter. I will lose meself," she whispered.

"’Tis what I want to happen, Cassandra," he said, his voice thick with lust.

He pressed his hands into her thighs, opening them wider to him. She followed his encouragement and placed one foot on his shoulder. This drove him to a lustful frenzy.

His tongue moved with purpose over her rosebud. Cassandra's moans grew louder and louder. He felt her fingers twist in his hair.

Under his hands, her body tremored and shook as she released into ecstasy. Hunter drank of her honey juices, relishing in the moment.