Cassian (The Immortal Highland Centurions #2) - Jayne Castel Page 0,36

tomorrow?” she asked.

Cassian nodded, his gaze never leaving her face. “They’re going hunting in the deer park tomorrow morning … and will be taking the noon meal together afterward. Lady Elizabeth is keen to broach the subject of her husband’s return.”

Aila swallowed. “And De Keith?” she asked, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Fyfa says the whole keep is talking about how he’s here to bend the knee … will he actually do it?”

Cassian’s features tightened. “He must … or Edward will become suspicious.” He stepped a little closer to her then. “We must all be vigilant, Aila. Promise me you’ll be more careful in future.”

Aila’s breathing slowed. He was speaking to her as if he actually cared. The realization thrilled through her veins, causing the heat in her belly to rise up into her ribcage. He was standing so close that if she raised her hand, she wouldn’t have to reach far in order to touch him.

As soon as the thought took root in her mind, Aila’s pulse fluttered in her throat. And then, without thinking, she lifted her hand and placed it upon his chest. She rested her palm flat upon his leather vest, just below his heart. “I promise,” she whispered.

Cassian went still; she actually felt him stop breathing for a moment.

It was bold to touch him like this, but the action had been instinctual. Trying to master the nerves that now writhed in her belly, Aila continued to hold his eye. Spending the evening in Fyfa’s company had made her feel braver; the steward’s wife was fearless and forthright. She wished she were more like her.

She slid her palm up so that it covered his heart now—and there she felt his strong pulse. It was beating fast.

A thrill went through her at this discovery. She hadn’t been wishing in vain after all; he had noticed her.

“Aila,” he murmured. “Please.”

She heard the rough edge to his voice and noted how his gaze shadowed—but didn’t heed the warning. She was too caught up in the magic of this moment, in the longing that robbed her of breath.

Aila swayed toward him, going up on tip-toe as she tilted her chin.

Kiss me.

And with a soft sound in the back of his throat, Cassian lowered his head and did just that.

It was the merest brush of their mouths, and yet Aila gasped at the contact. His lips were warm and soft; she couldn’t believe that after all these years of wanting, the Captain of the Dunnottar Guard actually looked upon her with desire.

Nervousness assailed her then, for she had no idea how to respond to him. She’d never before been kissed.

However, her gasp seemed to encourage him.

His lips brushed hers again, firmer now, and then Cassian’s arms went around her, and he pulled her against him, his mouth claiming hers fully.

Aila couldn’t help it—she gasped once more. And when she did, his tongue slid into her mouth.

The sensation was breathtakingly intimate, and excitement pulsed low in Aila’s belly, her legs trembling beneath her. His hands slid up her back to her shoulders before they tangled in her hair. Then, cupping the back of her head, he deepened the kiss further.

The intimacy of his tongue exploring her mouth caused an ache to rise in her chest. Shyly, she stroked her tongue against his, responding to him instinctively, even though she hadn’t the slightest idea what to do.

Her response may have been untutored, but it appeared to encourage him, for he gave a low groan, his kiss growing urgent and frantic.

Two steps brought the pair of them up against the door to Aila’s chamber.

She barely noticed the impact. All she was aware of was the feel of his large, muscular frame pressed up against her smaller, softer body.

He ravaged her mouth with his now, and his hands slid down her back, molding her against him.

Dizziness swept over Aila. The taste of him, his heat, his strength—all overwhelmed her.

It was as if he’d just set her body aflame; she didn’t recognize herself or the wild need that clawed its way up from her belly.

And when his hands slid to her bottom, gripping her hard as he pulled her against him, Aila whimpered into his mouth.

Once again, the sounds she made seemed to unleash something within Cassian. One big hand slid down her leg, catching her thigh and hiking it upward. The skirts of her kirtle and lèine slid up, and Aila felt the cool caress of the night air upon her naked skin, but