Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,38

at each other. What was it to already have lost so many you loved and anticipate loving so many to come? What was it to be a wizard?

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

For a split second he seemed to accept her apology then something shifted in his expression. He jumped to his feet and pulled her up after him. Unlike Bruce’s yank yesterday, Adlin’s way of pulling her after him was not forced but as if he had to show her something.

Mildred was just about to reassure him about what he’d shared when he spun her. Weak knees buckled against the bed and she fell back. A million words were ready to come out of her mouth but Adlin’s body came over her and his lips crushed down over hers.

Though she tried to stay serious, everything dissolved when his lips pried hers open, when the fire flared brighter in the hearth. He hadn’t kissed her nearly long enough when he lifted slightly and stared down, his eyes hungry.

“Adlin,” she breathed. “We need to talk more.”

“No.” His weight covered her, his scent engulfed. “No more talking.”

As his lips trailed down her smooth neck, she said, “Should we? I mean…”

“Stop,” he said hotly, his lips coming close to her ear. “No more talk, Mildred. No more.” He ground his teeth. “This was supposed to be romantic.”

She wondered for a split second if he realized how unromantic what they’d discussed really was. But it was becoming clear that he was an intense, disciplined man and telling her all that he had, no doubt put a little extra fire in his blood.

In an instant, needy response to his body being so close, she spread her legs, seeking his warmth against her core. He ground against her, his plaid a steady defense. A raging inferno started to build. His lips tasted her skin slowly, trailing from her earlobe, down her chin, until his tongue flickered down her arched neck.

His breathing increased.

So did hers.

Heat steamed between their bodies.

Though he wasn’t touching them her fingertips and toes started to tingle as his tongue glided along her collarbone. Hot, he continued to flick the inquisitive tip over her receptive skin until he swirled his tongue against the point where her collarbone met.

Mildred bit her lower lip and arched further.

From there he focused on lightly skimming the tip of his tongue up her neck while the pad of his thumb danced lazy circles along the collarbone his tongue had just abandoned.

With tight little gasps, she said, “Yes.”

The wind picked up, panting through the window with sharp gusts that fanned the thin white sheets hanging around them. She was suddenly caught in a tornado of cool, soft fabric and hot, firm man.

Mildred pushed Adlin away when he started to pull down her dress.

“No,” he whispered.

Arms pinned by her side, Mildred suddenly realized she was nude. Though she should have been mortified she felt sensual, beautiful. All of her denial fled. His eager lips traveled down between her breasts and back up.

Instead of giving her what she most needed Adlin’s face hovered over hers, kissing first her lips then her nose, then above her eyes. Her legs spread further and she sought his lips.

“No,” he whispered again.

Before she could respond his lips traveled down her neck and clamped over a nipple. Crying in both pain and pleasure, she arched. His large, calloused hands traveled up her legs and grabbed beneath her knees. Grinding against him, she whimpered.

“More,” he murmured against her belly as he traveled lower, holding her in place. Relaxed, needing, she allowed him. Kissing, salving, he focused on the soft skin of her stomach, his impatient tongue curious and adventurous.

His hands held hers as he first laved then blew hot breath over where he’d just been. She’d never felt anything so good. Clamping her thighs against the unknown she took an odd pleasure in knowing he wouldn’t allow it.

When he spread her legs further and dove, she squirmed, startled by the feel of a man’s mouth where it shouldn’t be. Hands climbing up her own thighs, Mildred tried to stop him.

It didn’t work.

Even before she understood the extreme sensation, her body fell back, rippling in sharp pleasure. She cried out and thrust back her head. It felt as though her body was consumed in undulating fire, a sensation so intense it was indescribable.

Adlin’s large hands held her backside and lower thigh as she trembled.

Careful, loving, he whispered, “There’s so much more.”

Though she shook her head, his lips again trailed up