but maybe a little more guarded than her ancestors were. Ben walked over to the desk and sat, writing out the missive as Braxton and Gwen discussed details of the feast and what other families they would invite.
With nothing else to do, Kenzie sat on the settee, watching the flames in the grate lick at the wood. The sound of the reed pen scratching over the parchment filled the room after Gwen and Braxton left them alone in the library. If she were back home in her own time, she would flick on the television and watch a movie or something, anything to chase the boredom away. And yet how could anyone be bored here? It was like living in her own period movie. With real-life warriors and grand estates, families that held great power surrounded by those who probably wished for some of that power themselves.
“Why do they call you Black Ben?” In all her study of the man it had never been explained why he was nicknamed thus. She turned in her chair to see him folding the missive and putting it aside.
“My hair.”
Not for the first time, she noticed his dark locks. In fact, Ben had the features of a Spaniard more than a Scotsman, but still it was odd that his name was solely due to his hair color. “Truly? That’s it?”
He laughed and joined her on the chair, Kenzie shuffled over a little, not wanting him to get any ideas now that they were alone since he didn’t find her kisses remarkable…
“Aye, that’s it. I was always recognizable at any skirmish or clan gathering due to my hair. Someone, I forget who, named me Black Ben, and it stuck. I’m also the best longbow shot in all of Scotland, and possibly England, as well, but ’tis my hair that I’m known by.
Without thinking, Kenzie reached out and touched his dark locks, the color a deep shade of ebony and as black as the night sky. He was forbidden to her, a man she shouldn’t dally with. A Scottish legend with a mysterious story. He’d always fascinated her and here he was before her, looking at her as if he wished to devour her whole.
Kenzie tightened her grip on his hair, pulling him toward her. Ben mumbled something in Gaelic she couldn’t understand before yanking her against his chest and kissing her with a force that left her breathless.
Their teeth smashed together before he bit her bottom lip, soothing it immediately with his tongue. It was so dirty and hot, Kenzie was totally out of her depth. Yes, she’d kissed men before, quite a few, in fact, but never anybody like this. Ben’s kisses left her reeling for purchase on ground as slippery as the snow atop the Highland mountains.
“Are ye sure you should be kissing me, lass? Will not Braxton disapprove?”
“I don’t require anyone to give me permission to kiss who I want. And maybe you shouldn’t be kissing me, since I’m so unremarkable.”
He took her lips again and this time a moan pushed past her lips. With her busy life, she’d missed out on the pleasure of kissing.
“I lied. Ye are more than remarkable, lass.” Ben winked, and desire flowed through her at his words. Silly for a modern woman to worry about what this Highlander from the seventeenth century thought, but for some strange reason, Kenzie wanted him to like her.
She kissed him hard, taking everything he was willing to give her while they were alone.
“Ye should let me kiss ye every day.”
Kenzie couldn’t agree more. One could drown in his stormy blue eyes. “Maybe I will.” Of course I will!
He grinned. “Aye, ye will.”
A servant carrying a bucket came into the room and stumbled to a stop. Unable to meet the servant’s eye, Kenzie jumped up and stepped away. Ben, on the other hand, simply lounged back in the chair, as if being caught in such a position by household staff was a common occurrence.
Kenzie wasn’t sure if she should be worried by that fact or take her cue from him. But, this wasn’t her home, it was Gwen and Braxton’s, and she ought to be more respecting of them and their lifestyle.
Without a word, Kenzie left the room, walking straight to her own. If she were to stay in this time, she needed to stay away from Ben, at least in the sexual way. No matter how invigorating his kisses were, he wasn’t for her to play with.
Ben watched Kenzie leave