Page 25 of His Runaway Bride
She had spent the evening watching him, seeing the way he looked at her with growing warmth and affection.Whatever had begun as a political alliance was developing into something deeper, something that she found herself wanting to explore.The thought of losing that possibility to clan warfare was unbearable.
The decision, when it came, was sudden and absolute.Lileas would not be a passive victim of circumstances beyond her control.She would not allow fear or uncertainty to rob her of the chance for happiness with a man she was beginning to care for deeply.
Moving with quiet determination, Lileas made her way down the dimly lit corridor.She knew where Ewan's chamber was; Fiona had pointed it out during her tour of the keep.
Standing before his door in nothing but her thin shift, Lileas took a deep breath and knocked softly.
When the door opened and Ewan appeared, his shirt unlaced and his hair tousled from running his hands through it, they stared at each other for a long moment.His eyes widened as he took in her state of undress, the determined set of her shoulders, and the resolution in her eyes.
"Lileas," he said softly, his voice rough with surprise and something deeper."What are ye doing here?"
"I've come, willingly, to be with my husband," she replied simply, her chin lifted with characteristic stubbornness.
Ewan hadn't moved, instead he just stared at her in silence though his eyes became somewhat darker, and that made Lileas suddenly second-guess her decision.She blushed from the embarrassment that maybe he didn't want her after all.
Lileas partly stammered, "That is...ah...if ye'll...have me—"
Before she could finish the sentence, Lileas gave a startled cry when Ewan suddenly lunged for her and pulled her inside his chamber.She heard the door close behind her but did not have time to register much else before she was in his arms with his lips on hers.Ewan growled deep in his throat, and Lileas could have sworn she felt the sound right down to her womb.She shuddered at the onslaught before giving in completely and throwing her arms about his shoulders so she could enjoy the most delectable kiss of her life.
The time for hesitation was over.
***
Chapter 11: United
The fire in Ewan'schamber had burned low, casting the room in a warm, golden glow that seemed to wrap around them.When they finally broke apart from that searing kiss, both were breathing hard, and Lileas felt as if the world had shifted beneath her feet.
"Lileas," Ewan said roughly, his hands framing her face with infinite tenderness despite the urgency that thrummed between them."Are ye certain?There's no shame in changing yer mind."
"I'm sure," she whispered, her hands fisting in the open fabric of his leine."I dinnae want to wait anymore.I want this.I want ye."
Something wild and possessive flashed in his green eyes at her words."Ye're sure?Because once I have ye, lass, ye'll be mine in every way possible."
The raw honesty in his voice sent heat pooling low in her belly."And ye'll be mine," she replied, surprised by her own boldness.
That seemed to break whatever restraint he'd been maintaining.Ewan's mouth crashed down on hers again, this kiss hungrier, more demanding than the first.She could taste the whiskey on his lips, could feel the barely leashed power in his hands as they roamed over her shoulders and down her arms.
