No one answered, and the air grew thick until Thomas cleared his throat and spoke again, slower now. “Ye heard him. He is the Laird. His word is law. We will come back another time.”
One by one, the men rose and bowed stiffly. “See ye again, me Laird,” they said in turn before filing out.
The hall emptied, and their footsteps faded down the passageway.
Alasdair’s jaw ached from clenching it so hard. He stood still, his fists balled, his chest heaving. The council was dismissed. His pride was intact. But his anger, his worry, burned hotter than before.
By evening, he could not contain it anymore. He headed to Lily’s chambers, each step heavy with fury. The torches along the walls lit his way with ease. He pushed the door open without pause and stepped inside.
The sight before him stole his breath.
She stood by the window, her back to him. The moonlight spilled across her figure, illuminating the thin shift she wore. The fabric clung to her, practically transparent.
He swallowed, letting his eyes trace the curve of her hips and the slope of her shoulders. His body went still, and his heart pounded. For the next moment, his mind went completely blank.
She spun when she heard him, and her eyes widened, fire flashing in them. “Have ye come to finish what ye started the other night?”
The words struck him like a slap, snapping him out of his haze.
He stepped forward, his voice rough. “First, ye wear the gowns I asked to be returned. Then, ye disobey me by nae attending the council meetin’. Do ye ken the fight I had on yer behalf today?”
She lifted her chin, unflinching. “A man’s life was at stake. If I had gone to sit with ye and those old men, Ian would be dead. I did what I must.”
His hands curled at his sides. “And what of me? What of the laird whose word ye flouted?”
Her eyes blazed. “If ye think a title means more than a man’s life, then I fear for this clan’s future.”
“Ye should have found a way.”
“There was nay way.”
“Or ye just didnae want to come in the first place.”
They stood close now, their voices sharp. Every word drew them nearer. Her chest rose and fell.
“I told ye that I am here for one thing and one thing only.”
“The point, Lily, is that ye are here already. Ye must abide by me rules.”
His breath mingled with hers, but neither stepped back.
“Yer rules? Who made ye God?”
The space between them shrank until only a hairsbreadth remained. Alasdair’s gaze dropped to her mouth, then rose to her eyes again.
“As long as ye’re in me castle, that is exactly what I am to ye.”
“Is that so?”
“Aye. Very much so.”
His heart hammered when her lips parted, soft and trembling. Without thought or care, he reached out and grabbed her waist.He pulled her tight against him and backed her up against the wall.
“And whatever I tell ye to do…” he added, his voice almost a growl. Her eyes bored into his, unreadable, and her chest rose and fell rapidly, almost expectantly. “Ye do.”
He sealed his lips over hers and felt the heat flood his body. His lips moved hard against hers, rough and hungry. Her hands pressed against his chest, then clutched him instead, dragging him even closer.
She kissed him backfiercely.
