Chapter 11

11

Lana felt desperate for him, all rules and decorum forgotten. She didn't know how she could be so swayed by a man's touch. She had never thought herself the type. But now, standing in Daniel's arms, she was almost giddy with his proximity.

"Kiss me."

As her request slipped out of her mouth, Daniel smirked at her, clearly pleased. She remembered her dream and the way she always begged him to kiss her, but she didn't feel ashamed. She could only wait, desperate to know if he would follow her request.

"Would ye like that?" he whispered in her ear.

Her breath caught in her throat as he said the very words she imagined in her daydream. And then his lips lightly brushed against the underside of her jaw.

Lana leaned into him, desperate to feel his touch.

"Aye," she whispered.

She turned her head, trying to bring her lips closer to his, but with a deep chuckle, Daniel pulled away. She saw the glint in his eye as he enjoyed teasing her.

"Now who is forgettin' the rules?" he asked.

Before Lana could answer, his mouth dipped down to her neck. He began kissing her, a mix of tongue and lips that she couldn't figure out. She could only give in to the pleasure. And then, even more shocking, his hand moved up to gently cup her breast. Desire shot through her, sending shockwaves deep into her core.

Lana moaned, unable to contain herself, as his hand fondled and squeezed her breast.

"But we cannae forget the rules, can we, wife?"

She heard the word through a fog of pleasure. She had to force herself through, as if she were swimming underwater and finally pushing herself back to the surface.

"I am nae yer wife," she countered.

Daniel dropped his hands and stepped back from her. Her chest was heaving, pressing against the neckline of her dress, as she regarded him. She felt cold without him, and it took all she had not to beg him to come back to her.

"Of course," Daniel whispered.

He seemed entirely unaffected by their kiss, as if it didn't matter who was in his arms. But Lana was already starting to realize that his indifference was a show. She was starting to see the cracks in his hard exterior. She wondered if she could push him further and make him admit what he wanted.

"Me Laird," she pointed out, slowly stepping toward the tall man in front of her, "ye keep speakin' of me rule."

"Aye," Daniel said, his eye raking over her from her face to her ample chest. Yes, it was clear what he wanted. "I cannae touch ye unless ye love me."

"Nay." Lana couldn't stop the smile that tugged at her mouth. She bit her lip, wondering how bold she could be. "That isnae the rule."

Her hands reached out, and she was suddenly pulling Daniel back to her. It took him a moment to respond, perhaps surprised by her actions, but then his hand slid around her back again. Lana was powerless against him as he backed her up against the back of the couch.

"What is the rule, lass?" he asked, his voice deep and dangerous.

His thighs pressed against her own, and she couldn't help opening her legs. Daniel took the opportunity to wedge a knee between her thighs, fighting against the fabric of her skirts.

"I willnae…" she trailed off, breathless. She swallowed hard and gathered herself. "I willnae lie with ye," she said.

Her hands were on the back of his arms, holding him tight, but it was clear he was going nowhere. His eye was locked on hers, waiting for the next words that would come out of her mouth.

"I said nothin' of kissin'."

The words surprised him. His eyebrow rose as he looked down at her. Was he impressed with her? Lana hoped so. She wanted to seem bold and in control despite the way she was melting in his arms.

"Then ye want a kiss?" Daniel asked.

"I… might." Lana couldn't bring herself to say it. Though her body screamed for him, she felt nervous to voice this.

"Nae good enough. Try again."

Daniel's hand was on her waist, but then it snaked around to her front. It was slowly rising, moving closer and closer to her breast, where it had so easily rested earlier. Lana couldn't help but arch her back as she begged him to touch her.

"Please," she whispered, "kiss me."

Daniel leaned down to press his lips to hers. She was surprised by how soft they were and the gentle way he kissed her for the first time. He had a gentle touch, as if he were trying something out to see if he liked it. Or perhaps to see if she did. He pulled back after their first touch, a question in his eyes.

Lana pressed her lips to his, telling him what she wanted. And then they were both desperate for each other, pressing hard as they pulled at each other's' clothes and limbs, trying to get closer. Daniel's lips parted, and he sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. When she felt the warm press of his tongue, she thought she might faint. But still, she needed more.

Lana followed suit, shocked by her boldness. She pushed her tongue against his, and then his hand was riding up her bodice. His large, calloused hand was fondling her breast, gently massaging it even as his knee pressed harder between his legs.

"Daenae stop," Lana gasped.

His fingers ran up to the neckline of her dress before running along her collar bone. She felt a throbbing sensation between her legs that made her kiss him harder even as his fingers dipped below her neckline.

Daniel tugged on the neckline of her dress, wanting to feel more of her. He hadn't meant to take things so far, but a single press of her lips against his own and his mind was filled with images of laying her on the sofa and having his way with her. From the way she was writhing against him, he knew she was thinking of the same thing.

He could only think of bringing her more pleasure, of showing her how he could make her feel.

Daniel pushed down the neckline of her dress so his fingers could ghost over a hard nipple. He was rewarded with a gasp as he began to tease her, gently circling this sensitive part of her. He loved to feel how she responded to him, how she became putty beneath his hands.

"And what of this?" he asked. He pulled back to see the way she threw her head back in pleasure, her eyes closed tight. He continued to gently draw circles around her nipple as he spoke to her. "Is this part of yer rules?"

He didn't expect a response. Not when she was lost in the feeling of his fingers on her nipple, but then he heard her speak in a strained tone.

"Nay. Nae anymore," Lana gasped. Daniel thought of loosening the ties of her dress, giving himself more access. "I couldnae forbid anythin' that feels so good."

Those words made him think of many more things he could do to bring her pleasure. He dropped his hand from her breast and saw her eyes snap open in surprise. But then, without a second thought, he brought his hand to her thigh and lifted her into his arms. He carried her to his large, wooden desk.

"What are ye doin'?" Lana gasped.

But Daniel ignored her. He pressed her against the desk and pushed items aside so he could sit her on the edge of it. It was almost instinctual the way she opened her legs, letting him wedge his body between them.

He kissed her again, his hand cradling her head. His fingers delved into her hair, tugging at the small braids and twists someone had put there this morning. Lana pushed her tongue into his mouth, but then he pulled away, kissing down her neck and across the swell of her breasts. All he could think of was exploring forbidden parts of her, though where he wanted to start was a tough decision.

As he let his lips and tongue explore Lana's neck, Daniel reached down to her knee. Her skirts were long and covered far too much of her for his liking. He gathered the fabric of her skirts in one hand and pulled it up. He first revealed her knee, letting his fingers tease the bare skin there, and then he started to push her skirts higher. He dropped his hand to the inside of her thigh and slowly explored higher.

As he did this, Lana leaned back on her elbows, trying to close her legs though his body was still between them.

"That will be all for now, Me Laird."

The sudden change in Lana surprised him, and he stepped back to look at her. But she was rearranging her clothes, pulling up the neckline of her dress to ensure she was well covered. She smoothed her skirts back down, covering the soft skin of her knee and the hint of her thigh he had been exploring.

He saw now that he had pushed things too far, and frustration simmered in his veins. Why did he have to behave like some aroused young lad who couldn't control himself? When he had Lana in his arms, all rational thought seemed to fly out of the window.

And to think ye started this conversation trying to regain control.

Daniel remembered the way Lana had defied him in front of his daughter. He remembered how he wanted to keep her from making decisions for the child. How had he ended up kissing her and dreaming of taking her on his desk?

Lana pushed herself down from the desk and continued to fix her skirts. He could still see the pink flush on her cheeks, and the redness of her lips sent a new surge of desire straight through him. But Daniel pushed it down, forcing a scowl on his face.

"Well then," Lana said, avoiding his gaze, "I'm glad we understand the rules."

"Aye," Daniel uttered, feeling the need to regain control. "And ye understand what I expect for me daughter. Ye willnae make decisions for her."

"How am I to care for the child if I cannae make decisions?" Lana asked.

They were back to the same argument, and Daniel suddenly felt tired. He wanted a simple solution for raising his daughter. When he had nannies, he could simply tell them what to do and how to care for Skye. He was starting to realize that things wouldn't be so easy with Lana…

"Ye will take it slow," he explained. "Ye will get to ken me household before ye start changin' it. Ye are practically a stranger."

He saw how the last word hit her—there was hurt in her eyes. Stranger. Could he call a woman that after he had kissed her the way he had kissed Lana? Was it fair to make her feel like a visitor in his castle?

Daniel pushed these concerns aside and told himself he was only doing what was best for his daughter. He couldn't have someone upsetting her whole life in the course of one day.

"Very well, Me Laird." Lana stood stiffly in front of him, her arms straight at her sides. "Shall I prepare for dinner?"

He couldn't tell if there was a hint of sarcasm in her voice. He had a thought that she might be mocking him, making a show of asking his permission to leave the room. He narrowed his eye, trying to understand the woman standing in front of him. But he chose to push forward, taking her words at face value.

"Aye." Daniel nodded. "Get settled in yer chambers before that."

"Very well, Me Laird. I'll see ye at dinner."

He watched as Lana crossed toward the door, clearly avoiding his gaze. As she walked away from him, he didn't miss what she muttered under her breath.

"That is, if ye will break bread with a stranger."