Chapter 16

16

When he entered the shop, he didn't immediately see anyone. But then he heard Skye's voice coming from the back corner. He followed her voice, suddenly realizing that she sounded upset. When he rounded the corner, the wind was nearly knocked out of him as he saw Lana in nothing more than a silk nightgown.

The gown was white and flowy, the fabric like water against her skin. He could see how thin the material was, and he longed to be closer, eager to take in every curve of her body and imagine what lay beneath. Even from here, he could see the roundness of her breasts and the enticing curve of her hips that called to him, making him instantly aroused.

Daniel was so transfixed by her that it took him a moment to realize that his daughter was crying over a dress. Meanwhile, Lana was doing everything she could to comfort her.

"We'll take them both," he announced, surprising the three women, who looked up at him. "Please send the bill to MacCrawford Castle."

The interruption and the purchase of the dress was enough for Skye to calm down, and the next few minutes were a flurry of activity as Lana and Skye changed and their purchases were boxed up.

Daniel kept thinking about the shocked expression on Lana's face when she realized he was standing there. Had he only imagined the mischief in her eyes as she realized she was wearing a nightgown in front of him?

"Cameron, take Skye home," Daniel instructed.

The little girl was already in her uncle's arms, her head resting on his shoulder. Daniel had a feeling she would sleep before they arrived at the castle.

"Come with me," Daniel said, guiding Lana toward his horse.

He was disappointed to see she was back in her dress and all the layers of fabric this entailed. Still, he wanted her close to him, and he eagerly placed his hands on her waist to lift her onto his horse.

They rode in silence, with Lana sitting a few inches in front of him. She was so close that he could smell the clean scent of soap on her skin and the sweet scent of her hair. Daniel couldn't stop thinking about her standing in that nightgown, her cheeks the perfect shade of pink.

Every time he thought of it, he tried to force the image out of his mind. He couldn't. And the image was making him dangerously hot with desire. His thighs were so close to Lana's, and he kept dreaming of pulling her against him, of letting her feel his barely contained arousal. He dreamed of reaching up to cup her breasts with his hands and pressing kisses to the spot behind her ear.

Get it together.

"What are ye thinkin' of?" Lana asked, jolting him out of his thoughts.

He was glad she couldn't read what was going through his mind, which would certainly shock her.

"I was thinkin' of a detour," he said instead.

Suddenly, he steered the horse off the well-trodden path and urged it forward, picking up speed before she could protest.

"What are ye doin'?" Lana asked, but he heard laughter in her voice.

Daniel was starting to realize that she enjoyed a bit of excitement in her life. He expertly guided the horse through the woods even with an extra person in front of him.

It only took them a moment to emerge into a clearing. He stopped the horse on the edge of the treeline and allowed Lana to take in the wide expanse of grass and wildflowers that lay in front of them. And then, just beyond, was a beautiful lake of deep blue water. Lush, green islands popped up in the center.

"It's beautiful," Lana breathed. She leaned back a bit as she took it in, resting her back ever so gently against his chest.

Daniel was pleased that the weather was good. The sun shone down through a few fluffy clouds making their way lazily across the sky. He swung his leg over the back of the horse to dismount before reaching up to help Lana down. She hopped, and he caught her in the air before slowly lowering her to her feet.

Daniel couldn't help holding her a bit too close, letting her body slowly slide down his own until her feet were back on the ground, her face tilted up to his. He didn't miss the way her lips parted slightly, ready for his kiss.

"I cannae stop thinkin' of ye in that nightdress," he whispered, eager to shock her.

He was rewarded by her eyebrows rising almost to her hairline, and she backed away, clearly embarrassed.

"Ye werenae meant to see," Lana protested.

She walked away from him quickly, headed toward the edge of the lake. But Daniel wouldn't give up so easily. He felt a lightness inside, countered only by the desire he had felt ever since they had left that store.

"Who is a nightdress for if nae for yer husband?"

Lana turned around, and he watched as the breeze from the lake gently blew locks of hair across her face. She brushed them aside angrily but unsuccessfully, making him smile.

"Perhaps I will wear it alone," Lana countered. "It will be for me eyes only."

Daniel stepped closer and carefully brushed the locks of hair out of her face, making her freeze. He ran his finger over her cheek and along her jawline. Finally, he brought his finger up and ran it over her bottom lip.

"That would be a shame," he murmured. "Then I would only have the memory of ye in that gown to dream about."

Lana seemed overwhelmed by his words, almost weak in the knees, and he slid his hand around her back to hold her steady.

"In truth, I have been dreamin' of it already," Daniel continued, watching her lips part, seeing the gentle fall and rise of her chest as her breathing grew shallow. "I have been wild with the image of ye standin' there, with nothin' but thin fabric covering ye."

Lana was suitably shocked by his words, but she held his gaze. He admired her bravery, though her cheeks were redder than he had ever seen them. Daniel leaned closer, ready to kiss those eager lips, but something stopped him.

"Ye want me to kiss ye again," he said.

It wasn't a question, but he saw the way she nodded slowly, her eyes locked with his.

"Then ye must ask me nicely."

"I might want to kiss ye, but I still daenae like ye yet," Lana breathed. "Would ye kiss a lass who doesnae like ye?"

He was impressed she could think so clearly when her body was so obviously crying out for him.

"I would." Daniel smiled, bringing his mouth so close to hers that she could feel his lips forming the words. "Because I might be able to change her mind. Would ye let me try?"

Lana leaned up, trying to trap his lips with her own, but Daniel pulled away with a smirk. He wanted to hear her answer.

"I might," she murmured.

Her hips shifted forward, and her thighs pressed against his own. His arousal was growing, and he wondered if she would be surprised to feel exactly what she was doing to him. But she didn't pull away.

Daniel closed his eye at the sensation of Lana pressing herself against him, holding back a groan.

"Kiss me," Lana said, clearly amused as she realized the power she had over him.

But Daniel pulled his hips away, not ready to give in. He brought his mouth close to her ear and whispered, "Beg."

He had to hold her up, as her knees buckled at the word.

"Please," Lana said, her voice husky with desire. "Kiss me now."

Finally, his mouth was on hers. Finally, his hips were grinding against hers, and his manhood was long and hard against her belly. Lana had never felt anything like it, and she thought she might fall apart with the new sensations flowing through her.

Somehow they ended up on the ground, sitting together. Lana felt the cold earth and the soft, tickling grass beneath her legs, but she didn't have time to think about it. Daniel was licking down her neck, and his fingers were beneath her neckline. She was shocked to realize he had freed a breast from its confines, but then his lips wrapped around her nipple.

She couldn't help crying out, and she couldn't help the gentle moans escaping her lips as his tongue flicked against her nipple. Her hands were in his hair, pulling him closer. She wanted more of him, and she didn't protest when his hand reached around to the back of her dress. She felt the fabric loosen as he pulled at the strings that the shopkeeper had haphazardly re-tied.

Daniel leaned back and looked down at her, taking in her bare breasts with a possessive look that sent a shiver up her spine. She suddenly felt shy, sitting here so exposed to him, but then his hand came up to gently rub circles across one breast while his mouth ravished the other. He guided her back so she lay down, and then he threw his leg over her own.

He ground his hips against hers, rocking back and forth, and Lana felt the full length of him. She was curious, eager to know more, and suddenly Daniel took her hand and guided it to his arousal. He ground into her hand even as he continued to kiss up and down her breasts, occasionally finding his way back to her lips.

All at once, Lana felt cool air on her calves, and then she felt the fabric of her dress bunching around her knees. Daniel's hand pushed her skirts up, the very move he had tried twice before. But this time, she didn't stop him.