Her Highland Defender Read Online Free PDF Page A

away and Ceana came forward.
    “Forgive my mamaidh. She meant no harm. She sleepwalks.”
    “’Tis no bother.”
    Ceana took another step forward. “I hope she didnae—” Her words were cut off with a tiny cry and she stumbled. His boots, he realised too late, as he caught her arms to prevent another fall. She fell into his lap in a crumpled heap. Her arms were bony, her legs long and slender. Blane fumbled to help her up and his hands came to her waist.
    He could snap her in two with such ease. That awareness brought forward a surge of protectiveness. Did she go without so others could eat? It seemed likely somehow. The need to protect waned quickly when he became aware of soft, warm skin against the thin cotton of her chemise. She smelled of lavender and he inhaled deeply, drawing her back into the cradle of his lap.
    “B-Blane...”
    Ceana curled her fingers into his shirt. There was no hiding his arousal and no doubt she felt it against her. He pressed aside her riotous hair. All he wanted was a little taste. Perhaps a small touch. And if the way her body slowly unfurled into him, Blane suspected she felt the same.
    The glow of the torches outside was enough to highlight her lightly trembling form. Her nipples pressed against the thin chemise and her pale skin begged for his lips. He eyed the creamy expanse of her neck and heard her shuddery breath. He’d seen her fear before and this wasn’t it. Ceana wanted his kiss as much as he wanted to give it.
    With deliberate caution, he brought his mouth to her neck, just behind her ear. Another tremble ran through her and he tightened his grip as though lending what little strength he had left to her. The fragile length of her body fit perfectly against him and he was already imagining her laid out and bare for him.
    Blane skimmed his lips down to her collarbone and up again to her ear. One finger under her chin, he coaxed her face around and stared into those evocative eyes. He saw no hesitation or fear. Taking one last, long draw of her warm scent, he lowered his mouth—
    “Ceana!”
    She wriggled against him like a trapped bird. “I must go. Kate needs me.”
    He wanted to keep her there. Hold her and bid her to be selfish. To let him kiss and touch her until she forgot her sister and mother. But he recognised something in her that resonated with him—the need to look after others. He’d failed his duty of care so he wouldn’t prevent her from doing what she needed to.
    Blane released her, even while doing so tore at his gut and created a heavy ache in his chest. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d wanted a woman so badly.
    “G-Good night, Blane,” she whispered before turning away. She pressed aside his boots with a foot and moved carefully out of his bedchamber. He couldn’t help wonder if her slow pace meant she didn’t wish to leave him or was mayhap hoping he’d drag her back, but the brief moment of not touching her had brought him back to his senses.
    The door closed behind her and he sank onto the bed, his hands behind his head. He had revenge to seek.
    Ceana was a distraction he didn’t need.

Chapter Four
    Even as the morning sun touched her skin, Ceana recalled the touch of something far more wonderful.
    Blane.
    A frisson ran through her body. She paused to look up at the bright sky, grateful for its light and the relative freedom it brought. Outside, shapes and colours were clear enough for her to be able to behave almost as any other woman might. She yanked on the rope and drew up the bucket to prop it on the side of the well.
    She dipped her fingers in the icy water and dabbed it on her neck. Ceana couldn’t blame the sun for the heat traversing her body. Nay, it was the memory of being held in Blane’s arms, of his lips so close she could feel the heat of his breath.
    He had intended to kiss her, had he not?
    Part of her wished he had. It had been so long since she’d felt a man’s touch. Her husband had died over six summers ago