April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 01 Read Online Free Page B

he walked behind her and pressed the front of his body up against the curve of her back.
    With one of his hands on her hip and the other holding onto her right shoulder she started to feel light-headed by the physical contact. Each breath became forceful as she felt his hot breath on the back of her neck. Both of them stood still. Feeling his thumb lightly rubbing back and forth on the top of her shoulder gave her goose bumps.
    Feeling uncomfortable at the close contact, Annella leaped out of his hold, just as her feet got tangled up by the skirt of her dress. She began to lose balance when Rory scooped her up in his arms to prevent her from falling. Slowly, Annella pivoted and tilted her head up to him.
    Rory took this as an invitation and brought his lips down to hers. It was only meant to be a light kiss but, when she began to kiss him back that was all the encouragement he needed. With his tongue, he pressed it onto her lips enticing her to open. When she complied, Rory swept his tongue into her mouth. Kissing her, tasting her. He threaded his fingers through the long locks of hair at the back of her head to deepen the kiss. With his other hand he placed it onto the small of her back and held her close to him.
    Annella was not sure what to do, but took her direction from him and swept her tongue along his. He let out a deep moan and pressed her body closer and tighter to his. She lifted her arms and wrapped them around the back of his neck. She wanted more, but unsure of what more meant. Rory positioned himself between her thighs and she could feel the hardness of his manhood pressing up against her stomach. She found a sense of joy knowing that he was just as affected by this kiss as she was.
    Rory knew he had to stop soon before he lost control. He could not take her maidenhood from her out here in the woods. He could not take it from her at all. But he yearned to touch her. He wanted her more than any woman he ever had. But he couldn’t stop. His body would not cooperate. Her lips tasted like honey and he was buzzing like a bee.
    Feeling the awkward tension between them, she abruptly stepped out of his embrace.
    Nervously she said, “It’s getting late, I must go.”
    Suddenly regret filled Annella's mind. What have I done?
    Watching her stomp away towards her horse, Rory quickly ran over to her and grabbed her by the hand. "Please, dinna leave. Ye have nay any reason to fear me."
    "I dinna fear ye. This should no’ have happened and I can no’ be around ye. Ye make me feel things, things I dinna want to feel."
    Rory was not certain what she meant by that but knew that he too was starting to feel something for her as well. He enjoyed spending his time with her. He had never felt like this towards a lass before, but any feelings he had would have to be denied. He knew that he had nothing to offer her. No promises. No future.
    He watched her as she picked up her skirt and set her foot into the stirrup of the saddle to mount her horse. With a jerk of her wrist she yanked onto the reins luring Finlay into a fast sprint.
     

Chapter 3
     
    Annella was the first to sit down at the table for the evening meal. Berta walked through the kitchen door with a plate of warm fresh bread in her hands. Looking awkwardly at Annella, she could tell that something was amiss.
    “My lady, is everything alright?”
    “Aye, and nay.”
    “I dinna understand, my lady. Ye are talking in circles.”
    “He kissed me,” Annella said wondering if she looked as confused as she felt.
    “Ach my lady, he kissed ye? When? Where?” Berta asked beaming with joy and dropped the plate onto the table.
    “Aye. I dinna ken how I let it happen. It just did. One moment he was frustrating the wits out of me and the next I was kissing him,” she explained as she tore a small chunk off her bread and popped it into her mouth.
    “It’s because ye like the mon. And why shouldnae ye? He is verra handsome,” she smiled trying to convince Annella to