His Rebel Bride (Brothers in Arms Book 3) by Shayla Black, Shelley Bradley Page B

gaze. “That may be, but there is not a woman here who wants a place in your bed.”
    She meant the words as a slur. Maeve saw instantly that Kildare took them as a challenge.
    He stood then, staring, ever watchful, as if taking her measure. Maeve resisted the urge to shiver. Kildare was the enemy, no matter how well he caught her attention.
    The rousing smile she knew as his returned, along with a healthy dose of determination. “Mayhap I should prove you wrong, sweet Maeve.”
    “You cannot make me want you.”
    It was the wrong thing to say. Maeve realized that as Kildare’s smile widened and he sauntered toward her. She looked around the great hall for help. No one stood about. ’Twas empty, from the freshly beaten tapestries covering the high stone wall on her left, to the huge blaze heating the room in the hearth at her right.
    Kildare’s smile was rich with purpose. “Tsk, sweet Maeve. How can you dislike something before you try it?”
    Maeve stood firm against his slow advance and glared at him. “I already know I would find any such contact with an ogre displeasing.”
    He grinned yet wider. “Well, if you are certain, let us test it, shall we?”
    Before she could protest or place a hand between them, Kildare seized her around the waist and dragged her close, against the hard wall of his chest. For an infinite moment, their gazes locked, his heated and determined.
    Against her will, Maeve felt her awareness of his solid body rising, felt her face flushing, her belly tightening with what she could only call anticipation. Nay, she should feel this for Quaid, had always wanted to. Why should she feel this with an enemy who would soon destroy her home and make her or one of her sisters an unwilling bride?
    But as Kildare stood against her, his gaze probed hers as if to peer deep inside her and see her longings so he might fulfill them, ’twas hard to remember he was the enemy.
    Perspiration broke out between her breasts. She parted her lips to say something, to take in more air.
    Kildare leaned in and took her mouth with a gentle sweep, surrounding her lips and plying them farther apart with an insistent caress.
    The contact jolted her all the way to her tingling toes. Maeve’s breath left her. She drowned in sensation. The rasp of his morning beard, the sound of his harsh breath in her ear, the feel of his iron arms about her, keeping her prisoner to his kiss—she noted all with her flushed, fluttering senses. He enticed with his lips, teasing and coaxing her surrender.
    She weakened to the pleasure, then demanded more. Kildare knew how to master a mouth, how to make a woman crave more in an instant.
    She opened beneath Kildare and stood on tiptoes to meet him as a craving imprisoned her. With a sound of approval, Kildare deepened the kiss again, this time sweeping his tongue about her own, taunting her, until she felt breathless, until, weak-kneed, she clutched him for support.
    Kildare lifted his head, burning her with a heated smile.
    Sweet Mary, what had she done?
    “Cease!” she said, backing away.
    Kildare reached for her. “Why, sweet Maeve? Was that not pleasant?”
    “Nay.”
    “Nay?” He pretended confusion. “I do not recall a protest from you. Did you issue one?”
    “Swine,” she muttered, flushing with heat.
    Kildare merely flashed her an insufferable grin.
    She kicked him in the shin. “Do not kiss me again.”
    Her reaction was childish, she knew. But he roused her ire, blast him.
    He laughed as she left the room with her head held high.
     
    * * * *
     
    The following morn, Kieran found himself in a familiar place, in the great hall, awaiting an O’Shea sister.
    Today, ’twas Fiona’s turn to spend the day with him. He did not relish the hours ahead. In fact, he found his thoughts disturbed by thoughts of her surly brother, who had returned last night well into his cups. He also could not forget her redheaded sister.
    Aye, his blood heated at the thought of kissing sweet Maeve.