Page 37 of The Laird's Dark Obsession

He watched with hungry eyes as she became more and more confident with her movements. He craved her too badly, needing to ravish her until her body was spent and heavy against his. This was new and exciting, and he relaxed back in his chair, watching her as she explored this little taste of control.

Kira’s cheeks were flushed and her teeth were biting down on her lower lip. She busied her hands, undoing the buttons of his blouse until her hands rested on his bare chest. The thought of stripping them both naked and having her right on top of hisdesk was tempting, but he wanted to let her explore him. For the first time in his life, he wanted to submit. Because submitting in that moment was giving her freedom.

She brought her lips to his again as her movements sped up, the chair creaking underneath them. “Hunter,” she breathed.

He could feel the tightness of her sex and the way her nails slightly dug into the skin of his shoulders. She was closing in on her release already, but he wasn’t anywhere near done with her.

Taking hold of her hips, he bucked into her thrusts, sending himself deeper into her with each flick. “Keep going, my Lady. Use me,” he breathed into her lips.

The franticness of her motion made him feel frenzied. Her body rocked into his again and again, her leg muscles clenching and her fingers knotting in his hair. His hands were pressed to the small of her back for support as she writhed and groaned, and he peppered her face with light kisses.

She leaned against him and focused on catching her breath, his manhood still alert and pressed into her. “I want… more,” she whispered into his ear.

He didn’t need any more encouragement than that. Scooping her up, he kept their bodies together and placed her atop his desk. “Yer wish is my command, my Lady,” he purred against the skin of his neck as he thrust into her.

16

The next morning, Hunter and Kira set off to the northern clan of MacDougal. Laird MacDougal was his father’s closest friend all those years ago and if they were to have any ally for the pending war, it would be him. The carriage ride was long, taking well into the afternoon until they reached the gates of the Keep. He had visited that place a few times in his youth and it looked the exact same from all those years ago.

They stepped out of the carriage and after a few words with the head guard, they were ushered through the gates. For each man who traveled with the Galbraiths, there were two MacDougal men. The air was tense and Hunter knew it wasn’t because of him but because of Kira. He might as well have been carrying in a poisonous viper in their eyes. Fairbairn wasn’t only infamous in Hunter’s clan, and Kira was seen as his devout disciple. The wide-eyed child that hardly left her father’s side.

He kept her hand tightly closed in his. No harm would befall her, ever. Not as long as he was still breathing.

From a distance, he locked eyes with Frazer MacDougal as he stood with arms folded over his chest at his front door. The years since Hunter had last seen him had been kind. He was still strong and tall, without the telltale signs of age other than more gray hairs pushing back from his face and making his blackhair gradient. His gray eyes were narrowed in on Kira, though. When the Galbraith group came to a stop just short of the stairs, Hunter positioned himself a step ahead of Kira, tucking her behind him without blocking her completely from view.

Frazer narrowed his gaze, finally assessing Hunter for the first time. Hunter’s own eyes remained as steady as his heartrate. He was in control, his senses were alert, and he was ready for even this peaceful visit to turn violent.

“So it’s true then. Ye wed the Fairbairn lass,” Frazer said, the surname uttered with sheer disgust.

“Aye,” Hunter confirmed. “She’s my wife. She’s a Galbraith.”

Frazer sneered and his gaze bounced between the two of them. “It is more unsettling to see ye with her than if ye were to charge my Keep, Hunter.”

The unspoken words hung in the air.Why would he marry the daughter of Fairbairn?Time was of the essence and Hunter was going to get right to the point and answer it regardless of whether Frazer would speak it aloud.

“Kira Galbraith is nae the enemy and never has been,” he said confidently.

“Dinnae let yer lust speak above logic, lad,” Frazer warned Hunter.

It was Hunter’s turn to glare, murderous warning burning in his hazel hues. He wasn’t going to stand for anyone reducing Kira to a piece of meat that Hunter was bewitched by. He had to tread carefully instead of lashing out, though. He was there for help, not trouble.

Speaking again, he kept his voice even. “I will nae soften the past, nor do I surrender my hatred for Fairbairn. What transpired years ago will have its retribution before my last breath. On that I swear my name and life. But that hatred and lust for revenge also blinded me to other facts. Like how Lady Kira had nothing to do with those deaths. And if there is anyone who has more right to fear Laird Fairbairn, it is her. Her loyalty lies with me,” Hunter stated firmly.

“Foolish lad,” Frazer spat. “Ye’ve been deceived by a woman who studied at the hand of yer enemy. Lust has clouded yer judgment in marrying this girl.”

Hunter took a step forward and Kira squeezed his hand to keep him near. “I understand that marrying Kira is controversial from the outside looking in, but I can assure ye it was nae a weakness. It was strength that I gained. And with only a bit of conversation, ye will see that she is a good woman. And she wants revenge on her faither just as much. Let us all work together to finally bring down Fairbairn, once and for all.”

Frazer was silent, studying the couple closely, the way they clung together, how Kira held her head high instead of cowering with shame. A long while passed with him just staring at them, and then he sighed.

“Ye may rest here tonight. We will talk over breakfast, in private.” Hunter bowed his head in respect. “Ye remind me of yer faither, Hunter. For better or worse. Well-spoken even when ye’re spouting nonsense.”

“A compliment I dinnae deserve, but I accept in gratitude,” Hunter said before raising his head.

Frazer then signaled to his men to disperse, and servants were brought forth to guide them to their chambers for the night. The Laird disappeared without another word, but Hunter was feeling hopeful. If he was letting them spend the night, it meant he was open to being allies. He just needed some time to accept Kira and their marriage. Considering the man her father was, Hunter couldn’t blame him for needing a night to sleep on it.

The guest bedchamber was modest but well-kept, with only a bed, small desk, and a wardrobe in the room. The maid let them know that their supper would be served in the room before she took her leave. Hunter sighed and when he turned to face Kira, her arms wrapped around him. Her arms were tight around him, her face pressed into his chest. Slowly, he brought his arms around her, resting his chin atop her head.

“Thank ye,” she whispered. “For standing up for me like that.”