Surviving Scotland by Kristin Vayden

maybe…” His eyes darkened as he grew closer and closer. “Ye are right.”
    A huge smile split my face as joy overflowed in having Ioan so close to me and not glaring, but grinning.
    “Ioan—”
    “Shhh, Elle.”
    Ioan’s finger touched my lips, effectively halting any words I would have spoken. His touch lingered, sending a delicious shiver down my back. Eyes the color of the moss surrounding us gazed intently at me, alternating between my eyes, nose, and finally fixing on my mouth. Ioan’s lips parted and his breath brushed my face as he leaned forward.
    “Ye talk too much.” Ioan smirked and I opened my mouth to reply, but his lips overtook my own. My thoughts scattered as I lost myself in Ioan’s kiss. Strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me into a tight embrace where every line of Ioan’s strong body aligned with my own. One hand moved from my back and cupped my chin, tilting my head so that he could deepen the kiss. I followed eagerly, making up for my inexperience with enthusiasm. When his tongue teased my lips, I reached out with my own and tentatively caressed his lower lip. Ioan’s response was immediate. With a shiver I felt echoed in my own body, Ioan’s tongue plundered my mouth, and I lost myself in the unique flavor of him. I reached up and wove my fingers through his chestnut hair, tugging it from its leather strap. Ioan groaned, and I continued in my caresses, growing bolder. His thick mane was so soft against my fingers. Ioan’s scent filled my senses, a mix of cedar and fresh air that only increased my desire for him. Ioan’s lips left mine and traveled to my jaw and neck, trailing kisses and nips that gave me goosebumps. He rested his forehead at the curve of my neck. The sound of our heavy breathing seemed overly loud in the otherwise silent forest. As Ioan leaned against me, his arms held me tightly so that I could feel the rapid beat of his heart, knowing mine was equally as fast. My touch gentled as I smoothed his hair and then ran my fingers down his back, tracing the hard lines of muscle I could feel through his shirt.
    “Lass, ye need ta stop afore I lose the last shred o’ my self-control an’ take ye now.”
    My fingers halted for a moment. With a grin, I began to caress once more. Ioan’s head rose and he glared at me. I grinned back unrepentant.
    “So this is yer punishment for me stubbornness? Ye make me burn knowin’ I canna do a thing about it? Ye always were a cruel one.”
    “‘Tis less than ye deserve.”
    Ioan clenched his jaw for a moment then released the grin he was fighting back.
    “Perhaps. But me kisses make up for a lot, donna they?”
    He winked and I slapped at his shoulder. It was good to have my teasing Ioan back finally.
    “I donna ken, ‘twas but a wee kiss. I’ll need more ta give ye an honest answer.” I sighed dramatically and wove my fingers once more through his hair. He groaned.
    “Donna stop, Elle.” Ioan’s eyes drifted closed in response to my touch. His head dropped slightly, giving me a better reach.
    “Ye donna ken how long I’ve dreamed o’ this, Elle.”
    “This? Me fightin’ yer unruly hair?”
    I gave it a playful tug, knowing he was referring to the kiss, but wanting the affirmation from his own lips. Hadn’t he kissed me before and then broken my heart? Granted, that was a much smaller kiss, but it had given me hope, only to let that hope be shattered a few moments later.
    “Nay, ta kiss ye, lass.” Ioan groaned, still lost in my playful teasing of his hair.
    “Ye kissed me afore,” I offered lightly.
    Ioan’s head rose up and he gave me a disbelieving look.
    “That wasna a kiss.”
    “Still counts. ‘Twas my first kiss and ye did a bad job of it, I must say…”
    “Donna start with me, lass. Besides, ‘twasn’t yer first kiss.”
    “What?”
    Ioan grinned wolfishly and reached up to trace my cheek with his fingers, leaving a warm trail behind his touch.
    “I kissed ye when ye were seven, out by the