I’m so glad you came to take a peek at my S.E.X = Seriously Exciting eXcerpts    Isn’t this fun?

The following is an excerpt from my new upcoming, soon to be released book, Somewhere To Belong. Hope you enjoy. 😉

***

What the hell is she doing out here, Daniel wondered.

He stepped up to the stall next to where she sat, made his inspection of Sallie, then looked over at her as if seeing her for the first time. “Hey, Kayla, is that you?”

“Aye, Daniel,” she whispered.

“Uhmmm, have you been sitting in the dark this whole time?”

Kayla looked down at her hands. “Aye. It’s quiet here.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“I’d be pleased.”

Daniel sat down on the hay beside her. “What’re you doing out here?”

Kayla shrugged and sighed, “I’ve had enough of the celebration. I wanted to check on Sallie. ’Tis better than sitting in the great hall with my family and the MacDonalds.”

“Won’t they miss you?” Daniel picked up a blade of hay and stuck it between his teeth.

Kayla looked up at him as if he had two heads. “I doubt it. Why should they? They never notice me when I’m there. How can they notice me when I’m gone?” He could hear the pain in her voice.

“I can’t believe that. It seems to me like your mother always has her eye on you, especially when I’m around. You know, I don’t think she likes me very much,” he spoke in a conspiratorial tone, as if sharing some great secret, trying to sound lighthearted. He was rewarded with her tinkling laughter. Unfortunately, it was short-lived.

“I’m sure you heard that she wants me to marry Arlin.” Kayla glanced up at him but quickly looked away.

“Yeah, I’ve heard. How do you feel about that?”

She looked surprised that he would ask such a question. “I no believe Arlin wants to marry me. Have you seen the way he acts?”

“That’s not what I asked. How do you feel?”

Kayla turned sullen again. “It doesn’t matter how I feel. This is no about my feelings. This is about what’s best for the clan.”

“I beg to differ. This is all about how you feel.”

“’Tis easy for you to say. You’re a man. You do as you please. You’ve no one to tell you what to do or who to marry. Your life is your own. Mine is not.”

He was tempted to argue with her. Lately, it didn’t feel like his life was his own. But this wasn’t about him. “You still haven’t told me how you feel. What would you do if it was up to you?”

“I would no marry Arlin. I would send him and the whole MacDonald clan away tomorrow.”

“Can’t say that I blame you. I haven’t found them to be all that grand myself.” Daniel gave a lighthearted chuckle. In the dim moonlight, he could see her smile. Barely, but he had gotten a smile out of her.

“It doesn’t matter. They no listen to me.”

Daniel reached for her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’m listening.”

She remained perfectly still, her eyes large and searching, her lips slightly parted. Holding her hand in his, he placed the palm of her hand to rest against his chest. Alone with her in the dark, it was too easy to give in to the temptation that had been plaguing him since the moment he met her. He dropped his head, placed his lips over hers, and kissed her. Ever so softly, he kissed her.

Dear Mother of God, she was sweet. He could feel her melting on his lips like warm milk chocolate, and dang if her taste wasn’t every bit as delicious. He brought his free hand up to cup her cheek. Her lips parted, welcoming, inviting, and he delved deeper. He felt her fingers on his chest grab at his shirt, bunching the fabric in her fist, hanging on and pulling him close.

He pulled back for only a second to check her reaction. He saw longing and desire in her eyes. It was enough for him. He reached for her again, pulling her close. He could feel her reaction as she responded to his kiss, her body seeking his. He laid her down beside him as he rolled over on the hay, aligning their bodies in a lover’s embrace.

Though she was innocent, and slightly awkward in her movements, he could feel the heated need in her response. He held her close, allowing his hand to roam freely over her body, exploring her lush curves, imagining the soft naked flesh concealed beneath the layers of her clothing. Thank God for her clothing. It was a thin but vital protection from his blatant desires. But it didn’t protect her from his kisses. He smothered her with his kisses, and she yielded. Holding nothing back, she took as he gave.

He wondered when he had last made out with an innocent woman like her. Ten, maybe twelve, years ago. The sensation was unnerving. He wanted to pull the clothes from her body and ravish her right then and there. For one primordial moment, he nearly gave in to temptation. He buried his face in the softness of her neck and bosom, breathing in her scent, earthy, and fresh, and totally woman. He had to stop. He had to control himself. But it was too damn hard. He was too damn hard.

He had just reached a hand up under her skirt, seeking naked flesh, when suddenly he heard a noise. She stiffened. She’d heard it too. Almost as bad as being allowed to continue his ravishment of her body was the embarrassment of being interrupted. His first thought was for Kayla. He couldn’t let anyone find her like this. The consequences would be too hard on her.

He motioned for her to be quiet. It was a rather needless gesture. She had no intention of making any noise. Softly, silently, he rolled away from her into the dark recesses of the narrow stall. He reached out to help straighten her clothing, pulling bits of straw from her hair and clothes. She understood. Pulling her close for one last kiss, he whispered into her ear, “You have to go.”

She nodded.

She impressed him with her stealth. Moving with quiet efficiency, she made her way over to the next stall, holding her horse, and began to brush the animal’s hide. She then began to whisper words of endearment, as if speaking for Sallie’s ears only. Daniel appreciated her ingenuity. Within seconds, he heard a man’s voice call out to her.

“Hey, Kayla, what are ye doing out here?” It was Rory.

Daniel breathed a little easier, but maintained his hiding place deep in the shadows of the last stall, his back against the wall. Rory was by far the more easygoing of the brothers, but Daniel had no doubts that Rory would obligingly kick his ass if he thought Daniel was trying to take advantage of his little sister.

“I couldn’t sleep. I took a walk out here to check on Sallie,” Kayla replied.

“Alone?” Rory questioned.

“Aye, alone.” Daniel could hear the trepidation in Kayla’s voice. He wondered if Rory heard it too.

“’Tis late. Ye should be up in your chamber, getting some sleep.”

Kayla yawned. “I’ll be going there now. Will ye walk with me?”

Good girl, Daniel thought.

“Aye, come along now.”

Daniel could hear Kayla walk away, headed toward Rory. He crawled to the edge of the stall and very cautiously peered through a space in the boards. Rory wrapped an arm around Kayla, and they started walking away. Daniel let out the breath he’d been holding. A moment before they stepped out of the stables, Rory paused and turned to look over his shoulder. “Ye best get yourself to bed too, Daniel,” Rory called out.

Kayla gasped, Rory laughed, and Daniel beat his fist against the wall. Dang, they were busted.