Crimson Highlander (Onyx Assassins 2)

Stay strong. It’s the only way. I whispered the words of courage to myself, willing my spine to straighten. Willing my face into a sharp mask of equal parts lust and anger. The Valor Lachlan had crossed every line to get a taste of.

“Are you still angry with me?” Lachlan’s voice slid over my skin like a blanket of warmth to chase away the chill clinging to my bones.

“Always,” I said in my most teasing tone. I took a slow, steady breath and then turned to face him with nothing but need in my eyes.

Hiding the desperation, the anguish, from my mate, was no easy feat. If he looked hard enough, he’d see right through me.

He always had.

And shame on me for not instantly recognizing how amazing we could be together. How perfectly matched.

And now it was too late.

“You understand why I can’t allow you to go,” he said, sliding out of his leather jacket. There were a few hours left in the day, but none of them had slept. I had this last chance with him before I needed to carry out my plan.

“I’m human,” I snapped, stalking toward him. He tracked every step toward him, those eyes churning with a silent plea for me to submit. “Breakable. Weak—”

Lachlan’s growl cut me off. “You are not weak,” he barked right back, his arms flying to my shoulders and squeezing gently. “I am.” I tilted my head. “Don’t you see that?” he asked. “If you’re there, I’ll think of nothing else beyond your safety. I can’t…”

Lose me.

Yes, that I understood all too well.

I glared up at him, letting him see all the anger that stormed my soul in that instant. And I shoved at his chest, as hard and fast as I could. He actually budged an inch, startled by my sudden attack.

“Valor—”

I threw a right hook toward his face, and he caught my fist an inch before it made impact. His hand covered my entire fist, and he arched an eyebrow at me. “Lass?”

Using what Olivia taught me, I dropped my weight, snapping a leg out and sliding it beneath his booted feet. He didn’t have time to think or react. His back hit the floor, and before he could blink, I leaped atop him, my knees pinning either of his hips.

My fingers lashed out, gently squeezing his throat as he stared up at me with wide eyes. “I just took down a highlander general,” I said, my heart beating furiously within my chest. “Is that proof enough that I can run with your Order?”

Hardness swelled beneath me, and I trembled on top of him. He leaned up, slowly, inching until we were chest to chest, face to face. My breaths came faster as he held my gaze, a challenge and a plea.

I saw it all there—he knew how strong I was, how smart, and how invested I was in getting Daphne out safely. But it didn’t matter. Because I was his, and he would do anything to protect me.

Goes both ways, I thought. Lachlan tilted his head, studying my gaze just a bit too intently—

I slanted my mouth over his. No soft preamble, no teasing flicks of my tongue. I crushed my lips on his, plunging my tongue inside his mouth to claim it as he had done to me so many times.

Instantly, his arms encased me, held me to him tight enough that I couldn’t breathe without brushing against his hard body. I rocked my hips, seeking out that delicious hardness that pressed between my thighs.

“Lachlan,” I practically whined his name between our kiss. The highlander had always driven me crazy, but now? Knowing what I knew? He was impossible.

He was perfection.

He was my undoing.

I tore my mouth from his, tangling my fingers in his hair. I jerked his head back, exposing his neck, and set my mouth against his skin. I nipped at his neck, and he groaned, thrusting his hips upward. I moaned at the feel of him, but quickly jumped back, rising to my feet.

He looked up at me, curiosity and challenge in his eyes.

I gave him a come hither motion.

Two heartbeats, and he was before me. I fisted the hem of his shirt, hauling it up and over his head before tossing it across the room. I kissed his muscled chest, trailing my tongue over the beautiful tattoos covering his skin, all while unbuttoning his leather pants. He finished taking them off, tossing them over his shoulder to join his shirt. My mouth watered at the sight of his cock springing free—hard and long and enough to fill me, consume me, claim me.

All of which I wanted right that second.

Enough to make me forget everything that was about to happen.

Enough to make me forget what I’d hidden under the bed minutes before he came to his room.