Free The Knights of Christmas by Suzanne Barclay

void in his soul, one he wasn’t even aware existed.
    â€œIt has been a long time since I danced.” He bowed and held out his hand. “But you’re a braw lassie.”
    â€œThat I am.” She took his hand and together they joined the couples spinning about the forest glade.
    Her head came only to his breastbone; her waist was so slender his hands met around it, yet she led and he followed. At first. The music stirred memories of earlier times, and he somehow knew just where to step, when to turn.
    â€œ Fie , sir,” Kara said, laughing up at him. “Your feet are as nimble as your tongue.”
    Duncan laughed. It felt so good, he did it again, drawing Kara closer. Her breasts brushed against his chest, intensifying the desire he’d tried to suppress. His blood heated to match the wild cadence of the pipes. He wanted to carry her off into the night, yet perversely, he wanted this moment never to end. Lifting her off her feet, he spun in a circle. Their eyes linked in silent communication. ’Twas like gazing into a golden mirror and seeing the other half of himself reflected there. Inside him, the knot of pain he’d borne since his mother’s death splintered. As it broke free, it loosed something sweet and wonderful. “Kara,” he whispered.
    â€œAye.” Her smile was welcome as the sun after a long, dark night, her laughter pure magic. She tossed her head, curtaining them in silky auburn hair, cutting off the rest of the world. “We belong together,” she murmured, arms twining about his neck.
    Duncan hesitated, honor warring with something more vital, more overwhelming. Love. He loved her as he’d never expected to love any woman. Now he knew how his parents had felt. Hungry. Desperate. Yet, oddly at peace. The realization that he would do anything to be with Kara was frightening yet wonderful. Aye, holding her in his arms, gazing deep into her fire-bright eyes and knowing she wanted him without reservation, without censure, made him feel ten feet tall. But...he was not free.
    Duty gnawed at the fabric of his happiness.
    â€œKara,” he began.
    She silenced him with a quick kiss. “Do not worry about tomorrow. Let us savor the time we have together.”
    He wanted to. “There are things I must tell you....”
    â€œYou will, and I will listen. But not tonight.” Her mouth closed over his again, but this time ’twas no fleeting thing. She kissed him with all the pent-up fury of a summer storm, unleashing the torrent that had raged inside him all evening.
    Groaning, Duncan molded their bodies together, hard to soft. His hands raced down her supple spine as he took the kiss deeper. With an answering moan, she arched into his embrace, straining to get even closer. Good. She felt so good, so right. The primitive need to make her his shuddered through him and left him shaking. “Kara,” he murmured, wrenching his mouth from the heaven of hers. “I want you so badly it’s tearing me apart.”
    â€œAnd I you.” She framed his face with her hands, her touch gentling the savagery of his desire. “But not here.” Tossing back her hair, she unveiled the firelit glade. Many other couples embraced under the guise of dancing, but a few knowing eyes and sly smiles were cast their way.
    Duncan lowered Kara to the ground and loosened his grip on her, though it nearly killed him. “I am sorry to shame you.”
    â€œI am not ashamed of loving you.”
    â€œBut...”
    â€œAh, there you are.” Fergus elbowed his way through the crowd, his expression bland.
    Duncan hoped the darkness hid his flushed face.
    â€œBlack Rolly and I are going back to the tower,” Fergus said. “We’ll leave you bairns to the dancing.”
    â€œWhat is wrong, Fergie?” Kara asked. Letting go of Duncan, she went to her uncle and tucked her arm through his.
    â€œNaught,” the old man said.
    She