The Highlander's Forbidden Mistress - Anna Campbell Page 0,30
honesty.
Words escaped him as he swung her up into his arms and covered the distance to the bedroom in a few swift paces. He shouldered open the door and set Selina down in the center of the room.
Outside, the snow had set in, but here in this room, fire blazed in the hearth and blue velvet curtains enclosed them in cozy warmth. He stepped back. "Let me see you. You’ve no idea how often I’ve imagined you naked."
She cast him a knowing glance. "I can guess."
"The moment I saw you, so subdued and beautiful, you took over my every thought. You still do."
Pleasure softened her features, made her so lovely he couldn’t believe his good fortune in winning her. "And I saw you, so striking and tall and handsome – and wicked. I hated that I wasn’t the sort of woman who would ever attract your notice. Even though attracting your notice put my whole future at risk."
He felt a satisfied smile curve his lips. "Now you’re a rake’s mistress."
"And I’ve never been happier."
Unaccustomed emotion cracked his heart. She was such a superb woman. She ought to have the world at her feet. Yet her expectations for happiness were so humble.
Now wasn’t the moment to dwell on whether she deserved better than this week of self-indulgence. Passion beckoned too powerfully. He waved at that becoming arrangement of upswept curls.
"Take down your hair. I’ve dreamed of seeing your hair flowing about you." Detailed, sensual dreams where tresses of rich blonde draped across his bare skin like ropes of silk.
The softness lingered in her eyes, as she sidled closer to the dressing table. The mirror behind her offered him two views of her, tall and slim and lovely. With more of that grace that stole his breath, she raised her arms and began to slide the pins from her hair.
They’d rushed up here like children promised cake. Now Brock felt like they had all the time in the world. Selina must feel the same, because her movements were unhurried as she removed each pin and placed it on the dressing table.
A long lock unraveled over her shoulder, then another. The tresses uncoiled one by one, until a veil of hair covered her shoulders. His blood began to beat a pounding tattoo of need. He stepped back to lean against the bed, fumbling behind him to curl his fingers over the elaborately carved baseboard.
His hunger was devilish sweet. He’d wanted enough women in his life to know that this keen craving was a gift.
"Run your hands through it," he said in a harsh voice, as his gaze ate up the cascade of hair. It was long and thick, cloaking her to the waist. In the mirror, it rippled down her back, hinting at russet and gold and flaxen blonde.
Building need turned her eyes dark. The urge rose to grab her and rip off her clothes and slake himself in her. But stronger yet was the urge to linger on each moment. Later they’d have the chance for a fast coupling.
This first time she uncovered her body for him, he didn’t want his greedy impulses to rule. He wanted to treasure each moment like a pearl threaded onto a necklace. So when she left him, he kept this exquisite memory of every step in her surrender to take out and cherish.
As if under a spell, she obeyed. The flush on her skin and the erratic susurration of her breath told him that undoing her hair in front of him excited her, too. She lifted the heavy weight of hair and released it to drift about her.
Brock heaved a lengthy sigh born in appreciation and rising arousal. His hands clutched the baseboard as he battled not to step forward and snatch up handfuls of that silky glory.
"I want to see you naked," he said in a choked voice.
She surveyed him with eyes luminous with desire. "I’ve never been naked for a man before." Her voice was low and husky and made his skin tighten for want of her.
"Are you afraid?"
When she shook her head, that mass of hair shifted around her. "No."
"No?"
"Perhaps a little." A faint smile lengthened her lips. "But I’m glad that my first time is with you."
Painful emotion stabbed him. Only Selina had this power to slice through his physical yearning. She was so vulnerable. Yet she was powerful, too. Purity of heart made her the strongest woman he’d ever known. "Selina, you do me too much honor."