A Lass to Love (Brides of Scotland #1) - Tammy Andresen Page 0,7
hold her elbow. “Why are you leaving? I’ve said something wrong, haven’t I?”
She shook her head. “No. Nothing wrong at all.” Which was the truth. He’d been honest and she appreciated that. When she’d touched his hand earlier, her heart had tugged. She needed the reminder that this was not the sort of man with whom she should trifle.
“Because I’m enjoying our conversation.” He gently pulled her back toward him. “You’re different from so many women I meet and I didn’t expect that.”
“Thank ye.” She dug in her heels so that she didn’t move any closer. “I’m also enjoying our conversation but the fact remains I have a fiancé that I need to sort out and ye only complicate—” But then she stopped. Because in that one sentence she was revealing her interest in him.
And he knew it. He gave her a lopsided smile that made her stomach flip about in the funniest way.
“I’m glad to know that I’ve complicated your thoughts.”
“I don’t see why.” She shook her head. “I’m engaged and ye are a confirmed bachelor.”
He drew her closer again and this time, she couldn’t resist. “Because a man likes to know that a beautiful woman finds him attractive.”
Her breath caught. “Ye think I’m beautiful?”
“Very.” He closed the distance between them. “I can’t remember when I met a woman who was lovelier than yourself.”
Heat bloomed in her cheeks as her chest rose and fell as though she’d attempted to run. “That’s very kind…”
“I’m not being kind,” his breath whispered over her heated skin making it shiver despite how warm she’d grown. He slid his hand from her elbow up her arm. “You, Fiona, are stunning and kind and the sort of woman a man longs to—”
He stopped and air caught in her throat. What would he say? Surely not settle down with. They’d already established that. What was left?
The heat in her cheeks turned to ice in a moment. He was going to say something about passion or desire. Which was exactly what she didn’t need.
Jerking away, she fisted her hands in her skirt. “Don’t finish that thought.” Then she spun and fled before he could say anything at all. Whatever he’d been about to murmur, Fiona was certain she didn’t want to hear it.
Damn. Tom swore softly under his breath as he watched her flee. Raking his fingers through his hair, he tried to calm his racing pulse. Fiona set him on fire.
She was right, of course. The two of them should not be engaging in such behavior. And what had started as a sweet, caring conversation had quickly sizzled with passion, thanks to him.
Not that she didn’t feel the same. Tom had enough experience to know when a woman wanted him and Fiona most certainly did. She’d hardly been able to catch her breath and her bosom had been heaving to take in air. He loved that.
Her skin had warmed, her breath had quickened, even her pupils had grown larger with his touch.
His muscles tightened, and he wanted to chase after her. Honestly, he was a wild animal and she triggered his need to hunt. He’d like to stalk his prey, catch her unaware, trap her against himself and then… He laughed, realizing his next thought was far more like a kitten’s then a lion’s. He wanted to make love to her, yes, and then he wished to feel her gentle fingers touching him everywhere. Bloody hell. When was the last time he’d had such a domestic thought?
Colin reappeared on the deck and swiveled his head around. “Where’s Fiona?”
He pointed to her cabin. “She retired for the evening.”
“Without saying goodbye?” Colin’s hands rested on his hips. “That isn’t like her.”
“She’s unfailingly kind, I presume?” Tom crossed to his friend. “Does that frighten you? I know her fiancé, or at least, I know of him. He isn’t known for being the snuggliest of men.”
“She told ye about Exmouth?” Colin drew up, pulling his chin in as his eyes grew more narrowed and warier. “What did she say?”
He stopped, not wanting to say too much. Colin wouldn’t be happy if he knew parts of Tom’s exchange with Fiona. “That they’d never met. That she suspected he was a man who didn’t wish to be tamed.”
Colin scrubbed his face. “All true.” His gaze cast down at the deck. “She was supposed to marry Gavin Exmouth. A good, fine man. And when he died protecting his cousin, Callum, Callum inherited the title, the lands, and my cousin’s hand.”
Tom sucked in his