The Legend of a Rogue - Darcy Burke Page 0,22

him remain safe from capture.”

He grinned, his eyes lighting with admiration. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

Elspeth felt inordinately flattered. “Thank you.”

“You are an excellent partner,” he said softly, taking her hand. Anticipation curled through her.

“I do want to help you find Lann Dhearg, and not just because I want the story.”

“I know that.” He lifted her hand to his chest, his fingers stroking and tangling with hers. His gaze drifted toward the window, and the crease between his brows returned. “The sun has come out again.”

Elspeth couldn’t tear her eyes from his. “The snow stopped?”

“Sadly.”

“Sadly?”

“I admit I was looking forward to having to spend at least one more night—in addition to tonight—here. With you.”

The sensation she felt was far more than flattery. “Were you?” The question was quiet but daring, almost breathless.

“Mmm, yes.” He lifted his other hand and caressed her temple, her cheek, her jaw.

Elspeth nearly closed her eyes. His touch stirred a pulse deep within her, a desire she’d never known. She swayed toward him so that their hands were trapped between their chests. “You probably shouldn’t kiss me again.”

“Why not?” His thumb stroked her lower lip.

She sucked in a breath and nearly brought the digit into her mouth. She was an utter wanton. “You’re a—” She fought to retain her control lest she throw all the caution she had out the window to her right. “You’re a lord.”

His eyes narrowed, and the tone of his voice changed. “Do you think I would take advantage? That I would expect—”

Elspeth took her hand from between them and put her fingertips on his mouth. She shook her head. “No, I don’t think that. I meant that we are from different backgrounds. While I enjoy kissing you—very much—we probably should not.”

A slow smile curled across his mouth. “You enjoy kissing me?”

She nodded, her heart clenching at how handsome he was when he smiled.

“Your background is immaterial.” He grimaced. “I don’t mean that it’s not important. I mean that my being a lord is…” He exhaled. “I am utterly botching this. Let me start again.” He cupped the side of her head. “Any difference of background between us is of no consequence to me. If you’re wondering whether a lord might consider a future with you, the answer is that this lord absolutely would.”

“Oh.” Joy bubbled up inside her. She couldn’t stop herself from smiling rather giddily.

“As to whether we should kiss, I suppose you have a point. It’s bad enough that you’re up here in my room alone with—”

Elspeth curled her hands around his neck and pulled his head down to kiss him. The moment his mouth met hers, her body seemed to melt. She fell against him, and he caught her, sweeping his hands to her back and holding her tightly. Their lips molded together, sealing in a delicious kiss that burned through her.

Strangely, she thought of who he really was—not a lord, but the descendant of a legendary king, a man about whom stories had been told for over a millennium. To someone like her, the realization was almost heady, as if she herself had stepped into a legend.

Or perhaps she was merely kissing one.

Elspeth was more than aware that they were alone in his chamber, where there was a bed. She was not so innocent that she’d never been kissed before, that she didn’t know what went on in a bed. She’d just never met anyone who’d made her want to experience it for herself.

Heat and desire seared through her as he deepened their kisses. Despite the clothing between them, she felt the hard planes of his body, and the hard bulge of his sex pressed to her. An ache began in her core and spread up her abdomen, swelling her breasts. Then, almost as if conjured by her thoughts, his hand moved under her arm and cupped her breast through her clothes.

She gasped as he took his lips from hers and kissed along her jaw. The bliss of his mouth against her flesh pushed her to cast her head back so he could have his fill of her if he wanted. She desperately hoped he wanted.

“Elspeth,” he whispered against her, his tongue swirling over her earlobe and then lower along her neck. All the while, his hand cupped and caressed her breast. How she longed to feel his flesh bare against her. Wanton was perhaps not a strong enough word to describe her behavior, but she didn’t care. She wanted this. She wanted him.

“We should stop,” he murmured