torn and my hair was blown every which way.”
“’Twas not clothes or hair styles that attracted me.” He moved the towel down her back and over the curve of her buttock. Her skin was smoother than cream.
“Then what was it?” She asked the question almost fretfully.
He grinned. “It was your spirit. Not many lasses would have attempted to geld me.” He referred to her whacking him with the stick.
Hot color flooded her face. In the haven of his arms, her gaze dropped to his chest. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Yes you did, but the damage wasn’t permanent, as you will soon find out.” He tossed the towel aside. It landed in the tub and he couldn’t care less. He lifted her up in his arms, wrapping those lovely long legs around his waist, her breasts against his chest.
She looked up in confusion, her mouth opening, and he silenced any questions with a kiss. A kiss that let her know he was done with talking. A kiss that would seduce.
Instead, he soon discovered himself being seduced.
She was an innocent, new to the art of kissing. She started to pull back. He wouldn’t let her. He held her as one would a child, an arm under her buttocks, a hand on her back to press her close, while he claimed her mouth, begging, pleading, schooling her into what he liked.
And she kissed back, a willing pupil. He broke off the kiss, but her lips chased his. Her arms came around his neck and she took the kiss deeper still.
He stroked her with his tongue.
A low, happy laugh escaped her. They stared at each other, nose-to-nose and almost cross-eyed.
He nipped the tip of her nose and slid her body down a notch until she could feel the strength of his arousal against the most intimate part of her. Nothing separated them but the leather of his breeches. He could feel her heat.
For a second, her eyes widened and he watched, fascinated, as understanding dawned in them. He smiled. “I’m going to have you, Anne Black. I’m going to carry to that bed and make a woman of you. My woman.”
She bowed her head. He thought she was laughing, but a tear landed on his chest.
Stunned, Aidan said, “Anne, is something wrong? What have I done?” She tried to duck her head to avoid his scrutiny, but he’d none of it. “Anne, what is the matter?”
“You’ve done nothing.” She raised her head to look at him. Her nose was turning a little pink and her eyes were shiny with huge tears. “I’m just happy. That’s all. I’m a goose, aren’t I?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down on the sable throw. “You are beautiful,” he whispered, pulling his shirt off over his head. He threw it aside and with a leap landed on the bed beside her. The bed ropes bounced, rolling her against him. He caught and held her fast.
Her eyes were sparkling now with joyful laughter. It transformed her into a seductive creature. If she was like this from only a few kisses, what would she be like when he’d buried himself deep within her?
He knew without saying it was going to be good between them. They had been destined for this moment.
Almost reverently, he cupped her breast. Dear God, he wanted to inhale her. To taste and touch every inch of her—
A knock sounded on the door. Anne scrambled to cover her nakedness, but Aidan wouldn’t have any of it. He caught her wrist. “Whoever it is can go to the devil. We’ve got other things to do.” He pressed her back against the bed.
Someone knocked again. “Laird? It’s Davey. Hugh sent me.”
Mere inches from her parted lips, her body warm and pliant beneath his, Aidan froze. “Davey?”
The Danes had come. It was starting.
“Laird, they—”
“I’ll be right there, Davey,” Aidan said, cutting him off. It would not be good to say anything in front of Anne.
“What is it?” she whispered.
He sat up with a groan. The Danes’ timing couldn’t be worse.
“Are you all right?” she asked anxiously.
He looked at her. She’d pulled the sable up to hide nakedness, but her hair was tumbled and messy, her lips rosy and a little swollen from his kiss—and he wanted nothing more than to give her a quick one. But he couldn’t. This would be her first time and it must be done right.
He’d have to wait.
He prayed his errant body could.
“I’ll manage.” He tore