Page 33 of Bound to a Scot
“Bleedin’ hell,” he muttered softly.
Emmeline stood in the hot spring before him, naked as the day she was born. She stood waist deep in the steaming, bubbling water, her round, full breasts completely exposed. They both stood still as statues, neither of them speaking or moving. Maddox wasn’t even sure he was breathing in the moment as he gazed at her soft, alabaster-colored skin, feeling his arousal growing. She was the most beautiful, most perfect creature he’d ever seen.
A shrill shriek burst from Emmeline’s mouth as she wrapped her arms around her chest protectively, shattering the stillness of the forest.
“What in the bleedin’ hell dae ye think ye’re doin’?” she screeched.
“I’m sorry. I was just out fer a walk?—”
“Turn around! Dinnae stand there gapin’ at me.”
Memories of her supple skin and full breasts still flashing through his mind, Maddox gave his head a shake, pulling himself back to the moment. He quickly spun around, facing away from her but couldn’t keep from seeing her body in hismind’s eye. Maddox listened as she splashed in the water then heard her step out of the pool followed by the rustle of cloth.
“Ye can turn around now,” she said.
Maddox did, slightly disappointed to find her wearing a thick cloak over her shift. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. Her cheeks were flushed, and embarrassment was etched into her features.
“I truly am sorry. I didnae mean tae… tae see ye like that,” he said quickly.
“What are ye doin’ out here?”
“I came out fer some air,” he said. “I just needed tae get away from Adair fer a bit.”
Her features softened and the light of anger faded slightly, though her mortification remained. Maddox shifted on his feet and pulled his own cloak around himself a little tighter, trying to hide his arousal. The whole situation was embarrassing enough for both of them without having her see that.
“Ye shouldnae be out here alone,” he said. “The woods can be a dangerous place.”
She sat down on a flat stone and pulled on a pair of boots. As she did, she picked up a sheathed dagger and showed it to him.
“I can protect meself,” she said. “Besides, I’ve been out here a thousand times and never had an unexpected run in with anybody. Nae until now.”
Maddox chuckled softly. “Apologies, Emmeline. I truly didnae mean tae stumble on tae ye like that. I just heard the water and saw the steam. Then I heard the singin’ and was curious.”
She pursed her lips and studied him for a moment, then turned away, the last vestiges of the anger in her expression fading.
“I dinnae suppose ye could have expected tae find me out here. I suppose ‘twas me fault as much as yers,” she said.
Trying to banish the image of her soft, supple body from his mind, Maddox turned his gaze to the hot spring, watching the steam curling off the surface and drifting up toward the heavens.
“The water looks nice,” he said.
“I prefer bathin’ out here than in the tub in me chambers,” she said. “The water is warmer and I have more privacy. Usually.”
She said the last with a small grin, telling Maddox she was teasing and now that the moment of shock had faded, she could see the humor in it. At least a little bit. But the quiet tension still hung in the air between them, making Maddox think she was still upset about what had happened earlier that day. And as Adair’s words echoed through his mind, he knew he could not blame her for it.
“Emmeline, I’m very sorry fer what happened with Lorn earlier,” he said. “I was out of line. I took things too far.”
She seemed to think on his words for a moment before nodding. “Thank ye fer sayin’ that.”
“Is he all right?”
“He’s fine. Stubborn mule of a man,” she replied with a laugh. “I will say, ye impressed him with yer skill. He admitted ye got the best of him.”
“He did, eh?”
“He did.”
That was an unexpected bit of news. But he was glad the man did not seem to be holding on to any bad blood over what happened. It didn’t do much to alleviate Maddox’s jealousy, as confounding as it was, but he was glad they would probably not be openly feuding. That would make an already awkward situation even more awkward and strained. He was glad if they could avoid that and let him deal with his petty jealousy on his own.
