Page 5 of Bound to a Scot
“Sure. Let’s play.”
He eyed her for a moment. “What say we make this interestin’?”
“What dae ye have in mind?”
“How about, if ye take one of me pieces, I give ye a kiss,” he said. “And if I take one of yers, ye give me a kiss?”
She laughed. If it had been any other man, she would have smacked him hard enough to knock his teeth loose. She didn’t tolerate that sort of thing. But there was something about the man across from her that intrigued and excited, rather than annoyed her.
“’Tis bold of ye tae ask such a thing,” she said.
“What can I say? I’m a bold man.”
“Too bold by half.”
“Is that so?”
“Aye.”
“Are ye scared of losin’, lass?”
“I could beat the likes of ye with me eyes closed.”
“Aye?”
“Aye.”
“Let’s see ye dae it then.”
“All right,” she said. “Ye’re on. I’ll even let ye go first.”
The air between them crackled with an energy she’d never felt before. The hair on her arms stood on end, her skin tingled wildly, and her belly churned like she was still on the ship that had brought her back to Colonsay. Emmeline knew she was being reckless, that it was crazy and that she should have stood up and walked away. But she’d never properly flirted with a man before, nor had she been flirted with. Never in her life, although she was certain that was what was happening. And she couldn’t say she hated it.
The man made his opening move, and Emmeline gave herself a shake. She needed to get her head into the game. Emmeline countered his move. They went through several more and without speaking a word. He was good, she had to admit that, but she saw several weaknesses in his game and openings she would exploit. She moved her bishop and as she pulled her hand away and watched the smile stretch across his full lips, she realized that she’d just walked into his trap. He moved his knight and took her piece off the board.
“Looks like ye owe me a kiss,” he said, waving her piece at her.
“Ye werenae serious about that?—”
“Are ye tryin’ tae welch on yer bet? Come on now, ye owe me a kiss.”
“I’m nae a welch.”
“Then get over here and give me a kiss, lass.”
Emmeline laughed but felt her heart beat so hard inside of her, she feared it was going to leave bruises. She got up on legs that were quaking enough that she was afraid they were going to give out beneath her. But she walked to the other side of the table and bent down to give him a kiss on the cheek. At the last minute though, the man turned his head and pulled her to him. Their mouths crashed together, and his tongue slipped past her teeth, swirling languidly around hers.
The kiss set fire to her from the inside and her legs shook even harder. The man put a hand on her hip to keep her from falling. The kiss seemed to stop time all around her. It seemed to go on forever and she never wanted it to end. The man slid his hand from her hip, up her side, and cupped her breast, giving it a gentle but firm squeeze that sent tendrils of lightning arcing across her body.
Slowly, the man pulled back, his eyes locked onto hers, giving her a smile. Emmeline put her hand to her mouth, tracing her lips with her fingertips. They felt like they were still aflame, as did her body where he’d touched her. She desperately wanted more. But the surrealness of the moment faded as she stood up and reality crashed down on Emmeline.
“Me God. What have I done?” she whispered.
“Nae much. Nae yet,” the man purred. “We can change that though.”
Emmeline had never done something so reckless before. Something so irresponsible. And her stomach lurched once more, though not with excitement this time.
“I’m a married woman,” she gasped.
