Page 16 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
It was a look that plainly said,Dinnae mock what ye dinnae understand.
He slowly let her go and made to swing himself up on the horse, but Emma stopped him with a gentle hand. “I’m sorry.”
Laird Ronson huffed out a breath and mounted his horse, not looking back at her.
At first, Balfire’s pace was slow, skirting the woods, and then it quickened. Emma, who’d been holding onto her skirts, tried to continue to do so, but soon she had grabbed the back of the Laird’s shirt. He reached back at that point, and at first, Emma thought he meant to free himself from her grip.
But instead, he wound her arm around him, then reached for the other and patted her hands. Now, Emma was somehow pressed even closer to him than during the first ride. Pressure burned in her throat and between her legs—a pressure that sizzled with heat and tingles. Molten embarrassment filled her belly.
Still, she managed to convince herself that all was well—at least until the evening. She thought the Laird would stop again, perhaps find a tavern, but he did not.
Soon, the light was nearly gone. Without the light and landscape to distract her, all she could focus on was the Laird.
Emma thought she might know the contours of his back better than him. The lines of strong muscles, the strength of his spine, the breadth of his shoulders and the firmness of his sides, and the delicious, smoky scent of him, mixed with leather and horse.
An urge welled up inside her, to bury her face in his back, to sink her teeth into the spot where his shoulders met his neck, or to press a kiss behind his ear…
I am losing my mind.
Her face burned further. Could he feel it through his clothes? Heaven help her.She now could not stop noticing the feel of his body against her thighs and?—
“It is too dark, my Laird,” Emma blurted out. “Is it not? We should stop for the night. Another bandit might be after me. Or you. Are you not worried?”
The Laird did not react, and she felt the urge to bite him for another reason entirely.
“Sir—please, I fear that you do not realize the danger…” She trailed off as he twisted to look at her over his shoulder.
A dark and smoldering look flashed in his eyes, paired with gleaming white teeth that seemed to hover between a smile and a snarl.
I am the only thing that should be feared in these woods.
CHAPTER 7
Emma knewhe had not spoken, yet she knew that was what he said. A thrill rushed through her, and he lightly snapped his teeth at her, like a playful wolf, before he turned back and bent low over Balfire’s neck. The horse began to gallop faster, and a helpless squeak escaped Emma’s lips.
She thought the Laird might have laughed, but all she could hear was the whistling of the wind, and all she could feel was the big, dark world turning around them.
Then, they began to slow down, and the Laird heaved a long breath. At that, Emma slowly opened her eyes and straightened, her grip on him loosening ever so slightly.
They had come to a gorgeous cove, with a path winding down to it, and ahead, a ship dominated the horizon. Emma gasped, and her entire body tensed up.
No.She could’ve laughed at the irony, too, as they drew close.
Men came rushing forward, greeting their Laird and shooting her curious looks.
I was meant to get on a ship today,she mused as the wind played with her hair, and she met Ronson’s green gaze.Just not yours.
As much as Emma wanted to run, when Laird Ronson held out his hand to steer her toward the long gangplank that led to the deck, she took it. A flash of surprise crossed his face, but he merely squeezed her hand and then led her onboard. Behind them, Balfire walked up obediently, following the Laird like a great dog.
On board, Emma’s head swam, and the Laird left her after giving her a meaningful look and glancing around at his men.
There is nowhere for ye to run. Dinnae even think about it.
Emma looked out at the sea and felt a strong hand wrap around her throat.
Dive in, and I shall leap in after ye.
Then, he strode across the deck. His men seemed to know what he wanted and what to do without him even speaking.
