Page 42 of A Rogue to Watch Over Me
“I do not believe that is the case. But there’s really no alternative, is there? She needs to know that she’s in danger. And I need whatever information she is willing to offer.”
“Ye’ve no idea what ye’ll find there. God only knows who could be lying in wait. I’ll be damned if I will let ye rush in on your own.”
“I cannot imagine you would. After all, there is that mysterious debt you owe my brother.”
“This has nothing to do with a debt,” he said, the words as honest as any he’d ever spoken. “Ye should know by now that I would not leave ye to harm.”
Her eyes seemed to darken as she studied him. “I do believe you mean that, Mr. MacLain.”
“Logan,” he corrected.
“Very well... Logan. Since you will be putting yourself in harm’s way yet again, I suppose we might as well proceed to given names.”
“It’s about blasted time.”
He’d expected her to counter his statement, but she smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. “I do believe I am beginning to enjoy having a bodyguard.”
“Are ye now?”
“Oh, yes. If only the gossips could see me now, accompanied by a strapping Scotsman on a perilous quest. And at such a scandalous hour, no less.” A hint of a smile played on her soft features. “The only thing more intriguing than scandal is sin. Wouldn’t you agree?”
He cocked a brow. “I’d wager ye’d appreciate a taste of sin.”
Intrigue glimmered in her eyes. “Wickedness does possess a certain allure. But in my experience, it is rather overrated.”
He took her hand in his, drawing her closer. “I could convince ye a bit of wickedness is a delight to be savored.”
“You seem rather confident.”
His gaze was drawn to her like a moth to the flicker of a flame. “I’ve no doubt.”
“In due time, perhaps, you will leave me thoroughly... convinced.” Her words seemed a dare, a challenge he knew better than to accept.
Damned shame his good sense had flown out the window.
Before logic could overrule the hunger deep within him, he caught her in his arms. Holding her close, he could feel every rise and fall of her chest, sense every beat of her heart.
“Would that please ye, Amelia?”
Her mouth curved, a perfect temptation. “Yes.” The single word was uttered in a husky voice, a siren’s song he did not have the strength to resist.
A true madness filled him. Drinking in the heat in her sapphire eyes, he drew the pad of his finger over the curve of her face. “In my world, there is never a better time than the present.”
*
As if underhis spell, Amelia nestled against his long, lean body. His natural heat penetrated the layers of clothing which separated them. Gently, he framed her face in his hands. So warm. So strong. He regarded her with a sense of fascination. Ripples of awareness coursed through her, and she stilled. There’d be no harm in a simple kiss, would there?
It wasn’t as if she were an innocent. She could savor a mere taste of passion in his caress.
Nothing would come of it.
Yes, she could tell herself that.
His eyes thoughtful, he watched her, taking his cues from her. Holding back. Logan had sensed her hesitation. He had given her time to change course.
Not so very wicked, are you now, Mr. MacLain?
His hands slid lower, and she smiled to herself. He caressed the small of her back before his fingers settled at the flare of her hips. She let out a low, calming breath and allowed her fingertips to glide over the silk of his silver-gray waistcoat, taking in the flex of the powerful muscles in his shoulders.
