Page 36 of Laird of Smoke
She’d just been so damned irresistible.
And once he’d removed that ridiculous mule-hair beard, he hadn’t been able to keep from leaning in toward her delicate chin, silky cheek, and yielding lips.
He hadn’t expected to have such a strong reaction.
It wasn’t as if he was inexperienced when it came to kissing.After all, he was a Rivenloch.Though his need for anonymity meant he tended to distance himself from others, sometimes he did exist as Sir Adam la Nuit.And as an unmarried warrior from a respected clan, he attracted a certain amount of female attention.Most of it from unclaimed lasses drooling over the wealth and status that would accompany marriage to a knight of Rivenloch.
He’d done his share of flirting and fondling.He’d swived more than a few maids in the course of his journey to manhood.
Still, he’d never had his blood simmer so quickly.Never been left so breathless with desire.Never had his body rouse so hastily to the point of near pain.
Most critically, he’d never had his mind emptied so completely of rational thought.
It was irresponsible.Perilous.Life-threatening.
Adam had to refocus his brain.
The lady needed to get out of her monk’s attire.And it would be best if he did as well.
“Perhaps ye should change back to yourself,” he suggested.
“Myself?”
“Lady Aillenn?”
“Oh.Aye.”
She headed for the copse of trees where her satchel was stashed.
Meanwhile, Adam dug through his things.He supposed he could dress as the lady’s noble father.Or her servant.Or an elderly lady’s maid.
None of them appealed to him.What he truly desired was to be himself.To let Lady Aillenn know he was her peer.To reveal to her the real man behind the disguise.
But it was too much of a risk.People knew Adam la Nuit.For him to be seen traveling alone with a lady would set tongues to wagging.Which would be bad for both of them.
Perhaps he would come up with a new character.
He was already dressed in his white leine and dark blue surcoat, his velvet cap and fine leather boots, when she emerged in her scarlet gown.
“Ye look…” she said, stopping abruptly and searching for the right word as she perused him from head to toe with obvious approval.“Suitable.”
Her attraction pleased him.
“And who are ye now?”she asked.
He felt much better about kissing her, now that she looked like a woman and not a monk.
“I’m Ronan Bhallach.”
“Bhallach?”she squeaked.“My…my…husband?”
“Your brother,” he said, though now that he thought about it, husbanddidsound better.
“Ah, o’ course.”
Was it relief or regret he saw in her face?It didn’t matter.They needed to put distance between themselves and the priory.
“We should probably travelawayfrom Saint Andrews.”
