Page 28 of Captured By the Highland Devil
“We’re enemies.” Paige stated plainly.
“I am yer husband,” he said. “I cannae be yer enemy.”
“The vows—” She shook her head and spoke crossly. “Do ye nae think they were all lies? Nay future exists, nae for any of us.”
He crouched before her and forced her to meet his eyes. “I ken I am nae the man ye wanted to marry. I am nae that fabled prince with the heart of gold and unsullied hands.
“Yer hands are surely nae pure,” she said.
“We still have a duty to perform,” he said. “And as much as ye hate me, I daenae think that is a deterrent.”
Her look was flat, “Ye’re nae much of a seducer.”
“Ye think I’d take a woman to bed if I dinnae find her genuinely attractive?” He shook his head. “Lass, I’m nae that much of a gentleman. The first thing ye need to ken about desire is that it’s a base instinct, an appetite, if ye will. If ye feed it, it’ll grow.”
“If that is yer version of seduction, I shudder at what ye’d use for flattery.” Paige shook her head.
He cocked his head. “What?”
Her next words emerged as mere whispers. “Some of the men would said I am overly… plump for their tastes.”
Ruben’s face morphed into one of disbelief. “Ye? Overly plump? What in God’s blood does that mean?”
Paige turned her face away, “They say I am too… rich in the blood for them.”
“Lass, whoever thought ye are overly plump is a dobberin’ eejit,” he said.
“Ye daenae have to lie,” Paige shot him a look. “I ken I am nae what most people desire.”
Shaking his head, Ruben said. “Ye’re perfectly fine lass. And if ye daenae believe me, I can prove it to ye.”
Her head snapped in shock and when his meaning sunk in, her cheeks went red in mortification. She turned her head to the window and swallowed tightly. “It’s nae amusin’,” she muttered.
“It is to me,” he said.
Paige shook her head and stood, “I daenae think I can—can do that— with someone I daenae take kindly to,” she said.
“Ye daenae despise me to the depths of yer soul anymore?” he asked.
She blushed. “I’m nae sayin’ that. But I cannae forgive ye for the war.”
“I cannae change what happened in the past.” Ruben sobered, eyes narrowing. “But lass, ye daenae ken much about the war, so ye should shut yer mouth on that.”
She looked over her shoulder, “Or what?”
“Or I will shut it for ye,” he said.
Ruben pulled Paige’s face into both palms and as his mouth came crashing down on hers, all rational thought scattered to the four winds.
Ruben felt the beast in him come out. Just like a predator hunting its prey, the more Paige challenged him the more hewanted to devour her. All he knew was he had to kiss Paige's sweet lips. The more she challenged, the more the hunter within came to the fore.
His spine snapped straight at the thought she would reject him but the moment his lips touched hers, Ruben felt something… shift. He had been with women before, but none of them compared to this sweet, innocent woman he was holding.
From Paige's tentative response, he felt how innocent she was, and yet he sensed a dormant passion within her. If only he could pull it forward. He coaxed her lips apart so he could taste her with his tongue, gently encouraging her, guiding her until he felt her response.
Ruben's hands explored her luscious body, surprised by the abundant breasts and curvaceous bottom concealed by her attire. Her body was sumptuous, and he was tempted to carry her right to his bed.
As he deepened the kiss, he heard Paige moan. He knew she was just as affected by their embrace. He felt her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as Paige moved to deepen the kiss.
