Page 75 of Never a Duchess
Her head snapped in his direction. “Did you speak to him?”
“Aye, when he joined me in the garden and prised his sleeping son from my arms. I always planned to tell ye what was said.” He just didn’t know how. Doubtless that made him a hypocrite.
She pushed out of the seat. “Did you change your mind? Did you tell him you’d marry me if I found myself ruined?” Her inscrutable expression had his pulse beating hard in his throat.
“Ye must understand. ’Twas the only way to pacify him.”
“You’d cast aside your principles just to spend a few hours with me?” She stepped away from the table, edging closer to the door—the distance between them growing. A few more steps, and he feared she would be out of his life for good. “You said you’d only marry a woman who wants you.”
“Did ye nae just confess to wanting me?” He stood, ready to follow her to the ends of the earth if necessary. “Tell me ye’re nae leaving.”
Time stopped for a few seconds.
Then the minx grinned. “Why would I leave? You promised me an evening of Scottish revelry.” Desire glowed in her eyes, as hot as the fire’s embers. “You said I would feast on a Highlander tonight.”
Relief left him weak at the knees, almost giddy.
“Feastona Highlander? Nae with a Highlander?”
“That’s up to you, Callan Maclean. But if you want me, you’ll have to catch me.” Lifting her skirts to her knees, she darted out of the room and bolted towards the stairs.
Callan chased her, the sight of her bare calves turning his blood to liquid fire. “Madam, ye’re about to be so full with this Scot, ye’ll have nae need to dine for a week.”
A squeal escaped her when she glanced over her shoulder and noticed he’d gained some ground. “It’s about time you delivered on your promises.”
Callan followed her into his bedchamber, but she came to a crashing halt before the fire, her breathless pants like a potent aphrodisiac.
“There’s nowhere to go, love.”
“I’m exactly where I want to be.” With a trembling hand, she gestured to the dying embers. “You said it was always hot in a Highlander’s castle. You vowed I would never suffer the cold.”
“Ye’ll be hot when writhing beneath me.” Hungry for this woman, he dragged the back of his hand across his mouth, took a tentative step forward. “I plan to satisfy ye in more ways than one.”
A whimper of excitement escaped her.
Now he had battled his conscience, he planned to drive into her so damn hard it would be worth the five-year wait.
Once would not be enough.
The need to make love to her, to pleasure her senseless, to slake every insatiable need had his cock rising to the challenge.
“I am a woman who craves adventure.”
“And the best adventures happen when there’s nae need to step beyond the front door. Let me touch ye, Lillian. I’ll transport ye to a place ye could never reach on foot.”
“Are you not going to feign a gruff voice and call me lass?”
“I’ll play any damn game ye like.” He dragged his shirt over his head and cast it aside.
She stared at his bare chest, gawping at every firm muscle. “I’ve heard the mountains north of the border are spectacular, but I’d rather gaze upon your fine physique, Dounreay.”
And he’d likely spill himself the moment he saw her luscious curves. “Before I remove my kilt, tell me what ye want.”
“I want an unforgettable memory, and I want it with you.”
“Only one?”
She shrugged. “I know a lady shouldn’t say such things. But if your kisses are any indication, I imagine I’ll ache for you at night. Suspect I’ll want you with shocking frequency.”
