A Highlander's Heart: A Sexy Regency Romance (Highland Knights Book 1) by Jennifer Haymore Read Free Book Online

surged forward and crushed her lips to his. Startled, he began to pull back, but that only lasted a split second before he took over. With a low growl, he wrapped his arms around her and pushed her back against the tree trunk, kissing her with hard certainty, as if nothing in the world was more important than thoroughly plundering her mouth.
    She plundered back, wanting more, wrapping her arms around him and up his back until she clutched his epaulets, pulling him ever closer against her.
    It felt so
good
to be kissing him again, she moaned aloud. She’d never experienced anything more delicious than her husband’s mouth. It was so firm, so unyielding, but his lips were warm and soft, and his tongue was a wicked instrument of pleasure.
    He used that tongue now, touching it to her lips, then dipping inside her mouth. She shuddered, a sweet, erotic roll that pulsed from her toes to her ears.
    The kiss went on and on, and when Rob finally drew back, they were both panting. Claire shook with arousal, her skin prickling, her core warm and needy.
    Rob stared at her, his chest heaving. She stared back.
    Finally, he blinked and looked away, pushing rough fingers through his hair. Claire couldn’t be sure, but she thought his hand trembled. “Bloody hell.”
    If the tree trunk hadn’t already been pressing into her back, she would have reeled backward. Rob had always been careful never to curse in her presence.
    His eyes slid toward her as he ground his teeth. “Now it’ll be my turn to apologize. Forgive me.” He bit out the words.
    “For…cursing?”
    “Nay. For touching ye like a goddamn boor out in the open. Where people could see us. For forgetting you’re a lady.”
    “And you’re a gentleman.”
    He snorted. “Only on paper. Never in truth.”
    “I kissed you,” she said tightly. “I initiated it.”
    “I shouldna allowed it.”
    It was her turn to grind her teeth. “You’ve always treated me as if I’m made of glass. As if I’ll break if you don’t constantly remind yourself of how delicate I am.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You
are
delicate.”
    “Stop it. Just stop.” She reeled around to look out over the battlefield again, crossing her arms over her chest. “I walked through this place yesterday. I saw a scene of horror and destruction I never thought possible. I was up to my ankles in blood. And here I stand. I went through it to find you. Yet you say I am made of glass.” She huffed. “I didn’t wilt, or shrivel up and die, or shatter. I searched for
you
, while dead men stared at me and while I stepped on their stiffened limbs. I am
not
weak, Rob.”
    He eyed her warily, and he was right to do so. She’d proven herself to be weak a year ago when she’d fallen into a pit of despair. But that had been different. That had been a piece of her soul ripping out of her. She hadn’t had a choice. Anyone would be weak in that situation.
    Except Rob.
    The familiar bitterness welled inside her, but she battled it back. No. There would be none of that. She was putting it all behind her. She needed to be done with blame and anger.
    “I’m not weak,” she repeated in a rasping whisper. “I am here, and I am strong.”
    He bowed his head. “Aye. Perhaps you are.” He sounded weary. He was still injured, and probably in pain. “I didna want ye here, Claire. This is ugly business.”
    “That’s exactly why I wanted to be here. To share this burden with you. As your wife.”
    “You told me ye no longer had an interest in being my wife.”
    “Being your wife has never been easy,” she admitted, speaking carefully. “But is that not the case with all army wives? You were gone so much…and I missed you so much…and then when…” She faltered. She couldn’t talk about this with him. It was what had caused the nasty explosion last time. “I will always be your wife,” she finished awkwardly.
    “By law.”
    “And by choice,” she murmured.
    His eyes met hers and held them. She felt exposed,