Highland Deception (Highland Pride) by Lori Ann Bailey Read Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t sure he would be able to resist those blue eyes and the full lips that had so eagerly parted to let him in. There was only so much temptation he could resist. Maggie had to go before he made more mistakes he would regret. Currently, she was untouched and her family could make a good match for her, but he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her for long. The faster she was sent home, the sooner he would come back to his senses.
    She must be a spy of some sort. Why else would she have appeared when she did, to save them and gain the confidence of him and his men? And she had shown an unusual interest in Robbie. If she were one of Conall’s spies, the boy could be in danger.
    Once she had fallen asleep, he had checked her bag for weapons and not found anything inside that appeared dangerous. But poison was a woman’s weapon, and he didn’t have the knowledge to analyze all the herbs and small bottles of liquid she had tucked away. He would have to watch her closely when she mixed up whatever concoctions she was making.
    Shaking his head, he knew he couldn’t fault the men for the appreciative glances aimed her way when she returned to the clearing. Her midnight-colored hair was down, still wet and clinging to her as she swayed seductively into their midst. Her shirt was slick with water from her swim and hugged her body, showing off her curves. He had held those curves in his hands and wanted to again, but she might be the enemy. Every eye was on her, but she didn’t notice, because she fixated on him. His groin tightened at the thought, but he quickly squashed down the lust.
    Mouths watering, his men gaped. Judging from their reaction to her, there was not a chance in hell he could keep them away if he didn’t secure her by his side. His fists clenched and urged him to knock sense into them. Although Lachlan was hesitant to be near this bonny but dishonest female, if he did not keep her close, one of his men would take her and might spill all the clan’s secrets—something he could not allow, given the letter in his possession. Spy or not, she was his.
    No one else would lay their hands on the pale flesh he could still feel under his fingertips. Still tasting her on his tongue, honey and innocence, he growled as his men continued to ogle her. Damn, why did she have to be so comely?
    Maggie looked at him with penetrating sapphire eyes that beckoned him to touch and taste her. They seared him and heated his blood. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she wanted him, that she was skilled in the art of seduction. That couldn’t be true. The way she trembled in his arms spoke of someone terrified of being in a vulnerable position with another. She had returned his kiss in the water, but it was unskilled, leading him to believe she had never been kissed before.
    Spy or innocent, he was guided by his values and honor to protect her until she could be returned safely. Especially after his rough treatment of her—faint bruises marked her neck where he had nearly… God, he did not want to think about what he had nearly done to her.
    A male form swaggered toward her, and Lachlan’s shoulders tensed. As Finlay, the shyest man of his group, blushed and drooled over Maggie when he held out a trencher filled with cheese and bread, Lachlan found his own breathing deepen and his chest tighter. She accepted the proffered plate and smiled at his cousin. Her eyes lit, and Finlay reached out to pat her arm as Lachlan ground his teeth. Bashful or no’, the man would be one of the group he sent to find her clan.
    Next to saunter up to her was his brother, then the rest. Suddenly she had an audience. The only ones who stayed away were Alan, Robbie, and Seamus, the lone married man in the bunch. They all still watched her, though.
    “Enough,” he called. The startled men took a step back and riveted their gazes on him, while Malcolm studied him, perplexed.
    What had the wench done to him? He’d never before lost