Highland Hero by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online Page A

into his arms willingly.

Chapter 6
    “I have spent most of the evening speaking of old battles,” Lucais murmured as he moved the table out of the way and sat down on the sheepskin rug by the fireplace. “Come, our bellies are full and ’tis time to take our ease.” He patted the rug by his side. “Now ’tis your turn to tell me of your adventures.”
    Edina eyed the spot where he wanted her to sit. The unease she had felt when he had first tugged her into his room had been lulled by conversation and good food, but now it returned in force. There was a warmth in his gray eyes that told her talk was not all he wanted from her. The moment she sat down beside him she was silently offering him the opportunity to gain what he really sought.
    She glanced at the door and thought about leaving, claiming a need to seek her own bed and a good night’s sleep. It almost made her smile when she realized that she could not do it, she could not retreat again. He offered no more than passion, but she ached for it. Soon Simon would be defeated and there would be no reason for her to linger at Dunmor. She would return to Glenfair and all its coldness. Here was a beautiful man offering her warmth, no matter how fleeting, and Edina decided she wanted some. Even if it were for only one night, she wanted to be held in his arms, to taste the fullness of the passion promised in his kisses. She also wanted love, marriage, and babies, but had little hope of being offered that. Edina knew that if she tried to gain it all, she would end up with nothing, not even a sweet memory. Inwardly taking a deep breath to steady herself, she sat down beside him.
    “I fear I have no great adventures to tell ye about,” she said, silently cursing the tremor in her voice that revealed her nervousness and desire.
    “Have ye led such a calm, peaceful life, then?” Lucais reached out to undo the strip of deer hide she had tied her hair back with, smiling gently at her when her eyes widened.
    “Aye.” She swallowed hard when he began to comb his fingers through her hair, plainly enjoying the feel of it. “The most exciting thing I have e’er done is a wee bit of poaching, but I have ne’er been caught at it.”
    “That is what ye were doing when we found you.” He refilled her goblet and draped his arm around her shoulders, lightly tugging her closer.
    “Aye. My uncle’s lands are verra small, and sometimes there isnae any game to be found on them.”
    “Ye will get yourself hanged.”
    “Aye, I have feared that at times, but then the fear passes and I do it again.”
    “Weel, try to cling to the fear a little harder in the future. Hanging is the gentlest of punishments visited upon poachers, and I dinnae think your beauty and sex will save ye. Not every time anyway.”
    She nodded and shivered when he touched a kiss to the hollow by her ear. Her heart was pounding so hard and fast, she wondered that he did not hear it. Fear and anticipation raced through her veins alongside her increasing desire. Edina almost smiled when she realized that now that she had made her decision to be his lover, she was a little annoyed that he was moving so slowly. She lifted her gaze to his, saw the warm, steady way he was watching her, and briefly feared that he could read her thoughts.
    “Lass, I fear I dinnae have the wits left to keep on talking, and ye arenae helping to keep the conversation alive.”
    “I think my wits are a wee bit scattered just now as weel,” she whispered, her breathing growing heavy as he inched his mouth closer to hers.
    Lucais threaded his fingers through her hair on either side of her head and looked deep into her eyes. He could read a desire in their clear depths that he was sure matched his. As he brushed his lips across hers and felt her tremble, he decided the game of seduction had grown very tiresome.
    “Ye ken what I seek, dinnae ye, dearling?” he asked in a soft voice as he covered her upturned face with soft, warm kisses.