Highland Temptation by Jennifer Haymore Read Free Book Online Page A

handed the boy a coin and asked him to bring up their luggage when he was done with the horses.
    “Aye, sir. Thank ye muchly, sir.”
    Sir Colin led her toward the door, bending to speak into her ear. “There was only one chamber available. And it has just the one bed. We’ll be sleeping in the same room tonight, I’m afraid.”
    The thought of sleeping in a strange place brought her as much panic as it had the night before. To know that Colin would once again be close to her—on the same bed—was a relief. And the anticipation of him lying beside her, perhaps touching her, made her stomach flutter with pleasure.
    Excitement bloomed in Emilia’s chest. She managed to tamp it down, though she couldn’t contain her smile. It came from somewhere deep inside her, stretching her mouth wide. Muscles in her mouth that had been long denied still worked, and it felt wonderful.

Chapter 6
    Sir Colin’s lips twisted. “I’ll sleep on the floor, of course.”
    “We slept in the same bed last night,” she reminded him as they stepped onto the landing. “It’ll be all right.”
    “Last night,” he said quietly, sounding like he was speaking from between his teeth, “we were surrounded by Highland Knights who’d gladly kill me to preserve your honor.”
    Her brows drew together as he opened the door, and they walked into the brightly lit entry hall.
    “I don’t think it makes one bit of difference,” she told him. She didn’t know how he might have responded to that, because the innkeeper appeared, clutching a long brass key. “Mrs. Montgomery?”
    She began to greet him, then remembered her new Scottish identity, closed her mouth, and nodded.
    “Welcome, ma’am. I’ll take you to your room.”
    She inclined her head.
    The man led them up a narrow staircase to a short landing that led to two closed doors on the right side and two closed doors on the left. He went to the far left door, slid the key into the lock, and opened it. “Here you are. No fireplace in this particular room, but there’s a good coal brazier near the bed. The missus’ll be bringing up your dinner, too, in a trice.”
    “I thank you, sir,” Sir Colin said politely.
    In a moment, the man was gone, and they were alone again. Sir Colin busied himself with lighting a lantern and the brazier, while Emilia removed her bonnet and pins and combed her fingers through her hair. The bonnet and the tight chignon at her nape had kept it somewhat subdued, but the edges that had been exposed all day to the elements were frizzed, and as the glow of the lantern blanketed the room, she glanced into the simple looking glass on the wall and sighed. She looked like a blond Medusa.
    Sir Colin came up behind her in the mirror, and they gazed at each other in the glass for a protracted moment. “You…” He cleared his throat. “Ah…here, let me help you with your cloak.”
    He reached around and deftly untied the bow at her throat. He was close now, touching her, and pleasant heat radiated off him. It was early spring, and the nights were still cool, but with Sir Colin so close, she was as warm as if it were midsummer.
    “Thank you, Sir Colin,” she murmured.
    “Nay.” The word was a low Scottish purr that seemed to rumble up her spine.
    She gave him a questioning look.
    “You mustn’t call me Sir Colin. You must call me John.”
    “John,” she tried. “Oh, but that name doesn’t fit you at all.”
    “Aye, well, it sounds a wee bit odd to my ear as well. But if I give you leave to call me Colin, will you remember John when we’re not alone?”
    She nodded.
    “Verra well, then. Call me Colin. The sir isna necessary.”
    “Thank you,” she said, “Colin.” She whispered his name. It felt so very intimate to call a man by his first name, alone in a bedchamber, with his hands on her shoulders as he removed her clothing…
    Not her clothing, she amended in her mind. Just her cloak. He pulled it off and hung it on a convenient hook beside the