The Highlander's Accidental Marriage (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online Page B

their lips. Somehow she knew Braeden’s kiss was unlike any other she would have received.
    What astounded her most was that she’d allowed it. As their hands had touched, she’d immediately known his intention. The look in his eyes, the movement toward her, all signaled his purpose. For once in her life she hadn’t wanted to turn away. She had wanted to experience a kiss from Braeden McKinnon.
    Whatever she’d expected had not been anything like the actual joining of their lips. It was gentle at first, then Braeden had become more insistent, and she’d found following his lead was quite pleasurable.
    She’d once caught her sister Abigail being kissed by her husband, Joseph. Despite her decision to put off any idea of marriage for a few years, the feelings she’d experienced witnessing the passion between them had left her with a sense of loss, of missing something very important in life. After Braeden’s kiss, she no longer felt left out. But what she had been left with frightened her a great deal.
    He held out her chair and she sat, trying very hard to avoid his piercing gaze. “How is yer maid?”
    “I don’t actually know, for sure. She says she is only tired, but she has already slept most of the day.”
    “She is not having supper?”
    Sarah shook her head as a young girl brought a platter of meat, a bowl of stewed vegetables, warm bread, and fresh butter and set it on the table. “May I have a pot of tea, please?”
    “Yes, my lady.” The girl did a quick curtsy and left the room.
    Sarah picked up her fork. “Alice says she isn’t hungry, merely tired.”
    They ate the meal in relative silence, the sound of the fire behind them crackling with a soothing sound. The food was very good, as was the tea. The long day was catching up with her.
    Braeden tilted his lips in a slow smile. “Are you ready to retire, lass?”
    “Yes.” Sarah stifled a yawn. “I believe I am. I’d forgotten how tiring travel can be.”
    He stood and pulled her chair out. Extending his arm, they left the room together. She preceded him up the stairs and stopped at the door to her room. She turned to say good night, and her breath caught.
    He’s going to kiss me again.

Chapter Five
    B raeden rested his forearm against the doorframe and leaned in. He regarded Sarah with a rakish grin. “So lass, ye think my kiss was merely ‘nice’?”
    She raised her chin, her eyes flashing. “Yes, truly. It was…nice.”
    “ Ach , ’tis an insult to be sure, and ’tis time to change yer mind.”
    “I don’t think…”
    He cupped her face, and his mouth covered hers hungrily. All rational thought fled like water from a hole in a dam. The strength of his lips against hers went straight to her knees, turning them to liquid. If it weren’t for his muscled arm that moved down to anchor tightly around her waist, there was a good chance she would slide to the floor in a crumpled heap. Just like the swooning misses she’d always viewed with disdain.
    She did not want to feel the power he held over her, tried very hard to push away the emotions racing through her. If she could, she’d command these unwanted feelings to a compartment in her brain that she would label revisit when far away from Braeden McKinnon . In some ways, the man was more dangerous than the highwaymen she’d feared.
    Braedon released her lips and pulled back, staring at her, flashing a devilish smile. “Lass, it appears ye are having trouble standing. Do ye think ye might have contracted whatever it is yer maid has come down with?” His eyes sparkled as he added, “Aye, it must be so, since yer lovely cheeks are flushed, and ye feel warm.”
    She covered her cheeks with her palms. “It is merely hot in here.”
    He tapped the end of her nose with his index finger. “Or perhaps my kiss is not ‘just nice’ after all, aye?” With that he pushed himself away from the doorjamb and strolled to his room two doors down. When he reached his destination, he turned.