To Desire a Highlander by Sue-Ellen Welfonder Read Free Book Online Page B

smell of rain.
    Any moment the heavens would open.
    A pity such weather hadn’t swept in before Donell spotted the island.
    The mist and clouds might’ve hidden Laddie’s Isle from view, causing him and his men to sail onward, sparing her this unwanted reunion.
    But the gods truly had deserted her.
    And the higher she climbed, the more she cursed the leather pouch of Viking treasure swinging from her belt. She’d swear the goods within tripled in weight with each step she took. Breathing hard now, she pressed a hand against her hip and leaned into the wind, not wanting to think what would happen if the ever-heavier silver coins, cut-up brooches, armlets, and rings caused her to lose her balance again. The track’s steepness was harrowing enough, the slippery stones a danger on the fairest of days.
    And this day, though glorious in every way that usually thrilled her, was anything but mild.
    Knowing she shouldn’t, she cast a quick glance at the rocky shore and the stormy, white-capped sea so very far beneath her. Wishing she hadn’t, she hurried on. If only Donell hadn’t kissed her, sweeping her with emotionsshe’d never expected to feel for him, igniting her temper and causing her to flee.
    Now…
    One false step and her life would be ended, dashed to nothingness before she’d had a chance to truly live, to taste the excitement, adventure, and passion that had to be more than the sweet words spun by bards before the hearth fire on chill, dark nights.
    “Damn the bastard,” she seethed, nearing one of the worst turns of the track. A spot where the cliff’s rough black shoulder reared into midair, the thrusting rocks home to swarms of wheeling, crying seabirds, and nary a one looked willing to let her pass.
    Indeed, several swooped right at her, clearly aiming to maim.
    “Gah!” She flung up an arm, dodging the attack. The birds veered away, screaming angrily. But her foot slipped on a loose stone, the world tilting as rock, sea, and sky merged into one, spinning crazily.
    Strong hands grabbed her from behind and swung her against the cliff face. Before she could blink, Donell leaned in so close she could scarce breathe. He held her in place, his palms braced on the cold, wet rock on either side of her shoulders. He was breathing as hard as she was, his bearded face wearing a fierce, dark scowl.
    “Have you nae wits, lassie?” His eyes glittered dangerously as he pressed closer, so near that the sheer strength of him almost overpowered her. His mail-covered chest kept her pinned where she was, his hard-slabbed muscles and the steel rings of his mail shirt as immoveable as the stone behind her. “Only a fool would tear up a track like this. Or can it be”—his lips brushed her ear—“that youwere so eager to share my bed, you couldn’t wait to reach my keep?”
    Gillian bristled. “I’d sooner lie with a drooling dotard than suffer more of your attentions!”
    His eyes narrowed for a moment, his gaze searing. “Then, my beloved betrothed, mayhap you should’ve dissuaded your father from bringing you here. Seeing you now, what a beautiful woman you’ve become in the years I’ve been away, I cannot help but to desire you.”
    He kept his gaze locked on hers and she could see the force of his will, his steely command. “For truth, I may tell your father to leave you here, that I’d forgo the formalities of proper nuptials and a lavish wedding feast.
    “Why wait”—he took her chin in his hand, tilting her face to catch her earlobe between his teeth—“when the taste of you on my lips is already maddening me?”
    “You were mad before you left this isle.” Gillian jerked her head free. “Now you’re even more crazed.”
    “So some men say.” He straightened, something in his tone making her shiver. “Even so, I’m no’ so depraved that I’d stand by and see a foolish lassie plunge to her death. Truth be told, I’d kill the man who would.”
    “Your chivalry is admirable.” Gillian