He raised his hands up, as though in surrender. “As you command.” He studied her, and asked, “Are you still unable to swim?”
“I can,” she argued. “But I’m not very good.”
“I’ll carry you, if you want to cool off.” He backed away, lowering himself deeper into the water. As his shoulders disappeared beneath the rippled surface, he added, “But you might get wet.”
The deep huskiness of his voice touched her like a physical caress. Without warning, her nipples grew erect, the heavy cloth confining them. She felt herself responding to him, her body rising up to a silent call.
Ewan disappeared under the water, and she stared at the spot where he’d just been.
What was he doing? When he didn’t resurface, she began to get nervous. The murky water made it difficult to see past waist-deep. Was he all right?
She sloshed into the deeper water, trying to see. The water was still, with only a slight disturbance caused by the wind.
“MacEgan, stop this. Come out of the water!”
Nothing. Honora leaned down and splashed at the surface. She studied the water, hoping to glimpse him. Oh Jesu, it had been far too long. Did he need her help?
Something grazed against her knees, and she shrieked, splashing at the creature.
Ewan surfaced seconds later, catching hold of her waist. He roared a mock battle cry, tossing her up in the air. A screech slipped from her lips as she grabbed him on the way down.
“Damn you, Ewan. Don’t let go of me.”
He gripped her tightly, moving into deeper water.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
“Making sure you don’t let go.” He brought her into the water, still holding her in his arms. The lower half of her gown was soaked, the heavy fabric weighing her down.
“Take me back to the shore. I don’t like this.” She gripped his neck harder, trying to lift every part of her body out of the river.
“In a moment,” he promised. His green eyes were almost the color of moss, dark and forbidding. A single lift of her mouth, and she would kiss him. His skin was cool, completely at odds with the burning fire that licked at her insides.
He slid a damp lock of hair from her cheek, and the touch made her skin unbearably sensitive.
“Ewan,” she whispered. She needed him so badly, it hurt. Her fingers shook as she reached up to touch his strong jaw.
Without another word, he strode through the water and brought her back to the shoreline. Setting her bare feet upon the grass, he continued toward his fallen clothing. When he was fully dressed, he turned to her.
“Put on your shoes, and I’ll take you back.”
She sat down, the breeze making her sodden gown chilly against her skin. It wasn’t the only thing that had turned cold. She’d never seen Ewan this way, so distant. It was as if he couldn’t wait to be rid of her. And it hurt in a way she’d never expected. After she put on her shoes, he helped her onto her horse.
She brought the animal up beside him, unsure of what she’d done to make him so angry. “Ewan, what is the matter?”
“It’s best if you stay away from me right now, Honora.” The hardened edge to his voice sounded predatory.
“And why is that?”
Without warning, he hauled her off the horse and dragged her mouth to his. The kiss ravaged her, tearing apart her arguments and forcing her to regret all the things she’d said. His heated embrace was carnal, and when his tongue touched hers, it ignited a fire inside her.
Wet and sensual, his kiss took her apart until she could barely hold onto him. His tongue warred with hers, stirring up feelings she tried to keep buried.
For so long, he’d been her friend. He’d been the one who she’d gone to, when a sword fight had gone wrong. He’d bandaged her cuts, helped her with the lies to her father and to the Earl of Longford.
And God help her, she didn’t want to lose him. Not even to her sister.
She rested her palm upon his cheek, watching the rise and fall of his breath. Then, she found herself leaning in and kissing him again. Lightly, the barest hint of mouths merging, she gave him a part of herself. No longer did he kiss her with the aching lust, but instead, he restrained the storm, letting her take the lead.
