“I ken ye’re enjoyin’ this,” he murmured against her ear. “Bein’ close to me, feelin’ me hands on ye.”
“I am nae,” she protested weakly.
“Nae?” His hand slipped lower, settling on the curve of her hip. “Then why havenae ye pulled away?”
Good question.
Why hadn’t she? She had every reason to push him away, to maintain the distance between them. Instead, she was practically melting into his touch.
“Because...” She searched for an excuse that didn’t make her sound completely lustful. “Because I’ll fall if I move.”
“I willnae let ye fall.”
There was something in his voice, a certainty that made her believe him completely, and the realization hit her harder than any flowery declaration might have.
“Elijah.”
“Ye’re dangerous, ye ken that?” His forehead dropped to rest against hers. “Standin’ there lookin’ like that, sayin’ me name like that.”
“I’m nae doin’ anythin’.”
“Aye, ye are. Ye’re temptin’ me to forget every reason why this is a bad idea.”
“Ye’re nae makin’ this easy,” she said softly.
“Makin’ what easy?”
“Hatin’ ye.”
His laugh was rueful. “I’m nae findin’ it easy to keep me distance either.”
“Then why are ye tryin’?”
“Because...” He pulled back to look at her, his expression serious. “Because ye deserve better than to be trapped with a man like me.”
“What if I dinnae want better? What if I want ye?”
The words escaped before she could stop them, bold and honest and completely terrifying. His eyes went dark, his hands tightening on her waist.
“Daenae say things like that.”
“Why nae?”
“Because if ye keep temptin’ me like this, I willnae be responsible for what happens.”
“What would happen?”
Instead of answering, his gaze dropped to her lips then lower. That’s when she saw surprise flicker across his features, followed by something much hotter.
“Elijah?” She followed his gaze downward and gasped.
Her chemise, soaked through from the river, had become completely transparent. She might as well have been naked for all the coverage it provided. Every curve, every detail of her body was clearly visible through the clinging fabric.
“Oh God.” Her hands flew to cover her body, even as her face flamed with embarrassment.
“Daenae.” His voice was rough, commanding.
“Daenae what?”
