She tasted warm.Sweet.As delicious as the first cup of wassail at Yule.
And when she boldly pushed herself against him, molding her body to his, when he felt her supple breasts like soft pillows against his chest, he could no longer hold back.
Oblivious to the pain of his burns, he swept both hands into her silken tresses and growled against her lips.Delved his tongue into her mouth with starving need.And pressed against her belly with that part of him that wanted her most.
Carenza’s head was spinning.But it was a delightful giddiness, the way she’d felt as a wee lass, twirling among the sheep in a grassy glen.
He’d said the words baldly.Boldly.He’d called herthe woman he loved.Deep in her heart, she’d felt it, known it.But his constant denials and his variable affection had hammered at that belief.They’d almost convinced her he didn’t truly care for her.
Now their embrace felt like a glorious celebration of the truth.The unlocking of a secret chest filled with treasure beyond her wildest dreams.
Her body hummed like summer bees as Hew dipped into the flower of her mouth to collect nectar.
Her veins gushed like a swollen burn in spring.Racing eagerly.Gathering speed.Heading to a destination unknown.
She couldn’t remember how she’d come to be here.But she was certain it had been her idea.Now she felt as if she’d saddled a wild destrier and was clinging to him for dear life.
Still, she didn’t want the breathtaking ride to end.
Hew’s hands were strong yet gentle as he cradled her head.
Beneath her own fingers, his jaw felt manly.Firm and rough with stubble.
He tasted of ale and spice and restless hunger.And when he groaned against her mouth, it sent a sensuous current through her that drew from her an answering moan.
His chest was hard but yielding.She felt protected there.Yet where her breasts brushed against him, her nipples roused with heady longing.
But what filled her with the most thrilling heat and danger and excitement was the part of him that pulsed against her belly with eager need.
What she wanted, she could not have.Deep beneath the roiling waves of this sensual sea, she recognized that tragic truth.
Even now, though she felt far from the earthly plane, as if they floated together in heaven, she knew it could not last.No matter how much she wanted the feeling to go on.And on.And on.
And that was made painfully clear when she heard the distant voice of the laird addressing the clan.“’Tis sundown.Shall we return home?”
They broke from the kiss abruptly.Reluctantly.While lust still smoldered in their eyes.
How could it be sundown already?Surely they’d only begun to kiss.And she still felt full of light and warmth.
But as lovely as their embrace had been, duty descended on her like the dampening shadow of night.
She quickly adjusted her hair, praying it wasn’t too out of sorts.
He quickly adjusted his braies.
“Forgive me, my lady.I should not have…” he said, leaving the rest open-ended, as if he wished to apologize for everything.
“Left me so unrequited?”she asked.
He blinked in surprise.
“I’ll forgive ye this once,” she told him breathlessly.“But I expect ourconversationto continue in the comin’ days.”
It was a brazen thing to say, she knew.But Hew made her feel brazen.And fearless.And brilliant.He made her feel like she didn’t have to guard her words.Like she could speak her mind.And her heart.
For once, he was left speechless.Which rather pleased her.
Before she rounded the corner to join her father, she whispered to Hew, “I think ye should perhaps surrender your dreams o’ becomin’ a monk.”
