She let her head fall back.
His breath was hot on her thighs.
Her face was hot with shame.
Nay, not shame.Something else.
Awe.
A great power was glowing inside her.A power he’d sparked the way flint sparked a fire.And now that he’d kindled the flames, there was nothing to stop her from bursting into a raging inferno.
She clutched the arms of the chair, fearful of what was to come.
But he clasped her fingers in his own, lending her reassurance.He would keep her anchored.He would keep her safe.He would be there for her.
She thought she could endure no more.But her body acted of its own accord.The power inside took control.She couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t move.She stilled as the flames roared higher and higher.
And then, with a taut squeal like a sleeping coal jabbed to life, she exploded into a thousand sparks.She gasped as waves of joy rocked her body and tossed her to and fro, shaking every last vestige of modesty from her.
How he managed to hold her, to keep her from flying in a thousand different directions, she didn’t know.The throes of her desire were powerful and demanding.She could no more control them than she could stop the rain from falling.
But she didn’t need to.Nobody but Hew was witness to her shattering.No one but he saw how she shuddered out of control, becoming a wild and wanton beast, and then gradually collapsed back into herself.
And he would safeguard her.He would keep her sins concealed.That the laird’s daughter, who always comported herself with dignity, grace, and calm, had allowed herself to become passion’s plaything would be their secret.No one else need ever know.
A sudden sharp knock at the door was all it took to destroy her sense of safety.
Panic leaped into her throat.She thrashed on the chair, freeing her hands and trying to tug her leine down.
“M’lady?”came a feminine voice.
Carenza opened her mouth to reply, not sure whether she should.
Hew scowled and put a finger to his lips.Then he whispered, “Who is it?”
“My maidservant,” she whispered back.
He nodded.This was clearly not the first time he’d had to cover an indiscretion.
He called out, “This is Sir Hew.Lady Carenza allowed me the privacy of the solar to bathe.I hope ’tis all right.”
There was a brief pause.Then she asked, “Do ye need help, m’lord?”
Carenza frowned.Did the saucy maid think while her mistress was away she could feast her eyes on the naked Rivenloch warrior?The man Carenza loved?
But Hew seemed amused by her expression.“Nay, thank you,” he replied.“I’m nigh finished.”
“What about linens for dryin’?”the maid asked.
Carenza’s frown deepened.
Hew’s grin widened.
“Nay,” he called back.Then he turned a smoky, adoring gaze on Carenza.“I have everything I require.”
At his words, Carenza’s jealousy dissolved.
When they were wed, she supposed she’d have to get used to lasses staring at her handsome figure of a husband.Just as he would have to get used to the men who ogled her.
