* * *
Lauren stirred,shifted and nestled back into the cozy warmth. She wanted to linger, stay cocooned in…wait! Her eyes flew open. Just as quickly, she closed them, not wanting to disturb the man holding her.
She’d caught the glow of the fire and the still-dark sky, and listened now, to the water dancing over the boulders. Reggie’s slow, even breaths teased a few strands of her hair as his chest rose and fell rhythmically beneath her.
He slept.
How long had she been on his lap? In his arms? Wrapped in his plaid? Heat radiated off him like a furnace, making her want to stay and perhaps fall sleep again, in his arms.
Easier said, than done.
She eased her eyes open and tilted her head back to be sure he was truly asleep. “Reggie?” she whispered. “Are you awake?”
Carefully, she eased her palm up his chest to the neck of his longshirt, and stopped. Waited. Still the same steady breathing.
Emboldened, she lightly traced a finger down his jaw, to the faint dent in his chin. The day’s stubble rasping her finger, delighted her. It suited him, this rugged Scot who’d so totally captured her interest and imagination.
Smiling, she traced his upper lip, slowly, gently. What would it feel like, if she— She gasped when he captured her hand and pressed a slow kiss to her fingertips.
“ ’Tis only fair that I’m allowed tae explore a wee bit, as well, aye?”
Her breath stalled in her lungs. How long had he been awake?
His heavy-lidded gaze met hers as he pressed a kiss to her wrist. “Ye smell delicious. How is it ye can smell of summer flowers when they havenae yet bloomed?”
Though he obviously teased, she loved the comment, all the same. When she’d spritzed on some body fragrance after her flight to freshen up, she had no idea she’d be sharing the scent with a stranger. “Just a little magic,” she whispered.
His progression stopped, though his lips still touched her skin. “I dinnae ken ye were a witch.”
His warm breath fanning her skin sent a shiver through her. “And if I were?”
“ ’Twould be a most pleasant surprise.” He laid her hand on his chest and reached out to draw a thumb along her jawline. “I’ve a special fondness for witches.”
“Lucky for me.”
“So soft,” he whispered as he moved this thumb higher, to trace the outer ridges of her mouth before stopping at the fullness of her bottom lip. “Ye shouldnae worry this so, with your pretty teeth. Since I first saw ye, I’ve felt the need tae kiss any hurt away.”
His eyes were like magnets, drawing her closer.
“Does it pain ye now, lass?”
All she could manage was the barest nod.
Slowly, he slid his fingers into her hair and drew her closer until his lips were centimeters from hers. “I’ll do my best tae fix it.”
Still, he waited, until her anticipation spiraled to a torturous level. When his mouth finally met hers, it was to lightly tease and taste. By the time he took her mouth fully, she responded almost greedily.
The coil building in her belly spread, then tightened and spread again as she matched his eagerness, tasting and testing for herself, move for move, pressure for pressure, but before she knew it, he led her down a breathless path she’d not traveled before.
When they parted, she felt sure he was just as surprised as she.
He still held her tight to his chest and at some point, her fingers had slipped into the hair at the nape of his neck. Neither of them attempted to move. She felt the rapid beat of his heart and even in the dim firelight, saw the confusion in his eyes.
Or was it regret?
“Lauren, I…”
“Wait!” she interrupted, sliding her hand to his chest as if that would stop him. “Whatever you’re about to say, please,do notsay you’re sorry.”
