“Smells like…” she gasped, and he gave a low chuckle.
“Herbs. It smells of herbs. Like ye do.”
A blush crossed her face. Of course. All healers had a strong, herby, medicinal scent. It was only natural, considering how often they spent crushing, blending, and grinding herbs. The medicines stained their fingers and clothes too, if they weren’t careful. It was easy enough to get used to the scent, so easy that you might forget others weren’t used to it.
“And there were books in front of the door,” he added, almost as an afterthought.
“I…” Nora managed, trying and failing to claw some reasonable explanation together out of her beleaguered mind. “I didnae…”
He took a few slow, languid steps toward her, moving with a catlike grace. With decidedly less grace, Nora backed away, scurrying around the bed in hopes of putting something between them.
That did not work. He simply followed her around the bed, and now she was cornered. Now there was the wall corner behindher, Creighton in front. She couldprobablyvault over the bed to her right, if necessary. If he let her.
“Why were ye in me bed?” he whispered, voice cracking. His eyes were dark, fixed on her, and something equally dark began to swirl in her gut. Something that tugged on her insides as if there was a hook buried in them. Something that inched lower, pulsing between her legs, right at her core.
She swallowed thickly, willing the sensation to go away.
It did not.
“I was naeinyer bed,” she managed. Denial was probably not the best solution here. “I… I only sat on it. And I shouldnae have gone into yer room, but I meant nay harm, truly. I’m just a curious sort of person.”
He growled, actuallygrowled, low in his throat. “Well, I can smell ye on me pillow, now.”
She reddened further. “I’m sorry. It’s the medicine, all the herbs we use. I… I’ll take more thorough baths in the future, I promise. And more frequent baths. Startin’ tonight.”
She didn’t relish the prospect of summoning the surly maids and asking for a bath, but if her betrothed—what a strange wordthatwas—thought she smelled unpleasant, then this was probably the best way to avoid humiliation.
And she certainlywashumiliated. The throb of desire in her gut felt plainly stupid. Why did it have to behim? Why couldn’t she feel desire for some other man, someordinaryman? Whyhim?
“I’m startin’ to think,” Creighton whispered, taking another step forward. “That ye were put on this earth to torture me.”
She took another step backward and immediately knocked the small of her back against a dresser. He reached forward, curling his fingers around her chin. The touch took her by surprise. She squeaked, eyes widening, and he leaned closer.
“Now ye want me to imagine ye in the bath?” he breathed. “Fine. So be it.”
Nora opened her mouth to respond sharply that it wasnother intention, but there was no time to get the words out, because he kissed her.
CHAPTER 8
“I’m startin’to think that ye were put on this earth to torture me.”
His words rolled round and round in her head. His lips pressed firmly against hers, impossibly hot, just like his hands. Fingertips traced down the curve of her side, brushing her hip and moving along the line of her spine. He pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. Her hands moved instinctively, and she tightened her grip on his shoulder. When had she shut her eyes? All she could see was the inside of her eyelids, flickering with red light.
Her scar!
The memory of that rushed through Nora’s mind, filling her with panic. Could he feel her scar against his lips as he kissed her? Did it disgust him?
The tip of his tongue brushed her bottom lip, and Nora let out a ragged gasp, her jaw slackening almost by itself. Warmth flooded through her, a pulse beginning to beat between her legs. It was that feeling, that intense and frightening rush of desire, which woke Nora up from her haze.
What am I doin’? This is nae why I am here.
She gave a muffled cry, her breath warm against his lips, and pushed feebly on his chest.
He released her at once, stepping back. Nora bumped back against the dresser, hard. Something jingled and fell over. She had no idea what it was. It didn’tmatter; none of it mattered.
For a moment, there was silence. They stared at each other, eyes wide. Nora could not quite take in enough air, her lungs tightening with each breath. And yet, she was breathing, she must be. Creighton’s lips were slightly reddened, and it struck Nora that the redness came from their kiss. It was tempting to lift a hand to her own lips, to see if hers were red and tender too, but she held back. Curling her hands around the edge of the dresser, Nora took a shaky breath and waited for him to speak first. Wild possibilities spun through her mind.
What will he say? Will he beg me forgiveness? Will he tell me that he’s fallin’ in love with me? Will he insist that I leave at once?
