Page 447 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Nay. This may not be a bed and it is no’ our wedding night, but I will not please you, then scurry away like Beaumond would have.”

She knew his frustration was rising when his perfect English gave way to a mild Scottish accent, but couldn’t halt her retort. “At least he would have gotten the job done.”

Nicholas’ eyes darkened. “I believe I got the job done with a bang, Lady Josephine. After all, ye did call out my name when you trembled in my arms.” Embarrassed warmth flushed her cheeks warm, then intensified when he added, “I feel quite certain Beaumond didn’t have you anywhere near a pitched fever as did I.”

“You think highly of yourself,” she retorted.

Nicholas inhaled, then released a slow breath that lifted and expanded his broad chest. He traced a finger along her cheek and smiled. “No, my darling. It isn’t that at all. I am in love with you, and I wanted to please you.”

Her heart broke and the tears finally crashed through her defenses.

* * *

Nicholas saw the moisture—and the haunted look—in her eyes. His chest twisted. “God, Jo. Don’t cry.”

“Why did you have to come back?” she said.

“Love.” He sat up, pulling her up and across his lap.

She twisted in an effort to free herself, but he held her tight. Her bare shoulders were cold to the touch and he grabbed the afghan hanging off the left side of the couch. Nicholas draped it over her shoulders, then pulled her tight against him and rested his chin on her head.

“A man might worry when the woman he just made love to bursts into tears afterwards,” he said.

“I did not burst into tears. You were not supposed to be here. You weren’t supposed to—” She broke off.

“Make you feel that way?” he offered.

“I want to go my room,” she said.

“In a minute. Tell me what’s wrong. You might refuse my suit, but I find it difficult to believe you would punish me this way. You were never a vindictive woman.”

“You do not know me.”

“But I do. You have grown up, but you are still the same girl.” Though he had glimpsed that girl far more in the first days of his return than he had lately.

She lifted her gaze to his face. “Just like you are the same boy?”

His chest tightened at sight of the weariness in her eyes. “Essentially, yes. I still love you. I loved you all along. I told you why I didn’t return as promised.”

“A dozen times.” She lowered her eyes and heaved a sigh. “You’ve told me everything a dozen times.”

“And I will keep telling you until you believe me.”

“I do believe you,” she said. “I know you thought I was to marry. But that was so long ago. I am long over it…over you, Nick, whether you want to believe it or not.”

“I returned the moment I learned you hadn’t married Helmsley,” he said.

“You would have done better to stay on your ship.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I’m not the girl you think I am.”

A murmur of voices sounded in the hallway.

She bolted upright. “Someone is coming.”

“You weren’t this concerned when I found you with Beaumond,” Nicholas said with frustration.