Page 50 of The Highlander’s Unexpected Wife

He swept his tongue inside her mouth and tasted a hint of the brandy she’d drunk. He wanted badly to lay her down on the mattress and drive into her hard. He’d been a fool not to realize that she couldn’t simply accept his word that he was an honorable man. He hadn’t protected her as he should have. Cameron broke the kiss and pressed his mouth to her cheek, then the edge of her mouth and lingered a moment with another soft kiss.

“Cameron,” she whispered.

His name on her lips was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard. Cameron ran his tongue along the seam of her lips. His heart thundered when she again opened her mouth. He slipped his tongue inside and, to his surprise, this time, she tangled her tongue with his. Cameron swung her into his arms and walked to the wing backed chair before the fire and sat, settling her on his lap. He kissed her thoroughly, claiming her mouth as his. He slid his hands along her back, detailing the curve of her torso, her spine, then resting his hands on the swell of her hip. She threaded her fingers in his hair and tugged. Cameron growled low in his chest and thrust his hips against her bottom.

The tender swell of her breasts pressed against his chest.

“Alison,” he whispered against her lips.

Alison gasped and pushed away from him. “I don’t know what came over me.”

Cameron willed his racing heart to slow. “Desire, my sweet.”

“But it’s not appropriate.”

“We will marry tomorrow,” he said.

Her eyes widened. “So soon?”

“I will be much more at ease once we are married.”

“I think you will be anything but at ease when we marry.”

He chuckled. “There may be some truth to that. However…” He gave her a hard kiss, then set her on her feet and rose. “If you are to have that bath before the servants rise, I had better prepare it.”

Fifteen minutes later, Cameron woke Seton and asked him to discreetly tend to the horses and return the rented horse to the inn. After that, he set the tub before a roaring fire and half filled it with warm water.

Alison dipped her fingers into the water.

“It will no’ stay warm for long,” he said.

She didn’t move, but stared at him.

“What is amiss, love? I have told you, you need not worry about a constable showing up on our doorstep.”

She shook her head. “I am so confused.”

“About what?”

“About you.” Her brow furrowed. “I am engaged to another, I have compromised my reputation, and trapped you in this farce of an engagement, yet you act as if I please you.”

“Our engagement is no farce. Your reputation is now my responsibility and I do not feel trapped. In fact, I feel something altogether different for you.” He traced a finger down her cheek. “Something quite pleasant, in fact.”

“Until I disobey your next instructions.”

“You could at least try to do as I ask.”

She shook her head. “You tease, but you know I am right. You cannot possibly wish to spend your life keeping your wife from mischief. I…do not conform well.”

“I appreciate your honesty. But, as I just said, we will marry tomorrow. Now cease worrying. I will wait in the hall while you bathe.”

“Wait.” She hesitated. “There is no chance you will change your mind?”

“No chance at all.”

She nervously licked her lips. “Then do not leave.”

Was she saying what he thought she was saying? “Are you certain?”

She nodded.

Still, he hesitated. “You trust me?”

Her expression softened. “Of course.”

Cameron stepped closer. He kissed the top of her head. He had to proceed slowly, for desire raged though him like a storm. She had repined her hair before they’d left the inn, but tendrils had fallen loose during the ride. He pulled the pins free of the locks and her hair tumbled around her shoulders

Despite his best efforts, his heart pounded as he slipped the sleeves of her dress off her shoulders. His gut twisted at sight of a bruise on her forearm. If she didn’t kill the patron of Hera’s Garden of Pleasure, he would. Cameron pressed a soft kiss to the bruise, then let the dress fall to the floor so that she stood in her shift and petticoat. Dark nipples hardened beneath the thin fabric of her chemise.

He brushed his knuckles against the raised tips. “Do I overstep my bounds when I say I have never seen a more beautiful woman?”