Page 39 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

Looking over his shoulder, he peeked just as she stepped into the water. The sight of her stopped his breath in his throat.

It was hardly the first time he had seen a naked woman. It was even farther from the first time he’d seen a beautiful naked woman. There was something altogether more alluring about Scarlett than any woman he’d known for a long time.

Scarlett was slender in build, her legs sleek. From this view, he only saw her back. He watched as she glided through the water, her hips touching the surface, and his gaze lingered on her luscious rump far longer than they should have. She was long-waisted and Noah longed suddenly to see her turn around, and he was wounded when she didn’t.

Lowering herself in the water, she pushed out, swimming to the middle. When Noah turned around, he could only see her long red hair rippling on the surface. She dipped below the surface to cleanse the muddy tendrils until they were smooth and clean again.

Something about seeing her clothing strewn across the rocks sent his imagination running rampant. He pictured them in the loch together, her legs wrapped around his hips as he plunged into her. He saw her clinging to his shoulders, moaning as he pleasured her vigorously.

“Ye looked!”

Her accusation yanked him back to the moment. He lifted his eyes to the loch where Scarlett had resurfaced. Her red hair was plastered down her back and her arms were crossed over her chest, accusing him with stormy eyes.

“It was only a quick peek.” He did not seem overly remorseful, and she did not appear righteously offended.

“Well, ye arenae running for the hills, so ye cannae be horrified at what ye saw.” At her provocative observation, Noah threw his head back and laughed.

How did we get here?

He was intoxicated by her as if she were the finest whisky. Scarlett was certainly different from what he expected based on her description.

“Perhaps I should join ye to show ye what I thought?” he offered, watching her eyes widen. She made a show of turning to swim the other way, but he stopped her. “Dinnae worry, Scarlett. I made a promise tae ye and I will keep it. I only tease ye now.”

“I thank ye sincerely.”

There was a rustle in the leaves. Noah turned his head toward it, acute to the slightest noises.

It must have been a deer seeking water.

He studied the tree line for several minutes to be sure.

“Any other ladies ye have brought here tae swim in this loch?” Scarlett called to him as she continued to bathe.

“Nae, just ye.”

“Oh?” Her surprise tightened his chest, and he turned his gaze to her.

“I didnae plan to marry any of them.” He sighed, not sure what he felt about the idea just then. He thought that marrying Scarlett would certainly have its advantages. He could already see that, even after the short time he’d known her.

With her, there would be heat, and if that first kiss was anything to judge by, there would be a lot of passion when they shared a bed, but there was something else about her, too. There was wit, spirit, and intelligence that he admired.

Noah’s reverie lifted and returned to the present. “How much longer will ye be? We have tae get back tae the castle or run the risk of being seen.”

He heard another rustle in the trees and was immediately alert. He whipped his head around and saw leaves move.

Something doesnae feel right.

“I’m coming,” Scarlett called and began to swim toward him. “Ye have tae go back tae yer place in the trees. I willnae walk back to shore while ye stare openly.”

“’Tis a tempting idea.” Even as he spoke he was distracted, and watched the trees closely. Scarlett was in the shallows now, squeezing excess water from her hair. “Scarlett?”

“Aye?”

“Dinnae move. Stay still.”

He hoped she would listen to him and realize he was not playing with her. His gaze was fixed on the trees as he moved silently forward when something dove into them.

Nae a deer. A person!