Page 46 of Highland Vows of Betrayal

“We’ll be fine,” he assured her. “I promise ye this, Scarlett. We’ll return safely.”

“Ye are awfully confident.”

“Aye, because I ken ‘tis true.”

“Is it confidence or arrogance, I wonder?” she murmured, prompting him to smile.

“Ye’re cold. Come closer to the fire.”

“I’m fine.”

“Yer a poor liar, ye ken? Especially when I see ye shiver.”

“I’ll have ye ken I am a skilled liar.”

“Come here, Scarlett.” He gestured at the cozy spot next to him but she shook her head. “Ah, yer afraid tae come too close? Strange, I was just beginning tae think that nothing frightened ye.”

“Damn ye.” She gave him a withering look but gave in and scooted close to the hearth. He held out his arm, making room, but she hesitated and shook her head. “I dinnae remember saying I would cling to ye like a child.”

“That wasnae what I meant. Perhaps like a lover instead,” he suggested.

“I have nae energy for that,” she glowered.

“At least we can keep each other warm. It counts for a lot at times like this. The temperature will only drop further.”

“Aye, very well,” she relented and moved into the curve of his arm. They leaned against the stone hearth, cocooned together.

“We’ll be fine,” he whispered again. once her ear was close to his lips. He was sorely tempted to bury his face in her hair when she rested her head on his shoulder, shifting closer for warmth. “Ye are nae what I thought,” he remarked.

“What does that mean?”

“I thought ye would be obedient,” he chided.

“Ye dinnae really want an obedient woman, do ye? Not ye. It’s what ye claim tae want, but ‘tisnae what ye truly want. Ye wouldnae have kissed me that way if meek submission was yer goal.”

“Aye,” he sighed, knowing she was right.

“My mother presented herself as an obedient woman,” he continued. “She always pretended she was something she wasnae, and she betrayed my father.”

Scarlett lifted her head from his shoulder, surprised and saddened by his sudden revelation.

“I would rather have a spirited woman who told me the truth than one who keeps secrets acting like a mouse around me. Ye never ken what the mouse thinks, do ye?” he explained.

“I am sorry, Noah,” Scarlett murmured.

“Thank ye.” He was acutely aware of her next to him and his arm around her waist. She was a temptation and a tease, and he knew the possibility of a kiss loomed between them.

“I am nae like that.”

“Aye, I can see that.”

“Nay, I mean something more than that.” Scarlett breathed. “If I made ye a vow, I’d nae betray it.”

Hunger erupted within him. He moved in closer, and when she didn't resist, he closed the gap between them. He kissed her, and she returned it with great zeal, her hand moving up his chest, sending a rush of pleasure through him. When she tugged at his neck, he practically growled, devouring her lips with his.

He caught her tongue with his own, and she gasped but did not pull away. If anything, she pulled closer to fuel the fire growing within her.

We shouldnae dae this. There is still danger about and we are not yet safe.