Page 41 of In Bed with a Highland Brute

In the name of the wee man above and all his angels!

Murdoch acted fast. He threaded one arm under Eloise’s waist and rolled the two of them off the bed, to the other side, so they were completely hidden from Ian and Aila. They landed on one of the furs that had slipped off the bed, with Eloise beneath him, and his hands planted to the furs on either side of her head. Their bodies were completely entwined now, with one of his legs between both of hers.

“Ha! Aye, aye, I think Eloise is in a good place indeed,” Ian called from the doorway. “Ye two arenae married yet, ye ken?”

“Ian, take yer wit elsewhere,” Murdoch barked at the door.

“If ye didnae wish fer an audience, then dinnae leave the door open and raise yer voices as if ye are calling fer help.”

“Ian!” Eloise cried, covering her face with her hands. When she released her breasts, Murdoch couldn’t help looking down. She was perfectly shaped, her curves noticeable and her areoles standing pert, either from the cold or the proximity of their bodies, he wasn’t sure.

“Eloise…” Murdoch whispered.

She abruptly realized what she had done and covered her breasts once more, glaring up at him accusingly.

“Ye’re the one who released them,” he murmured.

“Shh!”

“Come on, Ian. Leave them in peace,” Aila called from the doorway. “Ye wouldnae want an audience.”

“Aye, aye, let us close the door before anyone else walks in on them. Imagine if Avery had been the one tae walk by.” Ian’s laughter echoed down the corridor as he closed the door.

Murdoch breathed heavily as the door thudded closed, staring down at Eloise. Her blush was no longer just on her face but had creeped down across her chest. Her wet hair was very noticeable now, wild across the furs. He had an image of tangling his hands in it, pulling on it playfully, but he held himself back.

“This wasnae supposed tae happen,” Eloise muttered as she closed her eyes.

“Aye, ye could say that.” Murdoch didn’t move. He couldn’t. If he raised himself up, then he’d see the whole of Eloise. He was all too aware of every part of their bodies that touched too, his hips against her own, and one of her legs raised around his hips. They were so close, it would be all too easy for them to explore one another now, to get to know each other more.

That isnae the deal, is it? We agreed on a marriage of convenience!

“Ye can get off me now,” Eloise said, opening her eyes.

“And then what? See the whole of ye?” he asked, tilting his head to the side as his eyes dropped down to her breasts again. She wasn’t helping matters with the way she tried to flatten them. It made the tops of her breasts crown in a tempting way. He breathed deeply, praying to gain control before his length would rise and she would feel it.

“Then close yer eyes,” she hissed and lifted her head. “Murdoch!”

“Aye, aye.” He closed his eyes and raised himself up on his hands. “Ye’re welcome, by the way.”

“Welcome? Fer what?”

“Fer rolling us off the bed. Or would ye rather Ian and Aila saw everything?”

“Oh, aye. I’m entirely grateful tae ye. Never mind the fact the whole of this mess was of yer own making.”

“Me making?” he spluttered as in the darkness he used the bed post to orientate himself and sat on the edge of the bed. He hadn’t opened his eyes, despite the temptation.

“Aye. Ye shouldnae have been sneaking around when I was bathing.”

“I didnae ken ye were in here, and I wasnae sneaking.”

“Aye, aye, sure ye werenae,” she said with thick sarcasm. As her voice drifted across the room, Murdoch gave in to temptation. He opened just one eye, enough to look at her as she retreated to the other side of the chamber.

He caught sight of her back and her rear, completely bare. He could have groaned aloud at the sight of her. The slim curves were an intoxicating draw, one as strong as liquor. His center stirred and more than anything did he wish to draw her back down to those furs and show her something.

Maybe it doesnae just have tae be convenience. Maybe we could produce that heir.

Yet the way she darted quickly behind the screen told him it was a bad idea. She had no wish to be something more with him, that was plain. It didn’t matter that those few kisses they had shared for their illusion had been powerful.