Desire built as he pulled her into his lap, his hands teasing, caressing, until she was wild with his every touch, could feel the answering reverberations thrumming through his frame.
Never had a man made her want, made her body burn so that logic crumbled beneath need. With him, the barriers fell away and ’twas like drifting on a desire-laden wind where for an instant she felt whole, as if each step of her life had led to this one incredible moment.
His body tensed and he jerked back, shattered the spell she’d fallen under.
Breaths coming fast, he pressed his brow to hers. “I should not have touched you.”
Her pulse unsteady, she met his gaze, thrilled at the taut expression on his face, the wildness he fought to control. “I wanted you tokiss me again.”
Despite the need etched in his features, he cupped her chin, his touch so tender, her heart ached. Hope ignited that he wanted her for more than this moment, but for…
Her spirits plummeted even as her body burned. She ducked her head, avoiding his gaze. What was she thinking? Passion flaring between them or not, he was a noble, a Knight Templar, a man revered by many, while she had naught but a stepbrother who at this moment she was unsure she could trust.
Elspet started to pull away.
His hold grew firm. “What is wrong?”
Wanting him with her every breath, she shook her head. “You are right, ’tis late and weneed to rest.”
His intense gaze studied her.
A hard knot formed in her throat for all he made her feel, want, despite their different stations in life. A dangerous thought. One that would lead to naughtbut heartbreak.
Heartbreak?
No, she cared for him, felt gratitude that he’d agreed to help her free her stepbrother regardless of the lies she’d told him when they’d first met.
Awash in inner turmoil, carefully,she moved away.
“You are upset.”
“I am. Not because of the kiss.” Even now, its potent effects wove through her body. “That I liked, morethan I should.”
“As I.” Regret darkened his gaze. “But once Tiran Castle is seized, Iwill be gone.”
He’d alluded to his departure from Dalkirk before, but this blunt statement was like a lance through her body. “Why? ’Tis your legacy. Your presence will be needed to address the many wrongs committed by your uncle, and to setthings right.”
“Which I will attend to. Once matters are settled, I will leave the stronghold’s care to those I trust. However much I wish to stay, I have sworn to return to fight with King Robert until all of Scotland is beneath his rule.” He paused. “While I am away, as I promised earlier, you will have a place within my castle.”
But not with him. His intention was clear, and given her status in society, not unexpected. “I thank you,” she said, her words sounding hollow to her own ears. “’Tis generous of you.”
He frowned. “You do notwant to stay.”
And see him return and eventually wed? A shudder rippled through her at the devastating thought. “I am grateful for your generous offer, but I am considering other options as well, including joining the Romani.”
She’d said it with forced levity, but he stared at her for a long moment, his face unreadable in the golden shimmers from the fires near their tent. “What is Taog to you?” he demanded suddenly.
“A friend,” Elspet replied, confused by his question. “Why?”
“He seems possessive of you.”
Was he jealous? Laughable. A handsome, powerful man like Cailin would have little challenge in finding a woman of his own stature. A fact she must never forget. “Aclose friend.”
His mouth tightened, and he gave a curt nod.“Go to sleep.”
Perplexed, she slipped between the covers, and with her thoughts and emotions at odds, she lay awake, unable to sleep, for a long while.
* * * *
