Before she could answer, Colen was kissing her. She was more than surprised, not only by the first touch of a man’s lips, but by the tenderness of it. Colen was usually so rough. This was a gentle brush of lips, soft, warm. The tingling of his fingers on the back of her neck spread down her back. She had to forcefully remind herself that this was Colen, a mere lad.
She tried halfheartedly to move away, struggling when she couldn’t put any real distance between herself and him. He laughed deeply, and somehowshe knew it wasn’t Colen. There was too much strength, too much authority in the man.
“G…go away,” she stammered, horrified to find herself in Jamie’s arms.
Jamie kept his face close to hers. “Have I hurt you?” he demanded, though not roughly. “Have I?”
“Nay.”
“Was the kiss so terrible?”
He didn’t let her answer. His mouth closed over hers again, but this kiss was different—gentle, yet so overpowering she thought she might faint.
When the kiss ended, Sheena was filled with an awed feeling, a feeling of wonder. She was so relaxed, so at ease. It was several moments before clear thought returned. She tensed, then, and fear ruled again.
Jamie was joyful. Sheena had responded. She had been soft and pliant in his arms, letting him hope she was not as repulsed by him as she had been.
“You yielded to me, Sheena,” Jamie said gruffly. “You liked my kissing. So dinna push me away and deny it.”
“Let me go.”
Jamie sighed, released her, and stood up. “There. You see how agreeable I am?”
Sheena sensed the anger underlying his words and knew the cause. If she showed her fear, she would increase his anger.
“Will you leave now?” she asked meekly.
“You dinnalike my company?”
Sheena sighed. How like a man to turn stubborn when angry!
“I’m sorry I’ve upset you, Sir Jamie, but I didna ask you to kiss me.”
“But you didna mind it, either. You may wish otherwise, but you liked it, and for a moment you were mine. If ’twas only your passion I wanted, I could have taken it. I think you know that.”
Sheena trembled. Was it true?
“What prevented you?” she dared to ask him.
“I’m wanting more from you than just a quick tumble.”
Sheena gasped at the crude remark. “You’ll no’ be getting even that!”
Jamie laughed, delighted. She had set aside fear long enough to let her temper loose.
“I’ll no’ be your mistress!” she snapped, furious at his laughter.
“Nor will I ask you to be.”
Sheena frowned. “I dinna ken. You say you want me, then you deny it. Are you amusing yourself at my expense, James MacKinnion?”
“Never, lass,” he breathed softly. “I’m wanting you badly and willing for you to know it. I’ve never given a lass such an advantage ’afore.”
“If you think I’m grateful, you’re mistaken.”
“It doesna please you that I am taken with you?”
Sheena was becoming most exasperated. “You’ve a high opinion of yourself, Sir Jamie! ’Tis understandable enough, you being laird of such a fine castle and no doubt sought after by many. You’re afine-looking man, too; I’ll say that plainly. But I’m no’ flattered to receive your attentions.”
