She shook her head. "I will only say… you, being a noble laird, should not have helped such a fallen woman as I am."
"Nonsense. Do not malign yourself. You're a virtuous lady… one who did what she had to in order to survive."
"Aye, but… I don't feel very virtuous at the moment."
Damnation. He truly wished she wouldn't say things like that. 'Twas too tempting by far, but again he couldn't resist the bait. "How do you feel?"
"Scandalous. Because… you make me feel odd things I've never felt before. Like that night in the tower."
Was she talking about desire? She had never felt it before? Although he shouldn't, he needed to clarify. "What sort of odd things?"
She was silent for a long moment as if thinking it over. "I could not possibly put it into words. Blast. I should not have drunk so much wine. My tongue is getting me into trouble."
'Twas getting him into trouble, too, for he could think of naught but consuming her delectable mouth. He kissed her forehead, instead.
She drew in a sharp breath and looked up at him. "You are a man unlike any other I have met."
Her words, spoken in a sincere tone while she stared directly into his soul, made him feel as if he'd been punched in the chest. "That could be a bad thing," he managed to utter.
"Nay, 'tis a very good thing." Her warm breath teased at his lips.
"Why do you bewitch me?" His heart pounded with restraint and temptation.
"Do I? I did not intend it."
"'Tis what makes it so potent." He brushed his mouth across hers.
