'Slud, he wished she wouldn't ask so many questions. "Because Wilona MacRae believes I murdered her son."
Dani gasped, her eyes flying wide. "You murdered someone?"
"Nay! They ambushed us when we returned from town one eve. We had our guards with us, but our foes still outnumbered us. We defended ourselves from the knaves. Silas MacRae and two of their guards died in the skirmish."
"Oh." Dani frowned. "Why would they attack you guys?"
"Saints," Gavin muttered. She asked more questions than any woman in the kingdom. "I have a cousin named Alpin MacTavish who wishes to steal the title and castle, so he can become chief of Clan MacTavish. Silas, Wilona's son, was Alpin's best friend. He helped in the ambush and charged me first. He cut my face and intended to kill me." Gavin touched the scar. "I had nay choice but to defend myself. Instead of sending an army in retaliation, Wilona used her powers of darkness to place a spell upon me and my whole clan, and my friends, Torr and Brodie."
"I see." Dani paced back and forth for a moment, then faced him. "So… if I agree to marry you, will you let me out of this stinking dungeon?"
Gavin studied her, easily seeing through her guise. She would falsely agree to marry him to gain her freedom. Though she didn't fear him like all the lasses about, she did not seem keen to wed him either. Though that's what she'd been sent to do. Would she disobey her laird?
In his heated dreams, he'd never seen the woman's face, but he suspected 'twas Dani. How? He didn't know. The sound of her voice, the scent of her skin, the feeling that radiated through him when he touched her. Would his vivid dreams about her come close to reality?
Arousal had stirred within him the instant he'd entered this cell, but now he grew stone-hard just from looking at her, talking to her. "Before we decide for certain whether we should wed, I wish you to kiss me."
Her startled gaze searched his face. "Why?"
"To see if we suit." Pretending nonchalance, he shrugged, though he felt anything but. In fact, he could hardly breathe for the anticipation surging through him at the thought of her lips on his.
Her expression halfway between suspicious and intrigued, she watched him a moment longer. "Okay." With a deep breath, she took a step forward.
Her courage magnified his desire and so did her nearness. The sweet, feminine scent of her hair reached him. He wanted to bury his face in her straight dark locks and inhale her. But even more, he wanted a taste of her.
Coming closer still and standing before him on her tiptoes, she clutched the plaid gathered over his chest and gazed up at him, her eyes darkening. Was she as drawn to him as he was to her? He hoped with all his might 'twould be so.
He bent forward, within easy reach, but allowed her to make the first move. He expected an innocent, quick peck, which she gave him, but… she did not draw away. Eyes closing, she pressed her lips to his again, slower this time, then touched her tongue to his lips. A scorching bolt of desire blasted through him, snapping his control. Reckless, he lifted her, tight against his body. He could not hold her close enough. The tantalizing sensation of her wrapping her legs around his waist near took his sanity.
Deepening the kiss, he slid his tongue into her mouth, reveling in the sweetness of her—heaven and delicious, sinful oblivion. He couldn't draw away from her even should his life depend upon it. Aye, she was the perfect woman for him. He had never felt such fiery lust.
She showed no timidity or trepidation. Instead, his fierce kisses roused her more. Her arms clasped around his neck, tugging him closer. Her soft moans urged him to press harder against her.
Cursing the clothing between them, he yearned to yank them away and indulge—he didn't think she would object—but he couldn't. Not now. First, he had to make sure she followed through with marrying him. She was unpredictable and might change her mind. Besides, he didn't wish to frighten or offend her. He would show his future wife the respect she deserved.
The way she devoured his kisses and moaned his name. Saints! He had never kissed a lass who gave as good as she got. She would set his bedsheets ablaze.
Someone had taught her to kiss like a courtesan. She was a wee bit experienced, but he didn't care. He desired her and no one else.
When he broke the kiss, he found he had her pressed against the stone wall. He stared into her darkened, languid eyes.
"Why did you stop?" she whispered.
Damnation, he didn't want to. It took all his willpower to lower her to the floor and step back. His raging desire wouldn't diminish anytime soon. "I refuse to take advantage of you, lass. You've satisfied my curiosity." He nodded. "We will get on well in the bedchamber. I'm glad you've agreed to marry me."
"Did I?" she blurted.
They stared at each other for a long moment in a battle of wills.
Chapter 7
"Um, yeah. Okay. I'll marry you." Dani crossed her fingers behind her back. Even though Gavin was hotter than a firecracker, and she wanted to jump his bones, that didn't mean she wanted to marry him tonight. Having only met him in person for the second time, she couldn't make a lifetime decision.
Would he see through her lie? Or would she discover she spoke a disturbing truth—that she would have no choice but to marry him? Or maybe she would decide she actually wanted him for a husband.
Nah. She couldn't be that dopy, could she?
Either way, she couldn't reveal she'd traveled from the future, else he might label her insane and have her committed to some horrendous insane asylum. Or he might even accuse her of witchcraft, as his guard had.
