She gave him her best glare. "I am not! I simply have a bright outlook. And you, sir, are gloomy."
"'Tis true. Curses tend to do that." Torr was tempted to kiss the displeased pout from Cat's lush lips. He glanced around to see if anyone watched but saw only a couple of small birds in a nearby bush.
"What are you looking for?" she asked suspiciously.
He focused on her again. "Checking to see if anyone is following us."
"Who would do such a thing?" Her gaze skimmed over the glen with unease.
He hadn't meant to frighten her. 'Twas only an excuse for his wayward thoughts. "'Haps a man who saw a beautiful lady pass."
Her brows shot up, and her surprised gaze locked with his. She cocked her head. "Which lady do you speak of?"
"I'm looking at her."
She grinned and blushed. "Are you toying with me, Torr MacElrath?"
Arousal curled through him, for she was the one toying with him. "Nay. Merely speaking the truth."
She bit her plump lower lip and moved closer, enticing him. 'Haps he shouldn't have been so transparent. He found her lovely beyond words, but 'twould be lunacy to kiss her again. Wouldn't it?
With a coy grin, she gazed up at him expectantly.
He supposed he was a madman, for he could not resist leaning down and capturing her luscious lips, which she offered so generously. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her flush against his chest. Saints, but she was supple and curvy in all the right places. And eager. She kissed him back with much enthusiasm.
His desire burgeoning, he fantasized about laying her upon the soft grass and giving her a carnal education.
At first, he told himself 'twas pure lust that lured him, but in the depths of the earth-shaking kiss, he realized 'twas far more. A feeling he'd never experienced before... one that he couldn't put a name to. With her small but strong hands, she clung onto his clothing. He wished she would rip it from his body. His heated skin thirsted for her delicate touch.
Her mouth was so sweet and delectable; he could feast on her for days. Prior to their first kiss, it had seemed a lifetime ago that he'd last kissed a woman... or mayhap 'twas simply that he'd never kissed a woman like her.
Catriona soaked in everything about Torr—his entrancing male scent. The taste of wine on his lips. The hard muscles of his chest against her breasts. The way he kissed her, it seemed he wished to devour her. 'Twas what she wanted too, for she could not get enough of him.
She slid her hands around his neck and into his thick hair. He was like heaven on earth. There was no chance she would be happy marrying anyone but him.
Abruptly, he drew away from her and muttered a curse. "'Tis time to go."
She stumbled with the quick release, and her head spun. Saints, her mind was so muddled she couldn't even think of anything to say. Torr had kissed her senseless.
After stomping away, he retrieved their horses from the stream bank and led them up the slight incline.
"Are you ready to mount?" Avoiding her gaze, he checked her saddle and girth strap.
"Aye."
Her mind still floated on soft, pillowy clouds as he lifted her into the saddle. The touch of his strong hands did that to her... and the memory of that kiss. She tried to get her breathing under control. But when he handed her the reins, his warm, rough fingers brushed over hers, making her breath catch and her skin tingle.
Sigh.
She wanted to tell him how amazing he was, but his expression remained shuttered and surly. Besides, he would not even look at her.
Why was he vexed with her over a kiss? She hadn't kissed him first. He'd done it. Maybe he was angry at himself.
Did he not enjoy it as she had? Did he think her a strumpet because she had willingly accepted the kiss? 'Haps she should cool her ardor, lest he refuse to help her anymore.
She would allow him to do the seducing. But would he? She had no patience, blast it! She had been smitten with him for far too long. What could she do to capture his attention without seeming too forward?
After he mounted, they rode side by side.
Their pace was a brisk trot, but her entire focus was not on riding. Instead, she tried to figure out ways she could subtly attract him. She feared that after only a couple of kisses from him, she was addicted.
Without warning, her mare laid back her ears and snorted. Before Catriona could glance around to see what had caused this reaction, Rosie bolted forward into a wild gallop.
Catriona let out a panicked shriek.
