Page 65 of Highland Ruse

He was staring at her as if he did. The intensity of his gaze left her hot and hungry.

“I want to know what you want.” It was a coward’s way out, but she couldn’t stop the words.

“I want ye.” He gave the answer earnestly and without hesitation.

He stared down at her as he had when they’d traveled, as if she were an unreachable woman he wanted.

“You want me,” Delilah repeated.

Kaid’s fingertips brushed down her cheek and along her jaw. It was all she could do not to tilt her head back against the luxury of his touch.

“I’m enjoying discovering the woman ye are, Delilah.” The intimacy behind his silky whisper sent decadent chills down her body.

She loved the sound of her name on his lips. Her name, in the gentle burr of his brogue.

“And what kind of woman am I?” she asked in a flirtatious tone.

“Ye’re no’ the pampered woman ye pretended to be when we met. Ye had a determination to ye, and I see now that was Delilah and no’ Elizabeth.” He spoke low enough that they would not be overheard. “Ye’re strong, both in spirit and in body. Ye fight like a man, but ye’re still delicate like a woman when ye look at me the way ye are now. And for all yer fortitude, yer heart is fragile and genuine.”

The threat of tears left Delilah’s face blazing. No one had ever seen her in such a way. He saw who she was as he’d seen her physical appearance—a beauty she had never found in herself.

“Delilah.” His mouth was now a whisper away from her own. She tilted her face toward his, wanting to feel the familiar touch of his lips on hers. Not wanting to—needing to.

His hand slid over her face. His skin was warm despite being wet and in such a cold and dark room. Outside a crack of thunder sounded overhead, followed by the quiet roar of a hearty rain.

But it was not the weather which held her attention, it was Kaid, and how much she needed the escape of his kiss.

“Delilah,” he said again. “Ye’re exquisite.”

Exquisite.

The word coiled around the wounded place deep in her heart, wrapping it in a balm more soothing than she had ever known.

She had but a moment to savor the flattery before his mouth came down on hers, deep and delicious. Droplets of water from the tips of his hair dripped onto her shoulders, cold against the sudden burning heat of her skin.

All the memories she’d kept brushing away tumbled through her mind. The masculine scent of him, the scrape of his whiskered chin against hers as they kissed, the low groan he gave when they’d coupled.

She could lose herself in him again just as easily.

He caught her lower lip between his teeth, nipping it sensually before his tongue brushed hers.

Delilah’s body smoldered with a desire so strong, her knees went slack beneath its force.

She wanted him. All of him.

Now.

The rasping sound of a throat being cleared echoed on the stonework around them. They flew apart like lovers caught.

For isn’t that what they were?

Rhona’s steely gaze met theirs.

“I dinna think ye’ll get much for the lass from MacKenzie if ye have her first.” Her scolding came out in a singsong tone.

Delilah’s cheeks scalded with shame, but Rhona looked right through her toward Kaid. “I’ve brought ye more of yer sleeping draught.”

Rhona strode forward and pushed her gnarled fingers into Kaid’s palm, intentionally standing between him and Delilah. A flash of glass showed against his hand.