Page 118 of Bond of a Bewitched Highlander

She held on to his arm as they proceeded down the corridor and into his bedchamber. A warm fire burned in the hearth, lighting the room.

"Do you want me to help you with your clothes?" she asked.

The suggestion was tantalizing, but he suspected he might black out if he attempted any sort of seduction right now.

"I can do it." He fumbled with his penannular brooch, unable to get it unlatched.

"Let me." She stepped forward.

With nimble fingers, she released the brooch, which drove fiery lust through him. He could scarce inhale, and dizziness threatened. The memory of what they'd shared in the cave near suffocated him. He hadn't been able to see her stunning beauty then, in the pitch darkness, as he could now in the firelight.

"In the cave," he murmured. "I should nay have—"

She placed a finger over his lips, stopping his words, her beautiful azure eyes piercing his soul, pinning him to the spot. "I wanted you," she whispered.

He took her finger between his teeth and bit gently. How could he want to worship and devour every inch of a woman who had destroyed him?

Her eyes darkened as she stared at his mouth.

Taking her hand, he flicked her fingertip with his tongue, then drew back. "Do you still?" He kissed her palm.

Her breathing uneven, she nodded. "I will always want you. And I will always—"

It was his turn to place his finger over her lips. "Shh."

Her gaze searched his.

"You are trying to break the curse, bewitching lass," he said. "'Twill nay work unless you mean it."

She pulled back, frowning. "I mean it. Must you always be so vexing and ornery?"

"'Tis my nature."

She shook her head. "When first we met, you were a kind gentleman."

"Aye, well, someone turned me into a beast."

Besides, he'd been so smitten with her back then, his behavior had taken a drastic turn. He recalled placing the betrothal ring on her finger in the great hall of Kincreag Castle, while her whole clan looked on, smiling dreamily. That had been a dream for him, too, but 'twas easily shattered.

He did not see the cord of the necklace on her now. Although the front of the gown reached almost to that enticing little dip at the base of her throat, most of her shoulders were bare, exposing a luscious amount of smooth skin. Suddenly, he was aware his fingers were stroking her warm, silken neck and part of her shoulders.

"Where's the ring?" he asked.

Chapter 23

Brodie's warm, roughened fingertips stroking Elsea's neck and shoulder shot tingles shivering through her body, stealing her thoughts. The captivating whiff of him—a blend of Scots pine, whisky, herbal soap, and his own unique male scent—incited her heart to beat even more erratically.

The ring.

When had he seen it on the cord around her neck? How had he seen it? She always kept it hidden beneath her clothing.

She narrowed her eyes. "Which ring?"

His lips quirked, inviting and bittersweet. "I think you ken. You had it on a necklace." He dropped his hand. "Why were you wearing it, wee warrior?" His voice was curious, almost teasing. His gaze drew her in and held her captive, as it always had, his brown eyes so dark they were almost black. A challenge gleamed there, but also... interest. He was just inebriated enough to lower some of his barriers.

"How do you know about it?"

"I saw it," he murmured, glancing at her shoulder and neck.