Page 52 of My Notorious Highlander

Her pulse thumped in her throat. "You must go."

"Why?"

"Just because we… doesn't mean…" she faltered, unsure about saying such brazen words to him.

"What? I'm not sure I follow." He sauntered forward, removing the brooch holding his plaid in place at his chest.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Undressing." He unclasped his belt. It dropped along with his plaid.

Unable to believe he was getting naked in her bedchamber, she realized her mouth was gaping and snapped it shut. What if someone had seen him enter her chamber? He slid the linen shirt over his head and tossed it, leaving him bare.

She swallowed hard, her eyes tracing over his long, muscular body, the likes of which she'd never imagined and certainly never seen before today.

His lengthy shaft was growing erect. The memory of their joining earlier that day overcame her and she could scarce breathe.

"I love the way you look in that tub," he said, kneeling on the floor beside her. His dark green eyes in the candlelight mesmerized her. "I've already bathed, but I wouldn't mind doing so again." Leaning forward, he slid his hand along her cheek and captured her lips. His tongue teased her lips apart and slipped into her mouth. She opened, shocked to realize she wanted to devour him. He tasted of peaty whisky and his own unique essence, which further rendered her senseless.

He moaned and she became aware of her hands fisting in his thick hair. Surprised at her brazen response to him, she immediately released him.

He pulled back, raising a brow. "'Tis a big tub. Mind if I join you?" Without waiting for her to answer, he stood and stepped into the tub. Pulling her legs out of the way, she caught a glimpse of muscular thighs, his erect shaft and his rippled abdomen as he sat opposite her. Oh heavens. Just a glance at him set her body on fire.

He sank into the water and sat back. "Ahh. Feels good, aye?"

She had never imagined bathing with a man before, but she supposed 'twas not much different from swimming naked in the sea with a man. She had a feeling she was going to enjoy it just as much. How shocking she was. If the maids learned of this, they'd be gossiping. But she couldn't run him off; her lust-filled body wouldn't allow her to. Damn him for bewitching her.

Reclining, he watched her with half-closed eyes. "Jessie?"

She nodded.

"What are you thinking?"

"How much I hate you."

He snorted. "Liar." He studied her intently. "You like me. You liked what we did today on that beach. And I sure as hell did."

Heat rushed over her, scalding her more completely than hot water ever could.

"Aye. 'Twas a tryst," she admitted. "But that doesn't mean 'tis going to happen again."

He lifted a brow, looking suddenly serious, determined and a wee bit intimidating. "Come over here." Grasping her hand, he tugged at her.

"Nay! You cannot simply order me about. Maybe you're used to doing that with your other women, but I'm not them." She resisted, trying to pull her wet hand from his, but he held her in place.

"Stop arguing," he said softly. "I have no other women. Do you want the maids or guards to start pounding on the door, wondering what the ruckus is?"

"Nay." She dropped silent and still, her gaze darting to the door briefly.

"Well, then, behave yourself." He gave her a light, playful slap on the arse.

She ended up on her knees between his legs, a very enticing position, with her hands on his broad shoulders.

"I mean to have you, Jessie MacKay," he murmured, his breath teasing her lips and his hands caressing her derriere. "And not just once or twice."

She pushed against his shoulders. "Until you tire of me."

"I'll never tire of you." His words were spoken with quiet conviction.