Page 69 of My Notorious Highlander

She shivered, not because the room was cold, but because the look in Torrin's eyes was so hot.

He lifted her and carried her across the floor to his bed, drawing her nipple into his mouth at the same time.

Tremors of delight coursing through her, she arched her back and held him close. He feasted upon her breasts, stimulating the nipples to hard points. His shaft lay heavy and hard as granite against her lower abdomen. She slipped her hand down and traced her fingertips along its feverish length, then squeezed it, eliciting a groan from him.

"You have awoken the beast, now." He sat back on his heels, grabbed her ankle and bit it playfully.

She giggled but in the next second, he was between her thighs, spreading her legs. He stroked a thumb through her moisture, then hissed a curse.

Leaning his long body over hers, he guided his shaft into her, the sensation filling her with intensifying arousal. Aye, she wanted more. Lifting her hips to meet his first slow thrust, she moaned.

With dark, intense eyes, he observed her, gradually increasing the pace. His body completely bewitched her, filling her with magical sensations she'd never imagined possible. When they grew too powerful to bear, she closed her eyes and held her breath. The swirling pleasures crashed and exploded. She wanted to scream, but Torrin's mouth was devouring hers, muffling her cries.

Somehow, he drew the pleasure out, on and on, then he shoved hard against her and held himself there, deep within her, growling between clenched teeth against her ear.

"Saints, Jessie," he hissed. "Tha gràdh agam ort."

She froze. Did he say I love you? Maybe she'd misheard.

He collapsed beside her and drew her close against his side.

Mo chreach. He hadn't just told her he loved her, had he?

She listened as his harsh breathing calmed, hoping he wouldn't remember what he'd said. She knew not how she felt about his confession. Did it mean anything, or was he simply caught up in the heat of passion? MacBain had also told her he loved her, and 'twas obvious how that turned out. He'd lied.

She didn't think Torrin was lying, but mayhap those words didn't mean the same thing to men as they did to women.

"I missed you, Jessie," he said between a whisper and a mumble, sounding half asleep. He drew her close into his arms and his breathing evened out. She glanced up at him. Was he asleep already? He must have been exhausted from the long day of searching for Aiden, in addition to the battle.

Remembering how he'd said he loved her, she remained tense while he slept, her mind spinning over the possibilities, along with the problems. She had already feared she was falling in love with him. Regardless of how they felt about each other, she couldn't marry him if she was barren. A chief and laird couldn't have a barren wife. He would likely grow to resent her over the years if she couldn't provide an heir.

Her eyes burning with tears, she slipped from beneath his arm and slid from the bed. She dressed quietly in the firelight, then crept out the door.

A fiery tryst was all they could ever have.

Chapter Twelve

His long gray hair blowing in the strong wind, McMurdo rushed from the edge of the cliff toward Haldane. "A garrison of men is approaching from the south."

"How many and who are they?" Haldane threw down the rabbit bone he'd just cleaned off, breaking his fast.

"Have no inkling who yet, but there are about three dozen."

"God's teeth." Haldane followed McMurdo to the crest of a hill where Gil had been posted as lookout. They stayed low and out of sight. Indeed, a small army approached through the morning mist. Most on horseback. Some on foot. All heavily armed, from what he could see. "'Tis not Dirk's party." Nay, the plaids were unfamiliar and some were dressed in a Lowland style, wearing trews and knee breeches.

McMurdo shook his head.

"We're outnumbered, but we have no quarrel with them. We'll go down and see who they are… and what their mission is." Haldane instructed every man with a bow to guard their backs. "Come." Haldane scrambled down the grassy hillside, stumbling over loose rocks and heather, McMurdo behind him.

When the regiment drew nearer, he and McMurdo stepped out beside the trail, no weapons in their hands, but close at their sides if needed. The clan's dark-haired leader, riding a fine chestnut stallion, halted and held up his hand. All the men following him stopped.

Haldane recognized him immediately as Gregor MacBain, Chief of Clan MacBain, the man Jessie had entered into a trial marriage with two or three years ago. His daft sister had not pleased the man, and he'd sent her home.

"Chief MacBain, 'tis good to see you again," Haldane called out.

"Who are you?" the man demanded, frowning.

"Haldane MacKay. Lady Jessie is my sister. We met only once." Haldane slowly moved forward and held up his hand for the man to shake.