Page 227 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“The towel,” he said, “it is wet. Give it to me.”

She hesitated. Then yanked the cloth from her body and dragged the covers up to her chin. The chilled sheets elicited another, stronger shiver. St. Claire stepped back and loosened the ties on his breeches, then shoved them and his braies down his hips. Rhoslyn glimpsed his thick erection in the instant before she yanked her gaze up to his face.

He climbed into bed beside her and pulled her close. “The sheets are cool. I should have had the maid warm them.”

“It is all right,” Rhoslyn said, teeth chattering.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Her breasts pressed against with the warm, hard muscle of his chest and desire tightened her sex. Unexpected guilt surfaced. She was doing nothing wrong. Alec was gone. He wouldn’t ask her to remain barren and die alone. Yet, she hadn’t considered the possibility that she would marry again...that she would desire another man.

A nervous flitter stirred in her belly. She had been nervous with Alec, as any virgin would be with her husband, had cared for him, had desired him, but her feelings hadn’t been this intense. And that, she realized, was where her guilt originated. St. Claire had done nothing more than hold her against his naked body, and she trembled. Could he discern her reaction?

His member pulsed against her thigh. Her mouth went dry. Aye, he knew.

They lay, quiet, his heart thumping out a powerful beat against her breast. Why didn’t he roll on top of her and enter her? What would it feel like when he did? Embarrassment washed over her and she was glad he couldn’t see her face.

“Are you warmer?” he asked.

“Aye.”

“What do you think of my hiring men to work the land around Dunfrey Castle? I would have to hire a steward and an overlord. You must know men who I can trust.”

Was he asking about business at a time like this? “My grandfather would know men.”

“Perhaps, while the steward is learning, you could oversee his work. Ensure that he is honest and knows what he is doing.”

What was wrong with the man? It was obvious he wanted her. She had never known a man to talk business while making love to a woman. Unless... Was she nothing more than business to him?

“If ye wish,” she replied in a business-like manner. “As you know, I am proficient with numbers.”

“And with the servants.”

“What?” she said.

“You are good with the servants. They care for you.”

“I care for them.”

He nodded, his chin brushing the top of her head. He was going to drive her mad.

“You will probably have to hire someone to replace your cousin,” he said.

“My cousin—oh, aye. How have ye been getting along without him?”

“He left only the week before you returned home.”

“Returned home, that is what you call kidnapping me?”

“I saved you. Did you really want Melrose?”

The amusement in his voice pricked her pride. “He would make a good husband.”

“He would do as you commanded, you mean.”

That is exactly what she’d meant, but said, “A good husband knows when to listen to a wife.”

“I shall remember that.”

Was he going to talk all night long? Mayhap his desire had waned. She shifted slightly, then froze at the press of his very rigid cock against her thigh.