Page 265 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Leave,” Rhoslyn said between gritted teeth.

Isobel seemed to consider, then shrugged and left.

Talbot closed the door behind her, and Rhoslyn said, “Three months we have been married and already ye are taking a mistress—and in the room next to mine. Alec never treated me thusly.”

So Rhoslyn didn’t know her husband’s indiscretion. That didn’t surprise him.

“Things are not quite how they look,” Talbot said. His chest tightened when she swiped at a tear that slid down her cheek. He started toward her.

She backed up. “Stay away. Stay away and never come near me again.”

She whirled and he lunged, catching her arm. He swung her into his arms. She beat on his chest. Talbot hugged her close.

“Shh, Rhoslyn, listen to me.”

“Release me.” Tears streamed down her face unchecked.

Talbot lifted her into his arms.

“Nay,” she cried, but he strode into his room to the bed.

She twisted in an effort to break free and he crushed her to him.

“Cease fighting,” he commanded. “You will harm yourself and the babe.”

“Release me.” The words were filled with venom, but she stilled.

He pulled aside the curtain and laid her on the bed. “Do not move,” he said. She started to scoot to the far side of the bed. “Rhoslyn, I warn you.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Ye promised no’ to force me.”

“I do not intend to force you. But I will not allow you to injure yourself. Now, stay still.”

She didn’t move and he went to the table near the window and poured a goblet of wine then returned.

“Drink this.” He extended it toward her. She lifted her chin in defiance. “Rhoslyn, do not be foolish. Please, drink.”

She didn’t move for a moment, and he thought she intended to defy him, then she took the goblet and drank a heavy swig.

Talbot sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes, Isobel had her arms around me.”

“You were no’ resisting her,” Rhoslyn interjected.

“I was, in fact, resisting. Think about what you saw. I was reaching for her hands when you entered the room.”

“I saw you earlier in the bailey,” she said. “You were walking with her arm-in-arm. Ye were mighty cozy.”

“Should I run from her?” he asked.

Rhoslyn snorted. “A man doesna’ run from a beautiful woman.”

“You are the only beautiful woman I want, love.”

Her brows dove downward.

“If I intended to bed a woman, I would not do it in the room next to yours,” he said. “I am not that foolish, nor would I disrespect you in that manner.”

“That only means ye have a woman I do no’ know about, and Isobel wasna’ willing to wait.”

He shook his head. “It means I did not invite Lady Isobel here. There is no one else, Rhoslyn. I would not have the energy—even if I had the inclination. You please me.”

“Until I grow fat with child, then ye will find someone else quickly enough—if you havena’ already.”

Talbot took the goblet and set it on the table beside the bed. He pushed his braies and hose down his hips and tossed then aside, then got into bed.

“I will sleep in my own bed,” Rhoslyn said, but he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close, her back against his chest.

“Your cock is hard as a rock, St. Claire,” she said. “Ye canna’ tell me ye did not want Isobel. I have no wish to be in bed with a man who prefers another woman.” She tried to scoot away from him, but he held fast.

Talbot buried his face in her hair. “It is you I am in bed with, not Isobel.”

“Because I interfered,” she said.

“Because I choose you,” he countered. “Now go to sleep.”

He wondered how he would sleep with his bollocks so tight with need they felt as if they would burst. And his cock—he didn’t want to think about how good it would feel to fit himself more snuggly against Rhoslyn’s arse and slip inside her wet passage.

“Sleep,” he whispered into her hair, and couldn’t resist a deep inhale of her scent before forcing his thoughts away from the salty-sweet taste of her skin.