Page 86 of A Touch So Wicked

Elissa was tempted. She missed Damian’s arms around her, his lips on hers, the thrill of his lovemaking. She turned her face away.

“Elissa, look at me.” Reluctantly, she returned her gaze to his.

“Tell me. Do you still believe Kimbra is carrying my child?”

“I…nay. I’ve come to realize that Kimbra is a vicious witch who wanted to hurt me.”

“Thank God,” Damian breathed. “I don’t want Kimbra. I never did. She didn’t care whom she hurt so long as it benefitted her own selfish needs. Half the women in London are like her.”

“At least we agree on something,” Elissa muttered.

Damian’s silver eyes held a mischievous glint. “There is more than one thing we agree upon. We want one another.”

“Good night, Damian,” Elissa said, torn by feelings she shouldn’t be having.

“Kiss me good night, Elissa,” he repeated. “I won’t leave until you do.”

Elissa sighed and lifted her face, determined to endure his sensual assault calmly. The moment his lips touched hers, however, her resolve melted like a candle exposed to flame. His kiss deepened. She tasted his need and leaned into him as his tongue nudged her mouth open for a leisurely exploration.

Damian groaned and pulled her closer. She was trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind as he scooped her into his arms and carried her into her chamber, slamming the door behind him. The sound returned Elissa’s wits.

“Damian, nay! You said you’d wait.”

Elissa sensed the conflicting emotions battering Damian as he fought his conscience. Though she wanted him, she refused to succumb to her own unquenchable need. She still battled with her guilt for wanting an Englishman.

“Do you really want to wait?” Damian asked hoarsely.

“You gave your word. ’Tis a test of whether or not I can trust you in our future dealings.”

Damian let her slide down the length of his hard body until her feet touched the floor. “You win, Elissa, but you won’t always have your way. I choose to submit to your wishes this time, but once we are wed that could change. Sleep well, my lady. Pleasant dreams.”

Damian left the chamber and rested his head against the closed door. He was shaking from head to toe. It had nearly cost him his sanity to leave Elissa untouched. He started violently when Nan materialized from the deep shadows.

“Are ye well, me lord?”

Startled, Damian pushed away from the door. “Aye, why do you ask?”

“Ye look shaken.”

“Perhaps I am,” Damian admitted. “Elissa would drive a saint insane.”

“And ye are no saint, are ye, yer lordship?”

“Hardly,” Damian chuckled. “I’m glad for this chance to talk with you, Nan. I can’t get out of my mind what you said about Elissa. Does she truly carry my child? She denies it emphatically.”

“One denies what one refuses to believe,” Nan replied cryptically. “Mayhap Elissa doesna wish to wed a man who doesna love her. Mayhap she wants ye to wed her for herself, not because she carries yer bairn.”

“I want to wed Elissa for many reasons,” Damian said, defending himself. Suddenly he grinned. “If she doesn’t carry my child now, she soon will.”

Nan nodded her head in agreement; then her expression abruptly turned to one of concern. “I sought ye out tonight to warn ye, me lord.”

Damian became instantly alert. “Is Elissa in danger?”

“Mayhap. My ‘voices’ say that soon Elissa will face an unknown peril. She must take care. Donna trust the Gordon chieftain, his heart is black with vengeance. He will come for the wedding, but I advise ye to turn him away.”

Damain considered Nan’s words. “I can’t do that, Nan. I invited him to the wedding and can’t turn him away.”

“Then beware, yer lordship.”