Page 25 of The Laird’s Sinful Claim

"What are you doing?" Elinor tried to prop the pillows back up, but he was stronger.

"Gettin' comfortable. These pillows are in me way."

"They're supposed to be in your way!"

"Well, they're nae daein' a very good job of it." He tossed one pillow to the floor. "There. Now we both have one."

"I had two!"

"Now ye have one. Life's full of disappointments."

Elinor glared at him, but it was hard to maintain proper outrage when he was lying there looking entirely too pleased with himself. "You're enjoying this."

"Maybe a little." He shifted, getting comfortable. "Ye make it easy."

"I make it—" She turned her back to him, pulling the blanket up over her shoulder. "Go to sleep."

"Gladly. If ye'd stop squirmin' around."

"I'm not squirming."

"Ye're absolutely squirmin'. Ye've moved at least six times in the past minute."

She had been moving. Trying to find a position where she couldn't feel his warmth, couldn't hear his breathing, couldn't think about the fact that he was right there, close enough to touch.

"I can't sleep," she admitted finally.

"Why nae?"

"Because you're here."

"I'm nae leavin'."

"I know that." She twisted again, the chemise tangling around her legs. "But I can't relax with you so close."

"Ye're goin' tae have tae get used tae it eventually. We're married now."

"That daesnae mean I have tae like it."

David was quiet for so long she thought he might have fallen asleep. Then she felt his hand on her shoulder, warm through the thin fabric of her shift.

She froze.

His hand. On my shoulder. Warm. Heavy. Real.

Every nerve in Elinor's body came alive at once. Her breath caught in her throat, her heart hammering so loudly she was certain he could hear it.

"What are you doing?"

"Helpin' ye relax."

"By touching me? That's does the opposite of relaxing to me."

Liar. You're a liar, Elinor Royse. Because some traitorous part of you is already melting under his touch.

She hated that part. Hated how her body betrayed her, how the tension she'd been carrying for days seemed to drain away under the gentle pressure of his thumb.

"Is it?" His thumb moved in a slow circle, finding a knot of tension near her neck.