Page 107 of The Highlander Is All That

He turned to her, which put his face in shadow, but she heard the smile in his voice. “Are you trying to get me naked, young Anne?”

Oh, she loved when he called her that. She couldn’t hide her grin. “Would that be so wrong?”

Again, he stilled. He was silent for some time. Then he said, in a low voice, “What are you saying, Anne?”

She batted her lashes at him. “I think you know what I mean.” And then, as he stood, she laughed and said, “You have been on the road for the better part of a week.”

His disappointment was palpable, which, conversely, delighted her. “That I have,” he said on a sigh. “Do you think you can handle the sight of a naked man?”

“I am hardly some swooning innocent.”

His expression was wry.

“I’m not.”

“Still,” he said somberly. “I doona think it would be wise for me to be naked in your presence.”

“Do you think you would lose your mind and ravage me?” Oh. Please.

His grin was crooked. “Quite the opposite. Women often lose their minds and ravage me when they see me in all my glory.”

“It’s a good thing you are humble.”

“Indeed, it is.”

But all banter aside, she did want to see him in all his glory. “If it will help, I will close my eyes.”

“Do you promise?” he asked. “I am terribly shy.”

“Of course.” Her smile was mischievous. The lie tasted delicious.

“Heaven only knows what will happen if you peek.”

“Do tell.”

“I might indeed lose my mind and ravage you.” Suddenly, he didn’t seem to be teasing at all. She sobered as well and stared at him.

“What are you saying, Ranald?”

“You have to know I’ve wanted you since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Oh heavens! She’d suspected, but to hear him say it . . . Well, that was something else entirely. Her pulse pattered in her chest.

“I’ve kept my hands to myself because you made clear you were no’ interested in that kind of relationship with a man. If you havena changed your mind . . . say so now.”

She swallowed heavily. This was the moment of truth. “I . . . have.”

His gaze narrowed. He seemed to go on point. “You have . . . what?”

“I have changed my mind.” She couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Dear God.”

Instead of rushing to her side and sweeping her into his arms as she expected—and hoped—he began clanging around by the hearth.

She frowned. “What are you doing?”

He stopped and glared at her. “If you think I am making love to you for the first time without bathing, you are mad.”