Highland Wolf (Highland Brides) by Lois Greiman Page B

Norseman had. "Why didna ye tell me that afore?"
    "In truth, 'tis none of your affair."
    Her skin looked smooth as a Highland loch.
    "I'd like ta make it me affair, lass," he said, and leaned toward her lips.
    "I told ya," she said, quickly pressing back against the wall. "'E's very jealous."
    Their faces were less than a handsbreadth apart.
    "Me too," Roman whispered, leaning closer still.
    "And powerful," she added, smacking a palm to his chest.
    They stared at each other in silence for a moment then Roman eased her hand from his chest and held it in his. Gently, he turned it up and kissed the center of her palm.
    "A bonny hand," he murmured, then kissed her fingers, one at a time and slowly. "With bonny fingers. Slim. Delicate."
    "And 'e's wealthy," she said, but her words were barely audible.
    "Who?"
    "My ..-." she began, but just then he sucked the tip of her pinky into his mouth and raised his gaze to hers. "Lover," she managed somewhat breathlessly.
    Releasing her finger, he gently kissed her wrist. A pulse beat there, hot and wild. He held her arm in one hand while sliding his fingers along it with the other. She shivered at his touch then gasped when he kissed the sensitive crease of her elbow.
    "What's his name?" Roman whispered the question against her skin. It smelled of a thousand flavors, from cinnamon to sweet wine. It made him think of others places, just as soft, yet even more intoxicating.
    "Lass?" he said softly.
    "What?" The word was little more than a breathy gasp.
    "What's his name?"
    "Who?"
    He had never played the rogue, but her tone flattered him, and he chuckled. "Yer lover's."
    "Oh." She made a halfhearted attempt to pull her hand away, but he held it easily. "That's none of your—"
    "I dunna believe there is a lover," he said, and touched his tongue gently to her arm.
    "There is," she gasped, trying to pull away.
    "Ye lie," he said, and trailed his kisses past her elbow.
    "I do not."
    "If there were a man, ye'd tell me his name. But since there's not, ye've na reason to bar me from yer—"
    "Harry!" She said the name quickly. "'Is name is Harry."
    He stared at her. She was breathing fast and deep. "'Tis a most common name," he chided.
    "Well, I assure ya, 'e's not a common man," she said, trying again to wrest her arm away. " 'E's a nobleman."
    He let her take her arm back but trapped her between his own again as he placed his palms on the wall. "A nobleman's lackey, ye mean."
    "A duke," she said, pursing her lips. They were fine lips, lush, full, cherry bright.
    "I canna help but wonder," he said then paused to watch her watch him. "Could yer lips be as sweet as they look?"
    "Don't you dare try it," she warned.
    He leaned closer still. "Why not?"
    She pushed her back against the wall even harder. "He'd ... 'e'd be terrible mad."
    "Who?"
    'The duke."
    "Does he scare ye, lass?" he whispered.
    "What?" Their gazes met with a jolt.
    "Does he hurt ye?"
    For a moment she seemed transfixed, but then she shook her head jerkily. "Course not. 'E's sweet and considerate."
    "And skilled?" he asked, slipping his hand up her arm and across her shoulder to her neck. It was as smooth and soft as rich velvet. He watched her swallow.
    "Skilled?" Did her voice squeak?
    "Does he make ye shiver at his touch." He slid his fingers up her slim throat. She trembled as if on command. "Does he make yer blood run hot and wild?" he asked, touching the throbbing pulse in her neck.
    Her eyes were as wide as a doe's. "Ahh. Yeah."
    "I think ye lie again, lass."
    "I don't."
    "I've met me share of dukes. They're a boring lot."
    "Not... 'arry."
    "Do ye love him then?"
    He watched her face, sensed her emotions, evaluated her silence.
    "Has he tamed the wild vixen of the Red Fox?"
    She snorted and straightened somewhat, seeming more like the fiery lass he had met less than four days ago. "Do I look a dolt?" she asked. The sauciness had returned to her tone. " I ain't foolish enough ta love 'im. But I ain't stupid enough ta turn down