Page 53 of The Highland Heir

“I think he may have broken a rib.”

“Do you want me to look at it?”

“Nay,” he said too quickly.

She cocked her head at him.

“Are you worried I’ll not be able to keep mywits if I were to touch you when you were not wearing a shirt?”

“It’s not your wits that are inquestion.”

She smiled at the compliment he’d unknowinglypaid her. She rather liked the thought of him not being in controlof himself when he was near her.

“I must go wash for the meal. That is, if youhave saved anything back for me.” He tilted his head inquestion.

“Of course, I have.”

“Then I’ll be back after a cold dip in theloch.”

“Mmm.” The sound slipped out as she imaginedhim naked with loch water trailing down his golden skin.

“I beg of ye, Ella. Never make that soundagain when ye are near me.”

She laughed, but when he stepped closer toher, the smile fell from her lips. He was so close she could feelhis breath in her hair. She could feel his arousal pressed againsther hip as she looked up at him, caught in his gaze. The lightgreen had gone darker, for the blacks of his eyes had grownlarge.

She swallowed and felt the response of herbody. Her breasts ached as her nipples tightened. Her heartpounded, and her breathing turned to short pants.

And just when she considered reaching up ontiptoe to kiss him, he stepped back again, leaving her chilled fromthe lack of his heat.

“I’ll remind ye, Ellisay Carra Ross, I am notthe only one of us vulnerable to such things.” The smirk on hissmug face reminded her of their many pranks over the years.

“And I’ll remind you that I do not shy awayfrom your threats, Kieran James Sinclair.”

He growled, but it was not of anger. It waspure desire.

In the end, they managed to keep their handsoff of each other for three days. It was a valiant effort but adoomed campaign, for neither of them wanted to give up theremaining time they had together.

They had agreed to go hunting one morning,fearing people would think it strange if they did not.

She did her best to keep distance betweenthem, but while they hunted it was often easier if they were closerso they might whisper to one another without scaring theirgame.

She turned to tell him something at the sametime he turned toward her.

They both breathed long and slow, but at thesame time they lurched for each other, and soon they were on theground rolling about and kissing.

“Damn these breeches,” Kieran complained ashe unfastened her falls and tugged the tight buckskins down herlegs before removing her boots.

She rather enjoyed his eagerness and managedto remove her clothes in time for him to fall on her. The groanthat came from them when they finally joined scared the birds fromtheir roosts.

“Ella, I’ve thought of this every minutesince we returned home,” he said with heavy breaths.

“I haven’t been able to sleep. I think of youand have to touch myself the way you touched me to relieve myselfof the tension.”

“Ye touch yourself?” he asked, his brighteyes even wider with shock. When he pulled away, she nearly criedfor wanting him where he was. “Show me,” he demanded.

“What?” She didn’t understand and wasovercome by dissatisfaction when he left her body so abruptly.

“Touch yourself the way you did at night inyour bed. I want to see it.”