Page 9 of The Ruthless Laird's Virgin
“Ye are either very brave or a fool to be caught in a storm like that,” Callum drawled from the bed.
Stiffening instantly, Eleanor felt her spine go rigid as she slowly let go of the handle and turned away from the door. It had been a full day since she had come to the cabin, and she had attempted to avoid the laird as much as she could. Looking around the cabin, she suddenly became aware of a very important absence. “Has Fiona nae returned?” She placed her hands behind her back and almost leaned against the wood with her palms.
For a brief moment, she considered going back outside and braving the storm. Her mind quickly changed, however, when a flash of lightning lit up the dark sky outside.
The laird’s eyes raked over her body as if he were taking in every inch of her. “Nae, but I wouldnae worry about her, Fiona kens these lands better than any man in the highlands. She would have taken shelter somewhere safe by now.”
Her heart began to race as her breathing deepened.
Alone in the cabin with the laird? And for how long?
She swallowed hard as rain lashed against the windowpane above his bed, threatening to burst through if conditions got any worse.
The laird shifted slightly on the bed as if he were trying to get a better angle to view her. He still wore nothing more than the simple, thin animal skin over his loins.
Heat crept up the back of her neck, making her avert her gaze as the skin slipped ever so slightly, revealing a portion of his thick, muscled thigh from the side. She cleared her throat and pushed herself off the door as she headed toward the fire that was crackling peacefully in the hearth.
There was nothing that she could think of saying to him, even though he had implied she had been a fool. The sky had not been clear when she had left the cabin for a walk, but she had thought that she would be able to make it back in time before the storm broke. She had been wrong.
A heavy silence filled the cabin behind her as she held her hands out to the flames, coaxing the warmth into them.
“Ye will want to take off that dress…”
Eleanor’s eyes instantly widened as she curled her fingers into her palms and held her breath.
What do I do now?
Her pulse raced with every uneven beat of her heart as she slowly turned back toward the bed. “I beg yer pardon?” Her voice was thin and frail despite the courage she had attempted to muster.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a smirk that caught her off guard. “I am nae sayin’ what ye think, lass. Ye should change yer dress before ye catch a cold.”
Shame flooded her cheeks with heat as she drew her lower lip between her teeth, wishing that the floor would swallow her whole.
Allowing the smirk to linger on his lips, Callum held her gaze. “Ye surprise me, lass, for such a fine woman from Edinburgh, ye certainly have an adventurous imagination.” He winked at her.
Eleanor’s cheeks caught fire, making her face burn hotter than the fire behind her. “I… I didnae…” She struggled to find the words to defend herself. The truth was that she had been thinking exactly what he was implying.
“Ye didnae what, lass? Ye Didnae think that I was askin’ ye to…”
She cut him off sharply. “I didnae!” She crossed her arms over her chest, feeling more foolish than she had after being caught in the storm.
Amusement danced in his eyes as his smirk broadened into a teasing smile.
“Daenae, look at me like that,” she said, almost in a huff.
“Like what?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Like ye find the situation amusing.” She averted her gaze again when he turned onto his side and propped his head up on one hand.
Can he nae put on some clothes?
She almost began to tap her foot in irritation as she pushed the image of his toned abdomen from her mind. Why did he need to be so handsome? If she had been trapped in a cabin with anyone else, she would not have minded. Yet this man made her feel things that she refused to acknowledge.
“But I do find it amusing,” his voice drew her thoughts back to the present conversation.
Stealing a glance, Eleanor noticed how he had drawn the animal skin a little higher on his waist. Was he trying to be modest while still teasing her?
Laughter rumbled from his chest, deep and warm, catching her off guard as she dared to look in his eyes again. “Why are ye laughin’?”
