Page 15 of In the Highlander's Bed

In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever met a woman who “fit” him so well.

And yet, he could not forget she was one of the enemy. He’d never let himself do that. He was the last leader for the Cause and he would not fail…but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a man, and every “man” fiber in him yearned to take Constance Cameron.

Here was the edge of desire. One step more and they’d be lost.

But Gordon knew better than to take that step. He held both her hands in his left while his mouth explored hers. Her initial surprise was followed by a searching exploration. Constance Cameron had a bright, inquisitive mind. He could tell she had not been kissed often, but she was a quick learner.

However, someone should have warned her that the curious always paid a price. She paid her price now when he broke off the kiss and stepped away to reveal that he’d tied her hands together with the rope.

His men noticed before her kissed-muddled brain could grasp what had happened. They burst into cheers so loud and so raucous, Gordon almost felt sorry for her.

Almost.

Constance Cameron had proven herself to be more of a trial than he’d anticipated—and he didn’t have time for trials. The number of his followers was dwindling daily. People were losing faith that they could win their Cause. He needed the sword, and he wasn’t about to let one headstrong young woman stand in his way.

He was just thankful it was dark enough for Thomas and the others not to notice how tight his breeches were. He was ramming hard.

“You have no one to blame for this but yourself,” he said. “You should have been a more willing captive.”

“You tricked me!” she accused.

“Ikissedyou,” he clarified. “There was no trick in that.” He leaned closer to say, “But it is a lusty temperament you have, Miss Constance Cameron. There’s a fire in you.”

He anticipated another attack, expected her to attempt to kick him. The moonlight caught the glimmer of tears. She looked away, blinking, not wanting him to notice. But he had, and he felt like a complete scoundrel. He’d taken advantage of her innocence. He used her inexperience to his own purpose. He’d accomplished what he’d wanted…but at what price? He’d not want some other man to use his sister this way.

Then again, one already had.

He hardened his heart. “Mount up,” he ordered the lads.

Thomas roared his delight. “You appear the one ready to mount up,” he said, and Robbie and Brian laughed.

Apparently, the tightness in his breeches had not gone unnoticed.

Gordon shot a look at Miss Cameron. Her head was bowed, her lips pressed together tightly. Her defiance was irritating, but he found hepreferred it over this quiet submission. “Fetch our horses,” he told Brian. Tempest and Robbie’s horse had stopped a few yards away and were grazing. “And the rest of you mind your manners.”

“We’re just following orders, Gordon,” Thomas said, his grin still ear-to-ear. “I’m just relieved to see your pecker still works. We’d all been thinking it had dropped off from disuse a long time ago.”

The crudity of the remark, as if Constance wasn’t present, irritated Gordon. “I have other matters on my mind right now,” he said pointedly.

The giant snorted his response. “God made man able to do two things at once—one is to exercise his pecker, and the other is to do everything else while thinking about exercising his pecker. Isn’t that right, lads?”

“Enough,” Gordon said before Robbie and Brian could respond. “This gentlewoman is our guest. We don’t want her returning to London with stories about what savages we are. Mount up and save your clever remarks for the English.”

Thomas laughed and did as told. Constance was still looking away. The moon’s light caught the path of one tear that had escaped down hercheek. Gordon realized she stared in the direction of Edinburgh. He refused to feel guilty.

Instead, he climbed into his own saddle. Without so much as a by-your-leave, he reached down, grabbed her by her waist, and pulled her up in the saddle in front of him.

She arched her back, ready to fight.

“Have done, lass,” he said. Her wiggling wasn’t makinganythingeasier. “No matter what you do, I shall come after you. You aremine. At least until Colster hands over the sword. A wise woman would conserve her strength.” He couldn’t help a tight smile as he added, “The better to tear me apart limb from limb later.”

Her struggle stopped. The tear was gone now, dried by the wind. “This isn’t a game, is it?” she said quietly.

“Who said it was?” His conscience made him add, “Don’t pay attention to all that Thomas says. You have my word that you will be treated well, provided you do as I bid.”

Her jaw tightened. She shifted her weight to make herself more comfortable, something that was awkward to do with her tied wrists. The others had already gone on. Gordon started to urge Tempest forward when she said, “That was my first kiss.”

He sat back, not knowing what to say.