Page 32 of Highland Seduction

Thankfully, he did not seem to be offended by her question. “Ye shivered when James took yer hand. He is a handsome man. But ’twas no reason for my bad humor. For that, I apologize.”

His candidness prompted her own admission. “I didnae shiver for his touch but for the deep voice at my back.”

He searched her eyes for guile, but there was none. The truth was plain enough to see, Ainsley was sure of it. As he realized it, Tor’s expression shifted. His gaze dropped to her lips. Then, without another word, he leaned toward her and closed his eyes.

She did the same.

An eternity later, his lips touched hers so gently she could hardly feel them at first. But then they pressed more firmly, Tor’s tongue running along the crease of her lips. She opened, as he’d silently bid. The very pleasant touch turned into something much more. Tor’s head slanted, and his tongue sought hers, and she was drawn into him in a way she never thought possible. When his hand squeezed hers just as his tongue swirled in such a way as to tell her, without words, that he wanted this as much as she, Ainsley’s core clenched. And then it did so again.

She shifted closer to him as her confidence in the kiss increased. ’Twas not at all what Ainsley had been expecting, even if she’d had a vague idea of what was involved. Deeper and deeper she was drawn in, and yet, she wanted more. As did Tor, apparently. His free hand found the back of her head and, pressing them together, he continued the gentle assault.

Never had she dreamed of this. Had she understood sooner, she’d not have allowed herself to fall asleep last eve. When he groaned beneath her lips, Ainsley was lost. Her entire body shuddered, that shiver from this morn a pebble in comparison to the boulder that felt as if it had fallen on her.

When Tor broke away suddenly, Ainsley felt as if he’d stripped her bare. A moment ago, she’d been surrounded by warmth, and now there was naught but cold. Never could she go back from this knowledge. It was as if he’d awakened something in her, and Ainsley knew instinctively that was not merely a simple kiss.

It was more, she was certain of it.

And by his expression, Tor believed so too.

Chapter 18

Berwick.

He’d never been happier to see a town before. Courtesy of robust trade, the walled town which sat along the River Tweed bustled. Its castle often hosted the king of Scotland, and the marketplace was similar in size to the one in Edinburgh.

His clan’s connections, and Ainsley’s too, could see them staying in any number of manor houses, including Berwick Castle itself. But they did not wish to announce their arrival. If Ian and Marta were alive, and here in Berwick, they clearly wished to remain hidden. Word of Tor and Ainsley’s arrival would spread, even in a town of this size. Gossip, a favorite pastime everywhere, could scare his clanswoman away.

As they made their way to River’s End Inn, the largest and most well-known of inns here, Tor stole a glance at his companion. Last eve had been one of the most torturous of his life. After that kiss, the one that had changed everything for him, he’d had to endure another night of Ainsley sleeping in his arms. While her head on his chest, in some ways, felt as if it belonged there, three other realizations kept him from kissing her again.

First, he’d not be able to stop at a simple kiss. Her reaction to him, Ainsley’s passion and trust, stirred something in Tor’s soul he’d never felt before with a woman.

Second, if he did not stop, their marriage would be consummated. Ainsley would no longer be a virgin. Their annulment would no longer be possible and Ainsley would remain his wife in truth.

Third, that notion did not worry him as it should. When he set out to Castle Shaw for his sister’s wedding, he’d certainly not been prepared to marry a Shaw himself. Nor any woman, in fact. Before Adair died, his path had been set. The youngest brother, Tor could enjoy the freedom of not having the need to marry hanging over him. Now, he was a husband. So why did the fact not terrify him? The answer was an easy one to discern.

Ainsley reined in at the town’s main gate, turned back to him, and smiled. She was the reason. Since Ainsley had never kissed another man, she did not realize the impact of such a kiss. To her, it was a pleasant enough experience. Typical, she likely assumed, of how it should be between a man and a woman.

Yet, that kiss was aught but ordinary.

But was he ready to remain married? More importantly, was she? Ainsley’s scar from her time in the woods ran deep, the one formed when her sister was mistreated by her husband, even deeper. As a consequence, she’d learned to defend herself. To prepare. To control the situation before her. Being suddenly married would not bode well for someone like Ainsley.

He’d allow himself more time to think on it, but Tor knew himself well. Knew that when they were alone once again, the urge to kiss her, to make her his, would be strong. Too strong, perhaps, to resist.

Even though he knew the consequences.

“Ye look as if ye’re prepared to run someone through with that sword at yer side,” Ainsley said as Tor rode up to her.

“Just the guard if he thinks to close the gates for the eve without admitting us.”

As they spoke, the town’s guard seemed to be doing just that despite Tor and Ainsley being moments away from the gate, a fact Tor reminded him of as they approached and the gate closed.

“Good sirs,” he said. “We seek entry, if it pleases ye.”

“It does no’,” one of the men grumbled before they both walked away.

Tor dismounted.

“What will ye do?” Ainsley whispered, clearly worried for a repeat of the reiver incident.