Read Tempted by the Highland Warrior for Free Online Page A

she
dared to look, she would see it.
    She walked slowly and he noticed the way the blue silk clung to
her body, outlining the curve of her breasts and her slim figure. Her veiled
hair hung below her waist, a few of the golden strands damp from the water. When
she held out the clothing to him, he didn’t take it.
    No words would come from his throat, no sound to tell her how
grateful he was for her presence. There was no means of telling her the thoughts
imprisoned deep inside. He couldn’t speak.
    But he could touch.
    With his hands, Callum traced the curve that skimmed from her
shoulders to her throat. His fingers moved up her jaw line, watching to see if
she would pull away. Her blue eyes held a myriad of emotions: regret and
sympathy, along with hesitation. She didn’t know him at all, nor would she
understand what her kindness meant to him.
    Death was easy. So was madness. But something about this woman
drew him nearer. In all the darkness he’d known, she’d become the single shard
of light that gave him a reason to survive.
    She uttered a soft breath when he drew his hands down the back
of her neck. Beneath his palms, her delicate skin prickled. He could feel the
tension within her, but as he massaged the tightness, she closed her eyes.
    ‘I shouldn’t let you do this, I know,’ she whispered.
    He touched a finger to her lips, bidding her to be silent. Then
he went down on one knee before her.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked, frowning at his position. But Callum
took her hand and set it upon his head, needing her to understand what he
couldn’t say.
    Her hand moved against his wet hair and she sighed. ‘I know
you’re not going to hurt me.’
    Slowly, he stood and took her hands. He struggled to speak,
trying to force the words out. I never thought I’d see you
again. The desperate need for words tormented him, but nothing came
forth. Marguerite saw his failure, but instead of offering sympathy, she stood
on tiptoe, resting her cheek against his.
    God above, he’d never expected this. Her arms came around his
neck, offering solace. And danger.
    The scent of her skin, and the fluid lines of her body made him
fully aware of all the ways he wanted to worship her. Never taking his eyes from
her, he lifted her hand and placed it over his racing heart. The touch of skin
on skin enslaved him. She was a woman he could never have, so far beyond his
reach as the sunlight in the sky.
    But for this moment, he would take what he wanted.
    He rested his mouth above hers, waiting for her to pull away.
Her blue eyes held confusion and the flushed warmth of her cheeks revealed her
embarrassment. At any time, she could pull back and he wouldn’t stop her.
    Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers.

Chapter Three
    M arguerite couldn’t breathe when Callum
kissed her. His mouth was warm, coaxing her to let go of her shyness. Although
it wasn’t her first kiss, this one slipped beneath her skin with a slow burning
fire, transforming her inhibitions into ashes.
    The connection went deeper than that between a woman and a man
she’d rescued and tended. He treated her as though no one else on the earth
existed. As if he needed her more than the air he breathed.
    It was something she wasn’t used to. At home, she was the
youngest of four daughters, largely overlooked. Her older sisters were
mischievous and outspoken, accustomed to having suitors vie for their hand.
Marguerite was quiet and usually remained in the background, unnoticed.
    But she suspected that Callum MacKinloch would always notice
her.
    He was half-naked before her, his body pressed against her own.
There were no thoughts spinning through her mind, only the need to bring him
closer. Her arms wound around his neck but when she felt the evidence of his
arousal, it didn’t frighten her as she’d thought it would. Instead, it awakened
her own response, with an answering need between her legs.
    The kiss turned deeper and Marguerite let out a shuddering gasp
as Callum