Read The Craving (Rogues of Scotland #1) for Free Online Page A

wasna the laird’s son. I was his nephew. And it’s a good thing my father wasna laird. My mother had him twisted around her finger so tightly all he could see was her.”
    Meg swallowed at the hatred she heard in Ronan’s voice, though she wasn’t sure if it was toward his mother or father. She guessed it was because of his mother. “Is that why you disdain women so much?”
    Her question caused him to throw back his head and laugh. “Disdain? Lass, I love women. Why do you think I was cursed?”
    Meg took the trail branching off from the road, undeterred by his words. His laugh was too loud, too long. “You despise women. You regard us as a means to ease your body, but you find no other need for us.”
    She stopped him with a hand on his arm before he could respond. After taking a loaf of bread and meat wrapped in a towel, Meg made her way to the door of the cottage.
    This was the only place Aunt Tilly had begged her to visit daily. Not that the old woman who lived there ever said much to Meg, but it was such a small request. 
    Meg gave a sharp knock, only to have the door open immediately. She smiled, noting how the black eyes of the woman stared at her for long moments before looking over her shoulder to Ronan.
    “This will get you through tomorrow, Ina,” Meg said as she handed over the items. “Cook is making soup, and I’ll be sure to have some brought over for you.”
    Ina’s gaze came back to her before she promptly closed the door in Meg’s face. With a shrug, Meg turned and walked back to Ronan.
    “Who is that woman?” he asked.
    Meg glanced over her shoulder to the cottage to find Ina peering at them from her window. “I don’t really know. She’s important to Aunt Tilly. Why?”
    “She has the look of a gypsy about her.”
    They spent the rest of the morning in companionable silence visiting the remaining cottages. By the time the basket was empty, thunder was rumbling at a steady rate.
    “I doona think we’ll make it back to the castle before it rains.”
    Meg sighed loudly. “I was hoping we would, but we have at least three miles to walk before we get to the castle.”
    “Why no’ take a horse. It would be quicker.”
    “It would, but I like to walk.”
    There was another rumble of thunder before a crack of lightning made Meg jump. Not a heartbeat later it began to rain. 
    “Is there shelter nearby?” Ronan asked.
    Meg knew of only one. The abandoned cottage deep in the woods. “Aye. I’ll show you.”
    She took off at a run. To her surprise, Ronan grabbed her hand as she lifted her sodden skirts and dashed into the forest. She slipped on damp leaves and earth, but Ronan easily kept her on her feet.
    A laugh escaped her. For the first time in...years...she felt lighthearted and...free. It was a glorious feeling. 
    Meg looked up through the trees at the rain falling and never saw the rock. Both legs came out from beneath her. A cry welled up in her throat, and just as suddenly, she was hauled against a rock-hard chest.
    She didn’t know how much time passed as she stared at Ronan’s bare chest. When she did look up into his eyes, there was a fire burning there.
    It caused her heart to skip a beat and something seductive and erotic unfurl low in her belly.
    But it frightened her too.
    The stark desire was there for her to see. Ronan held nothing back. There were no false words, no lies, no empty promises.
    There was just him.
    His hand settled on her chest above her breasts, and then he slowly caressed up her neck to cup her cheek. All the while his head lowered to hers.
    Meg should turn away. She knew it, but her body wouldn’t listen. Ronan only wanted to ease his own desires. He cared nothing for her.
    What does it matter? Why can’t I have such pleasure in my miserable life?
    As soon as the thought flitted through her mind, the last vestiges of her restraint vanished. Meg watched the water run down the hard planes of Ronan’s face. She parted her lips and let her eyes