Free The Highlander's Accidental Marriage (Marriage Mart Mayhem) by Callie Hutton Page B

shiver with expectation. Of what, she was afraid to consider.
    Once they arrived at her door, she opened it quickly. “Good night.”
    “Wait a minute, lass,” Braeden said, closing it softly and tugging her to him. “I’m not happy with ye being up here with myself downstairs. I think the innkeeper wanted to protect yer virtue, but in the meantime might have put ye in danger. Be sure to lock that door and shove a chair underneath the latch.”
    Her heart thumped at his words. She’d been so focused on his nearness all through dinner and the walk upstairs, she hadn’t thought about the risks of her being on a different floor all night. “I agree. I think Mrs. McClune thought to guard my reputation, when in fact she made things a bit precarious for me.”
    “Aye. I’ve thought of nothing else since we arrived.” He paused, then added, “I could come inside and sleep on the floor.”
    There was no teasing in his voice or mannerism, and she might have seriously considered it if she hadn’t already been subjected to his kisses. The temptation was too strong and his nearness too heady. The innkeeper certainly knew what she was about. “I am sure all will be fine. As you say, I will lock the door and block it with a chair. Also, I have strong lungs. If someone were to attempt to enter, you will be able to hear me in the next town.”
    “Aye, lass. Use that fine strong voice of yers if ye need me.” He lazily tucked the hair behind her ear that had fallen from her bun. “Whatever way you might need me.”
    Heat rose to her face at his suggestion—not at all as innocent as he pretended it to be. Why did he affect her so, when she had been quite able to handle the men who’d attempted to court her in London? There, no one had caught her fancy. Even if she had been tempted to allow a man to court her, none had presented himself who made her feel the way Braeden did.
    She studied his face as she realized it was a quirk of fate that the one man who could tempt her to forget her pledge not to marry for a long time, if at all, in order to concentrate on her career as an author, had ended up alone with her—far, far from home and the judgmental eyes of the ton.
    Nonsense . This trip would be over shortly, Braeden would leave her with Sybil, and be on his way to this expedition he was so anxious to join. Then she would come to know her new niece or nephew while she awaited word from her publisher on the release of her book. Once again the anticipation rose as she considered how surprised her family would be when her book appeared on the local bookstore shelves.
    “What has ye so thoughtful?” He ran his knuckle down her cheek.
    “I am concerned about my sister and how anxious she must be for me to arrive,” she lied.
    “ Ach , lass. ’Twas not what ye were thinking. Yer mouth says one thing, but yer eyes another.” Now he was twisting one of her curls around his finger. “Perhaps ye were thinking the same thing I am.”
    “N-no, I don’t believe so.”
    “Are ye sure?” He leaned in closer, the faint scent of the wine he’d drunk wafting over her. “I believe ye are thinking about kissing me and how much ye enjoyed it the last time.”
    She shook her head furiously. He anchored it with his hands, and his head descended, taking her lips in complete possession, asking for surrender, and allowing nothing less. His tongue swept into her mouth, encouraging her to join him in a lovers’ dance. Her previous dark thoughts fled as she gave him all that he demanded and more, enjoying the warmth and moistness of his caress.
    By the time he drew back and rested his forehead on hers, she wasn’t quite sure where she stood and if her legs would even hold her. She clung to his shoulders, relying on the strong grasp of his arm around her waist to keep her from tumbling to the floor in a passionate stupor. How many times would he put her into this state before she wanted more, knowing there was much more to be had?
    “Ye