Free Highland Temptress by Hildie McQueen Page B

you be all right, Miss?"
    Cailyn's lips curved into a lazy smile, her eyes meeting his. "Of course. Good night, Mary."
    The maid scurried away, and Cailyn turned to go. Jamie stopped her. "Are you sure of your safety, Miss? Most people fear me," he mocked.
    She looked at him over her shoulder, straight in the eye. "Ah, yes, the infamous Red Pirate. I've heard you kill babies and throw them overboard to feed the sharks, after which pushing the mothers in, as well." The laughter in her voice caught him off guard, and he found himself at a loss for words.
    A smile curved her lips. "Already losing at the battle of wits, Captain?"
    "You shouldn't be alone with me, Miss," He warned, leaning closer with a menacing look. He expected her to back away. Instead, she laughed.
    "I can take care of myself, Captain Westcott. Raised by warrior brothers who are well-known for their battle skills, no Highlander would dare lay a hand on me."
    His eyes raked over her figure. "Not laying hands on you, I find that a pity," he murmured, glad to see her color deepen. "I'm sure many have dreamt of doing such a thing."
    Blue eyes lifted to him. Daring him. "Would you?"
    Intrigued, Jamie could not hold back a smile. "Only if you allowed it."
    "Hmm." She cocked her head to the side, as if trying to decide what to say next. "I think I would. Allow it." She closed the distance between them and raised her arms around his neck, then pulled him down, her eyes on his the entire time. "Would you like to kiss me, Captain Westcott?"
     
    ****
     
    Cailyn hoped her inexperienced attempt at seducing the handsome, but worldly captain, would work.
    Her only experience with men had been a hurried and painful endeavor with her cousin, Dugan, when they were barely into adolescence, and later only twice with the man she'd been handfasted to.
    "I may not wish to stop at a kiss." Jamie Westcott's deep voice brought her out of her musing. Cailyn peered into his startling green eyes, then down to his mouth, which curved at the regard.
    His lips pressed against hers, a kiss that promised a venture into a place she'd never explored. Powerful arms wrapped around her waist and drew her against a solid chest. Cailyn wrapped her hands around his tight shoulders, not satisfied, needing to taste more of him.
    When his tongue probed at her lips, she gladly parted them and allowed the heated invasion. He tasted of ale and sea, a heady combination that made her cling to him tighter. Not enough! Her brain screamed.
    Captain Westcott's hands slid from her waist to clamp onto her ass. Holding her in place, he crushed his stone-hard bulge into her. "If you don't plan to part your legs for me, then we must stop this game, Miss." He murmured the breathless words against Cailyn's ear, sending shivers down to where he ground against her.
    He nipped at her throat. Sshe moaned and raked her fingers through his silky reddish-brown hair. Warm lips trailed down to her shoulder, while he fumbled with the doorknob behind her, managing to open the door and maneuvering her through it.
    In a haze at the intensity of the sensations slamming through her, Cailyn heard the click of the door closing, right before the big man slammed her against it and picked up her legs, wrapping them around him.
    The friction between her heated core and his hardness brought a surge of want unlike anything she'd ever experienced, and Cailyn sucked his tongue deeper into her mouth.
    He groaned and pushed into her with fluid motions, until she released his mouth to crie out.
    Was she prepared to surrender herself to a total stranger? What if her plan to keep him here until late the next day failed? Doubts battled with want. The large bed that loomed in the room drew her gaze.
    Without warning, Jamie lowered Cailyn to her feet. His motions less-than-gentle, yet he held her shoulders to ensure she was steady. He panted, mouth slightly open, his eyes now an emerald green. "I am not a man to take a woman who is not sure of what