Love in the Time of a Highland Laird (A Laird for All Time Book 3) by Angeline Fortin (whitelam books .TXT) 📗

“Hey, I’m just going off what you’ve already said.” She lifted her hands defensively.

“I dinnae say…”

“It was heavily implied. But it’s okay. I’m sure being a rake isn’t your worst quality.”

“I’m nae rake!” he retorted, yanking his hand away and rocking back on his heels. “I cannae believe ye think so little of me. I’ve had no more lovers than any other man might.”

“You must know a lot of rakes then.”

“Lass,” he protested in a thickening brogue, “I am nae rake.”

“Aren’t you?” she asked, perhaps a little wistfully as he climbed to his feet. The better to glower down at her properly, she thought. But what was wrong with being called a rake? All the books she’d read made them sound marvelous, after all. “I’ll bet you’re even pretty good at it.”

Both brows shot up at that, then that wolfish gleam lit his eyes once more. “‘Struth, a rake can gi’ a woman pleasure beyond her wildest imaginings. She’ll carry the memory of their night together wi’ her for years tae come,” he said softly, taking her hand and tugging her to her feet. “I admit, I could do that for ye.”

Of course he could. Damn him. She just didn’t want to be another number. But even more than that, Al realized she didn’t want to be disappointed if the experience didn’t measure up to her fantasies. With that in mind, she stepped away from him.

“He can make them weep for him, make them wild,” he continued, closing the space again. “But he beds one woman wi’oot knowing her from the next.” Releasing a shaky breath, she took another step backward, but still he followed. “Mayhap he takes her wi’oot care for her feelings.” He closed the gap between them until she had to tilt her head all the way back to see him.

His warm eyes moved over her face like a physical caress. His fingers flitted across her cheekbone, her temple, and around the shell of her ear without ever quite touching her, though it was enough to set her aquiver. She longed to lean into him. To have his strong arms close around her.

And more. So much more. Brains and brawn. The whole package was undeniably attractive. She couldn’t resist. She didn’t want to. But she had to.

Or did she?

“’Tis what a rake does, lass.” His husky brogue was close to her ear, sending spurts of undeniable desire skittering through her. “He offers naught but a quick fook and a swift goodbye. Is that the kind of man ye think I am?”

So overcome by the brush of his lips against her ear, she couldn’t comprehend his words. Almost nodding before they sunk in, she shook her head.

“Excellent,” he said, tracing his lips along her jawline. “Because as I said, I’m nae rake. I’m a rogue, lass. Do ye ken the difference?”

Swallowing hard, she shook her head again.

“A rogue woos his would-be lover.” His mouth grazed hers ever-so-lightly, not enough of a contact to be called a kiss, but her lips tingled anyway, wanting more. “A rogue seduces his lover.” His lips teased her cheek, her brow. “Seduces her wi’ kisses. Wi’ words of admiration and scientific discovery.”

Her puff of laughter wafted between them.

“He does all this long ‘ere he takes her tae his bed. He waits until she’s hot and wanton with desire, longing for him. Begging him tae take her. Do ye ken the difference now?”

A jerky nod was all she could manage.

“Good. Ye’ll stay here,” he commanded, brooking no argument. “Where I can woo ye more wi’ talk of science. It is the best option for ye now anyway.”

Yes, it might be. But it might also be the worst. He was so calm and contained while she was trembling so badly, she thought her knees would give out. It made her want to hit him.

“What if I don’t want to be wooed?”

That mocking brow lifted once more as if he doubted there was any such possibility. “What lass disnae?”

He was an incredible flirt. A arrogant one. How many women had he wooed? How many times had he succeeded?

“You’re amazing.” The words weren’t entirely complimentary. “Did it even occur to you that I might not want to be wooed because I have someone already? That I’m married? You haven’t even asked.”

He stilled. “Are ye, lass? Are ye wed?”

“No, but that’s not the point. I live alone. I take care of myself. I don’t need a man to do it for me,” she said. “I don’t need to stay here just because you think I do.”

“Yet ye will stay.”

“You’re unbearable,” she told him, astounded by his utter confidence. “How can you be so sure of yourself?”

“Because ye are are fascinated wi’ me, lass.”

Cocky bastard. Yes, she was. Utterly.

“As I am wi’ ye,” he added quietly, turning away so quickly, Al was sure she’d imagined the admission. Or was he embarrassed by it?

“Come,” he said, tugging her hand. “I’ve made a list of questions I want ye tae answer for me.”

It was a heady feeling, being wanted by a man like Keir. Being wanted for her mind as well. Was there really anything wrong with being attracted to him? With wanting him? The temptation was strong. For all she might be able to find a physical release without a man, a part of her longed to be held in strong arms. To curl into a man. A man like him.

Maybe.

Yes, she would stay. For now. But eventually no matter what she gained from the experience, she was sure it would all end as he described. With a quick fuck and a swift goodbye.

Chapter 14

The next two days slipped away without another word being said on the subject of her eventual departure. As Keir promised, they took their meals alone and aggression-free. There were long walks through the gardens and down to the firth where he pointed out the peak of Ben Wyvis in the distance and talked about his