Read Online Celtic Maid (Roman Love ~ Pict Desire Series Book 2) by Amy Jarecki - Free Book Online

forward. He barreled through the door and stopped short. Elspeth spun around. Pure white silken skirts billowed. She is radiant . Titus’s heart skipped more than one beat. “Ah.” He took a step forward. “Jonas finished it.”
    Elspeth backed away. “Please do not expect me to be seen in this toggery.”
    Had she no idea how beautiful she looked? “Whatever do you mean? You are the vision of goddess Athena herself.”
    Elspeth crossed her arms low as if covering herself. “It reveals me legs when I walk.”
    “Hmm.” Titus beckoned with his palm. “Show me.”
    Shaking her head, she scooted away until her heels hit her pallet. “No. Ye cannot expect me to flaunt meself in front of ye.”
    Titus took in the fetching gown from neck to hem. The flowing drapes made her inordinately feminine. If only she could see it. He flicked his wrist impatiently. “How am I to make a judgment if all I see is exactly the gown I ordered?”
    Elspeth pursed her lips and stomped across the floor, glared at him, then whipped around and stomped back. “Ye see. I look like a tart.”
    From the fire ablaze in her eyes, she most definitely resembled Goddess Athena. And when her long, pure white legs escaped from the folds, the endless fire that plagued Titus’s groin made him lengthen with agonizing pain. He strode toward her and grasped a piece of flowing silk. “’Tis exactly what I wanted. How could you think it ill appropriate?”
    “As I said, it shows me legs and me arms are bare. ’Tis not practical for our chilly weather, even in summer.”
    Titus glanced down at his own bare thighs. “My legs are uncovered.”
    She slapped her hands to her hips. “I do not understand what’s wrong with me woolen dress. ’Tis practical and it covers me legs as well as me arms.” Oh, how her spirit could inflame him. Ever since the day she’d saved his life, he’d longed to see that fire behind her blue eyes again. Being this feisty, she either needed a firm hand on her buttocks or his cock buried inside her. But Titus could give her neither one. He had sworn he wouldn’t harm her in any way, and beside that vow he would stand if it killed him.
    Titus released the silken material from his grasp. “Count Theodosius will be here on the morrow.” He looked into her eyes, pulling upon every ounce of restraint to keep from claiming her mouth for his own. “It would please me if you would wear the chiton in his presence. I believe your archery demonstration will be the height of the games.”
    She hesitated with a glint of resistance in her eyes. “Why do ye have to look at me like that?” He ignored her question, unable to pull his gaze away from her defiant stare. A tsk escaped from her tongue as she glanced away. She touched the silk, looking defeated. “If it pleases ye,” she said with a groan.
    He grasped her shoulders, leaned forward and kissed her forehead as he would a dear one. The feral jasmine scent of her hair dragged him to the ragged edge. Before he could think, Titus encased her in his arms. Gasping, Elspeth raised her chin. “I….”
    Losing control, he covered her bow-shaped lips with his. Tasting the ambrosia of her yielding mouth, he gave in to the passion consuming him. Closing his eyes, he ravished her with his lips, his tongue swirling, unable to taste enough of her. Elspeth melted into his arms, moaning into his mouth, her sensuous voice reverberating through his chest. He hugged her body tighter, his skin sizzling where the soft swells of her breasts pressed against him. Titus could think of nothing but his need to taste her more deeply.
    With a gasp, Elspeth jerked her head back. “I cannot.”
    His lust shattering, Titus pulled away. “Why? Are you promised?”
    She clutched her fists beneath her chin, as if she were suddenly afraid of him. “No, m’lord.”
    “Forgive me.” The fear reflected in her eyes made his heart squeeze. “I shouldn’t have….”
    She took a step back. “There ye stand