Read Online The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight - Free Book Online Page A

were partially open, and his lower lip pressed between them, his tongue touching for the briefest of moments on her upper lip.
    Arbella gasped at the sensual contact, and the branding hotness of that illicit touch. She liked it. Hated it. She wanted more.
    His beard tic kled her cheeks and nose, but his lips thrilled her senses.
    Arbella eagerly pressed into his embrace, her arms winding around his neck. She tilted her head to the side, compelled ever closer to his mouth.
    But the kiss was over all too soon. He pulled away, and she gazed at him, bemused.
    “Now, I’ll keep my word,” he whispered for only her ears.
    “Word?”
    “Aye, that I’d not kiss ye unless ye asked. This was an order by the abbot.”
    The infuriating man had the audacity to grin and wink at her. He knew exactly how his kisses affected her and he was enjoying her discomfort.
    She pressed her lips together and took a hard step backward, only to get the heel of her boot caught on the hem of her gown. Her arms waved wildly in front of her, as she sought to keep her balance. Men rushed from behind, but the one who caught her was Magnus, pulling her back into his embrace. Arbella’s mortification was made all the more complete by how his eyes sparkled with mirth. He mocked her.
    “Seems my kiss has knocked my wife off her feet,” he said with arrogance to his men.
    The warriors chuckled.
    Arbella fisted her hands, ready to show him a thing or two about getting knocked off his feet, but then he glanced at her, a true smile on his face. A more handsome smile, she’d never seen. She wondered what he would look like without the beard covering his face. Most likely, he would be even more stunning. Magnus had good bone structure, the type most nobles wished to have. His nose was generally straight, save for a small bump at the top, most likely from a break. His cheekbones were well defined, his brow prominent and eyebrows arched perfectly. From what she could see and what she felt when he kissed her, his lips were full, wide, utterly sensual. She had to force her gaze to the abbot to stop thinking of how blessed he was in the face…and really everywhere. She’d felt his muscles. His physique was well-formed, strong.
    She swallowed hard, realizing that even staring at the abbot did not quell her thoughts of her new husband’s attributes. Wasn’t it a sin? She shouldn’t be so grateful for his beauty anyway. Their marriage would not last long—mayhap only a fortnight or a month, the winter at most. And what he looked like didn’t matter, even if he were to remain her husband.
    Arbella shook her head and looked to her hands. He would not remain her husband, the simple truth.
    “My laird, we have humble fair to feed ye, your wife and men. And we’ve a guest cottage for ye to use.” The abbot glanced at the newlyweds pointedly. He would have them eat and then get straight to the bedding.
    Arbella’s insides quivered. Even if it was to be a fake joining, it still scared the ribbons from her braid. She forced herself not to shiver as she imagined Magnus—tall, muscular, overwhelmingly handsome Magnus—advancing on her, desire intense in his gaze. She closed her eyes, willing the images away. For they not only brought fear but a yearning deep within to hold her arms out and welcome his carnal touch.
    Magnus took hold of her elbow in a manner she was quickly coming to dislike. But instead of leading her out of the chapel by her arm, he threaded it through his, resting her palm atop of his forearm. She glanced up at him, surprised by his sudden show of chivalry. He did not look back at her. If she didn’t know better, she would say it was natural for him to act in a chivalrous way.
    They followed the abbot toward a non-descript smaller wooden building. The thatched roof looked in need of repair.
    “This will be where ye can stay for the night,” the abbot indicated. “Your men will have to sleep in the stables.”
    Arbella bit her lip and spared a