Read Online The Highlander's Sin by Eliza Knight - Free Book Online Page B

mouth.”
    Heather took the proffered stick with trembling fingers and tucked it into her mouth. Cinnamon burst in her mouth, not at all sweet like it was on rolls, but foul. Utter trickery , given its delicious scent.
    “Next time we kiss, ’twill be doubly sweet.”
    Next time? Her stomach fluttered with excitement, and her breath hitched.
    “I…” She couldn’t finish.
    “Take off a gown and lie down, Heather.”
    Oh dear heavens… There was no escaping this. Except… if he was nude, he might not run after her.
    Heather whirled on her heel, prepared to make a break for it. But before she took three steps, his arm snaked around her waist , hauling her back.
    “Dinna think about it.”
    She glanced down to see that his arm was covered in white linen. Not naked. He had on a shirt at least.
    “Do I have to tie ye up while ye sleep?”
    Heather shook her head, the thought of being held captive like that, terrifying.
    “I thought lying beside ye would be enough of a deterrent to trying to escape, but I see that may not be the case after all. I’ve some rope I can use to bind ye.”
    She cleared her throat. “Nay. Nay, that won’t be necessary.” Miraculously her words came out strong and sober. “I will lay down.”
    “Do ye need me to help ye remove a gown?”
    Heat filled her cheeks as the image of him behind her untying her and loosening the gown over her arms flooded her mind. “Ye’d probably like that, but nay.”
    “I w ill nay lie to ye, lass. The idea is enticing. But I merely asked to be practical.”
    “N ay, thank ye.” Heather made a move to step away from him and was shocked when he didn’t hold her back. Keeping her back to him, she reached behind her and untied the knots at her back—knots she’d somehow managed to do herself after wriggling into the gown, a feat in and of itself without the help of a maid.
    Once she’d taken off the gown, she felt instantly lighter. Two other gowns and three chemises made up her ensemble.
    “Ye might consider wearing only one outfit on the morrow. Must be infernally hot.”
    Heather whirled to face Duncan, intending to issue him some reprimand, but his threat of a whipping and the sight of him in a plaid and leine shirt took the words from her tongue. Gone was the leather jerkin and wicked ax.
    There was no trace of a priest left, but a brawny, devastatingly handsome warrior who stole her breath and made her heart leap into her throat.

Chapter Six

     
    A roar, foreign to him, rushed through Duncan’s ears.
    He’d been frozen, watching as the lass reached behind her and tugged at the ribbons of her gown. Though he’d known she was covered in infinite layers, the thought of her undressing before his eyes had been enough to make him want to get down on his knees and beg her for more. Beg her to peel away each and every gown and chemise.
    And Duncan never begged for anything.
    In just a few short hours, Heather Sutherland had him undone. She turned around, his emotions mirrored in her expression as she studied him without his priest’s robes. He stood before her clothed, just as she was, but the idea of one less layer seemed doubly powerful. They were both intoxicated by it. A realization that made his blood rush harder through his body. Together, they were toxic.
    The gown she’d been wearing was a muted evergreen of lightweight wool. This one was more of a sage color. Both were loose, and he was unsure if that was intentional for layering or if they were even her own clothes. They were certainly not the fashionable gowns he would have seen on a wealthy woman.
    “Ye dinna dress like a sister to an earl.” His voice was lowered, and he gazed at her with hooded lids.
    “Worried ye have the wrong lass?” She cocked her head, toying with him, evidence of her spirit pushing through despite his threats to punish her.
    He took a step closer. “Nay. I know who ye are.”
    “How?” Heather seemed to hesitate a moment before taking a step back.
    He