Born in Sin by Kinley MacGregor Page A

time.”
    Sin’s gaze dropped to his trencher. “Do you remember your mother?”
    Callie smiled as happiness welled up inside her. It always did that when she remembered her mother.“Aye. She was beautiful and kind. An angel. I was only five when she died, but I remember so much of her.”
    She saw the sadness in his eyes.
    “What of you? Tell me of your mother.”
    “What about your stepmother?” he asked, instead of answering her question. “Was she kind to you?”
    What a peculiar question; but then, given the way most people looked upon stepparents, maybe it wasn’t so strange after all. “Morna is wonderful. You’ll like her much, I think. She’s been trying to find me a husband.”
    He frowned at that. “Why haven’t you married before now?”
    Callie drew in a deep breath as she thought about it. In truth, she’d always wanted to be a wife and mother. She could think of nothing better than having a home filled with children.
    “My betrothed died before we married,” she whispered, “then my father died before I had a chance to look for another. Since his death, I haven’t even wanted to consider it, for fear someone would use me to try and take control of the clan from my uncle.”
    “Peace is important to you?”
    “Very much so. I’ve lost enough of my family. I’ve no wish to lose more.”
    His black gaze searched hers and she saw the respect he felt for her. It warmed her greatly. “You’re very wise, Caledonia.”
    “Callie.” She smiled gently. “My family and friends all call me Callie.”
    Sin stared at her, unable to believe she would offer him her nickname. In that moment, he could almostlet himself dream of a life with her. Of sharing endless nights like this.
    But in his heart he knew better. He wasn’t the kind of man a woman like her needed.
    “Do you want children?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.
    She blushed. “Aye. I would love to have dozens of them.”
    His groin tightened at the thought. At the moment, he would love to offer his services, but that was another thing he could never do.
    “And you?” she asked. “How many children do you want?”
    “None.”
    “Not even a son?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t want any children. Ever.”
    “Why?”
    Sin clenched his teeth. He didn’t want children because he refused to bring anyone so defenseless into the world. Look at her little brother. Her father was dead, and she and Jamie were left to the hands of his enemies.
    He would never take such a chance. Never allow a child of his to suffer.
    “Men like me don’t father children.”
    “Men like…” Her eyes grew wide and more color flooded her cheeks. She pulled away. “Forgive me, milord, I didn’t realize you preferred the company of other men.”
    Sin choked. “I most assuredly do not, milady. My desires are definitely toward women.”
    The humor returned to her eyes. “Oh. Well, you said—”
    “But I didn’t mean it the way you took it.”
    “Then why don’t you want children?”
    “This subject is closed.”
    Callie realized he wasn’t going to give her anything more than that. Very well; she would work on that later. For now, she would focus on other things.
    “What did you do today?” she asked. “You said you went into town.”
    “I was making plans to leave for Scotland.”
    Her heart soared. “You’re taking me home?”
    “Aye.”
    “When?”
    “Day after tomorrow.”
    Joy ripped through her. Thoughtless in her excitement, she launched herself into his arms and squeezed him tight as her heart pounded.
    Sin sat in shock as she wrapped herself around him. No one had ever hugged him before. Not once. He swallowed at the sensation of her bosom flattened against his chest, of her breath on his neck and the tenderness of her arms around his neck.
    She felt wonderful.
    Awkwardly, he placed his own arms around her. His blood pounded through his veins as his body roared to life with a heated demand so fierce it left him