Rogue of the Highlands: Rogue, Book 1 by Cynthia Breeding Page B

such things, let alone talk about them, it had done little good. Not for Mari or for herself. She could recall every contour of bulging biceps and flat stomach and how smooth and warm his skin had felt.
    “He was like one of those Greek statues in an art book I saw, except that they didn’t have any clothes on at all. I wonder if he looks like—”
    “Mari! How Lord Cantford looks beneath…beneath his trousers is not something we are discussing.”
    “But you have to admit, he is a fine specimen of a man,” Mari said teasingly. “And all those muscles… Tell me, Jillie, weren’t you just a little impressed?”
    This was an asinine conversation. Worse, it was bringing back how very close she had been to him, to his unique male scent. And how he had tilted his head for that oh-so-light kiss. Thank goodness Mari hadn’t seen that or she would never stop talking. But the best way to get her sister to go on to another subject was to agree with her. “Well, he is powerfully built. I supposed I was a little impressed.”
    “I’m glad to ken that,” Ian said from the doorway.
    Startled, Mari spun around, her hands flying to her mouth and she jumped up. Bobbing a quick curtsy, she scampered away, leaving Jillian alone with Ian.
    Jillian remained frozen in place, her back to the door. Please, Lord. He couldn’t have just heard this whole conversation. It was too mortifying. Sakes, they had been talking about his most private parts. What a rogue he was to have been listening.
    Her chin came up defiantly. “A gentleman does not eavesdrop, my lord.”
    He came into the room and sat down next to her on the divan. The room had become stifling, but that was probably due to her acute embarrassment. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was sitting much too close or that they were alone. She could have cheerfully throttled her sister at this point. She stared at the floor.
    “I was standing in the doorway in full view of anyone who turned around,” he said with a mischievous grin. “Although I did have all of my clothes on.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted it, causing her to look at him. “I had no idea that ladies were so curious about male parts.”
    She didn’t think her face could get any hotter. “You’ll have to forgive Mari, my lord. It was an indecent conversation.”
    “Nae. ’Twas an interesting one. Did ye agree with her then?”
    “About…what, my lord?”
    His thumb pad stroked her cheek and his eyes grew even darker. “About what I might look like naked?”
    Sweet heaven. A wet heat puddled between her thighs and her breasts suddenly felt achy with need. She should slap him for such a question, but all her hands wanted to do was feel his solid muscles and…
    “Certainly not,” she said with as much indignation as she could muster. She just was glad her voice didn’t squeak.
    “Yer eyes tell me different.”
    She closed them, wishing fervently that the floor would open up and swallow her. She had been staring at his close, full, luscious mouth. Could she get any more embarrassed? She took a deep breath and reopened her eyes, all too aware that his fingers were gently stroking beneath her chin. “I assure you, sir, that I have no wish to see you… That is, I would not want you to remove your clothes. For me, I mean.”
     
    “Och, then,” he said and dropped his hand. “If ye change yer mind, all ye need to do is ask.”
    Ask? A hysterical bubble of laughter rose in her throat. She could just hear herself saying, “Pardon me, Lord Cantford, but if you would be so kind as to drop your trousers for me.” A wicked thought of how long, thick and hard his erection had felt under his plaid—and how it might actually look crept into her mind. She stifled a gasp and swallowed hard.
    “Please. Could we change the subject?” Now that he no longer touched her, some of her common sense was returning. “What were you doing in the doorway?”
    “I came to ask ye if ye wanted to go to