The Accidental Highland Hero by Terry Spear Page B

intentions and she need not explain the matter further.
    James raised his brows, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “You did not intend to traverse my chamber to tell Tavia you were hungry as well, did you?”  He turned to Fergus. “You may go.”
    Fergus bowed his head again, gave Eilis a look of displeasure then closed the door on his departure.
    Eilis fought feeling vulnerable alone in James’s presence, but his capturing her wrist and holding her tight and way too close made it difficult to think otherwise.
    “You can let go of me,” she said between clenched teeth, her whole body heating despite the coolness of the chamber. The smell of his heady masculine scent overwhelmed her, and if he did not release her soon, she didn’t think she’d remain standing for long.
    “Can I now?”  His vexation was evident in the tone of his voice, and his eyes blazed with fire as he assessed her. “How far do you think you would have gotten?”  He motioned to the window. “The castle is locked tight at night. You would not have gotten beyond the walls. ‘Tis not safe for a wee lass to be roaming the castle by herself in any event. Some of my men might have thought you were seeking male companionship.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “I was thirsty. The salted meat made me thus.”
    James gave her a look like he knew better than that.
    She had not managed to eat a bite, only drank some of her mead. If she truly drank anything more this eve, she would float away.
    “Aye, well, Tavia will remedy that. But the next time you wish something, wake Tavia and have her get it for you. Fergus is under strict orders to ensure you do not leave the chamber. He will not disobey me in this matter. So do not try him.” Instantly, the darkness faded from James’s face, and a small smile appeared. “Shall I tuck you back in bed?”
    When he was angry with her, she felt less wary of his intentions. ‘Twas much better than when he put on his seductive air. Besides, they were alone in his chamber and…
    She frowned at him. “I am not a child.”
    His face hardened again. “Nay, you are not. That is why you will not roam the castle alone at night.”
    Before surprise could even register, he leaned down to kiss her. She should have turned her head, discouraged his attentions, but she couldn’t. Breathless, she waited with great expectation and watched as his lips touched hers. At first, ‘twas naught more than a brush of warm velvet against her mouth. She trembled, not from fear, but from the sheer pleasure of his touch.
    Her bones turned to soggy oats, and if James had not tightened his grasp on her wrist, she was sure she would be kneeling before him. His lips turned up slightly, mayhap because she did not object to his kiss. ‘Twas highly inappropriate, and she should step away. But she lifted her mouth to his and solicited more.
    To her frustration, he did not oblige. Instead, he touched her cheek with his fingertips and caressed the skin with a gentle sweep, his smoldering gaze fixed to hers. Mesmerized, she could not look away.
    “’Tis not safe for you to be in here, lass.” His words were huskier than she’d ever heard them. “You need to return to bed.”
    But he did not release her, nor did he move her from the spot of floor she was affixed to. Worse, she did not try to pull away either.
    She licked her lips and dropped her gaze, studying his chest, well muscled and bronzed, the dark hair trailing lower toward his trewes. ‘Twas then she saw the bulge between his legs beneath the fabric, straining against the seams. Her cheeks heated, and her eyes shifted up, away from his tantalizing treasures. He gave her a wicked grin.
    Pulling her against his body, James let her feel the way she had aroused him. He knew he should have returned her to her bed, but he wanted to join her in it, despite his conscience telling him otherwise. Her lips were honey-flavored from the mead, sweet and tender, her body soft and warm as he pressed