The Highlander's Temptation by Eliza Knight

to his, the press of her lips. He’d not even kissed her as deeply as he wanted to, had kept it as innocent as he possibly could. For both their sakes.
    Jamie tossed the rest of the whisky down his throat, then clunked the cup onto Magnus’ desk. The hour had to be nearing midnight. The two of them had left the dancing and bonfires beneath the moonlight in order to speak, and now that they had, Jamie was considering retiring for the night, though at first he’d had every intention of returning.
    “I should get some rest so that I may be off at first light.”
    Magnus finished his whisky. “Are ye certain? There is still yet a flame upon the wood.”
    Tempting. Because he could watch the way the firelight reflected and glowed on Lorna’s hair and skin. But then again, everyone would see him staring, for he was certain his gaze could not be pulled anywhere but toward her. It wouldn’t do for her brother to see him lusting after her when they’d just come to an agreement on a very important matter.
    “’Tis probably best that I retire,” Jamie said, unconvinced.
    “Nonsense. Another hour at least.” Magnus clapped him on the back.
    “All right. Another hour.”
    He shouldn’t have let himself be convinced, but if he were honest, it wasn’t truly Magnus that swayed him to return to the festivities. It was the chance to see Lorna’s face one more time. When morning came, she’d likely still be slumbering in her bed. Damn, but it would be nice if she were lying in his, their limbs entwined. When he felt his cock stir at the thought, he cleared his throat and held out his hand offering Magnus to lead the way.
    They returned in time for the last maiden dance. Dozens of lasses danced around the fire in pure delight and abandon—and perhaps too much wine.
    “Thank goodness not all the men are sotted,” Magnus murmured. “Else we’d have many weddings come the morning.”
    Jamie chuckled, glad he’d not drunk enough to seduce Lorna. As a matter of fact, he was certain he didn’t want to think on that at all. Jamie had oft followed the edicts of the other lairds and kept Beltane quiet. But with Malcolm at the helm of the Beltane festival at Glasgow, there was no telling what sort of deeds were going on. He’d often balked at the lack of celebration. Thank goodness his own sisters were already married off.
    All thought left him as Lorna swung into view, her hair completely fallen out of its plait, curling in golden firelight, waves around her shoulders and down her back. She still wore the marigold crown upon her head, and her lips were curled in a smile of pure delight. Her eyes danced with merriment. She’d lifted her skirts just a few inches, revealing her ankles and bare feet. Enough skin showing to make Jamie’s gut tighten, blood flow uncontrollably to his groin.
    Ma gnus grunted. “’Tis about time Lorna was married.” He said it so low, that it could have been to himself.
    Jamie took it as encouragement, though he didn’t say anything in return. Was Magnus hinting that he wanted a proposal? He flicked his gaze away, trying to look upon the other women to sway Magnus’ opinion. It appeared to work for the man clapped him on the back and then took off after a dark-haired lass he’d seen him dally with earlier in the day.
    And good thing, because Jamie could only keep his eyes off of Lorna for so long. He wanted to run into the circle, to pull her into his arms and finish the kiss they’d begun hours before. But dancing beside Lorna were her aunt and sister, as though they were both keeping her safe from him. Had Heather told their aunt she’d caught them kissing?
    And why should he care? He was a laird, a ruler of his own clan. A member of the Bruce’s council. He was powerful. It had only been a kiss. Maidens kissed warriors all the time.
    Jamie crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. And at that moment, Lorna turned to gaze up at him, the rapture on her face momentarily stilted as she