True Love Brides 02 - The Highlander’s Curse Read Free Page B

boldness, sir, and a measure of it seems to have found me.” She grimaced. “Either that or terror loosed my tongue.”
    Garrett pretended to consider this. “If you mean to imperil yourself again as a test, perhaps you will have need of a protector.”
    She smiled at him so warmly that his heart clenched. “Sadly, I do not have one, sir.” She was blushing furiously and he could not imagine what made her heart race so. “Truly, it would safer to first ensure that the effect was not wrought by your presence alone.”
    “You think me safer company than a hungry wolf, then,” he teased. “I am much reassured.”
    “Only because I am not a hungry wolf myself,” she retorted. She caught her breath, as if surprised by herself, then knotted her fingers together and blushed yet more. “I wonder, sir, if you might come to Seton Manor this night. I would see you rewarded for killing this wolf on the lands of my sister’s husband.”
    The very suggestion sent terror through Garrett’s heart, for he remembered full well what had happened the last time he had entered a keep.
    At the same time, he could not imagine losing this enticing maiden, not before he knew far more of her than was already the case. Perhaps that one experience had been an exception. Perhaps her family were as tranquil in their thoughts as she.
    Perhaps the reward of her company was worth any price.
    “I would ask a boon of you first, my lady.” Garrett took a step closer to her and fairly felt her quiver. He held up a finger. “One kiss, then all is balanced between us.”
    Her breath came quickly at his suggestion and he could fairly taste her uncertainty. He wondered whether she had ever been kissed by a man before. He could not look away from the intensity of her gaze and her uncertainty made him feel uncommonly protective of her.
    “Why?”
    “Your sister’s husband may believe you owe me much more than a kiss for this deed on this day,” he said softly. “But if ever you come to me, my lady, I will not have it be because you were commanded to do so. I would have you come to me by your own choice.”
    She swallowed and he watched her throat work. “I think your terms most fair,” she whispered and he knew she spoke the truth. He sensed the anticipation within her, the attraction mirroring his own, and again, was amazed that her presence was so serene.
    Garrett stepped closer and touched a finger to her chin. He was aware of her desire to flee and hide. At the same time, he was honored by her trust. She struggled to overcome her uncertainties and he admired her all the more. He moved slowly, not wanting to startle her, though he yearned to crush her against himself and kiss her thoroughly.
    He slid his thumb across her skin and felt her shiver. Her eyes shone as she studied him and those ripe lips parted in invitation, making him recall her determination to be bold. Garrett’s chest tightened at the sight of her vulnerability.
    Then he bent and gently captured her mouth beneath his own. She shook like a new tree, and he thought for a second that he had lost her. But her newfound audacity carried the day, for she closed her eyes and placed her hands on his shoulders.
    Welcoming his touch.
    It was enough to make him dizzy. As he deepened his kiss, Garrett knew Mhairi had been right and he had finally found the woman who could quiet the tumult within him.
    Even though he had yet to learn her name.
    *
    The rewards of boldness were not to be underestimated.
    Annelise closed her eyes as the hunter kissed her, unable to fight the pleasure awakened by his touch. If she had ever guessed a kiss could be this wondrous, she might have taken a risk sooner.
    As it was, she never wanted him to stop.
    Even with her eyes closed, Annelise was aware that he was so much taller and broader than she, that he had strength far beyond her own. He was a practical and competent man, one who hunted wolves and killed them. It was easy to see that he took responsibility