Devils Highlander (Clan MacAlpin 1)

“Always wondered… “ They approached the midpoint, and he slowed their steps, prolonging their contact. He canted his head down to hers. Instead of finishing his thought, the completion of an earlier conversation came out in a rush. “You'd said you asked after me. Did you truly, Ree? Did you think of me, all these years?” Their hands parted as they reached the end, and they returned to their rows, their eyes locked as they took their places in the lines.

He was asking for no less than a glimpse into her soul. It felt like a critical moment, a leap into the unknown, a moment to be reckless with her feelings or to tread with care.

There was nothing to consider. Had she thought of him? She'd done nothing but think of him. She nodded slowly, and a smile spread wide on his face.

A truly unfettered smile from Cormac. She hadn't seen the sight in nigh on thirteen long years. She beamed back at him.

The dance became a blur around them, and soon their turn came again. His strong arm linked with hers. The smile was gone from his face now, his tone fierce and low. “I thought of you, too, Ree. Asked after you, too. ” Could it be? Could he care for her as she did for him? The mere thought made her tremble.

All the couples paired off as the dance approached its finale. And as the music sped, Cormac braced her elbow with a firm hand, spinning her faster and faster till she thought her feet would leave the ground.

He laughed aloud, and the exultation on his face made her heart soar.

The music stopped abrupdy, and they fell into each other, their hearts pounding an erratic beat against their chests. He held her longer than was strictly appropriate, but the couples shifting and rearranging around them seemed oblivious to two lovers on the periphery.

Reality slowly pierced Marjorie's consciousness, and she began to pull away, but Cormac gripped her arm, stilling her. His breath stirred her hair, and she felt warmed utterly from within. As she gradually caught her own breath, she realized Cormac stood frozen, his body seized, breathing measured, and every muscle tense and still as granite.

“Cormac?” she whispered, unlinking her elbow from his to run her hand up his arm.

He turned into her to hug her close, caressing his hand up the side of her torso. He stroked his thumb scandalously along the edge of her breast and shuddered in a breath, and she became aware of another aspect of his body grown terribly hard.

“Oh… “ she gasped. She nestled closer, his manhood digging into her belly, and she felt wicked and free. “Oh. ”

“Come, Ree,” he told her, his voice husky. Their eyes met, his blue-gray gaze turned dangerously intense in the shadows. “Come wi

th me. ”

Chapter 19

Marjorie looked up at Cormac, her heart skittering madly. She curled her fingers into the sleeve of his coat in an effort to steady herself. “Where are you taking me?”

“Why, all this dancing is making you faint, aye?” He brushed an errant lock from her damp brow. Putting his hand over hers, he pulled her grip from his sleeve, twining her fingers with his. “It seems to me I need to take you to find yourself some sort of… salon in which to recover. ”

“Ohh. I see. ” She bit back a smile. She put a dramatic hand to her chest. “Why yes. I think I am feeling a bit light-headed. ”

“Damn,” Cormac whispered, his features sharpening.

“What is it?”

Pressing his hand on her shoulder, he attempted to steer Marjorie to the left, but it was too late. A knot of dancers had parted to reveal the bailie. He'd spotted them and, with a broad grin, was heading straight toward them.

“Damn,” she repeated with gusto, and Cormac's startled laugh almost made the disappointment worth it.

“Why if it isn't Lord and Lady Brodie!” Forbes extended his arms in a hearty greeting. “Welcome, welcome. ” His gaze shifted from Cormac to Marjorie, a question in his eyes.

She schooled her features, realizing she must look the picture of stunned outrage.

“But is aught the matter?” he asked them.

Marjorie deflated. Aught indeed. She'd been about to get Cormac alone.

She steeled herself. The bailie was the whole reason they were there. Never would they get a better opportunity to gather information, to find Davie. And, as much as it vexed her, she knew Cormac was the one to do it. She adopted what she hoped was the expression of a fainting flower.

“I'm afraid I'm feeling light-headed. ” She gave Cormac a pointed look, hoping he'd understand her message: it was up to him now. “Perhaps I shall seek out the company of the other ladies?”

“Ah, yes,” Forbes said, understanding her dilemma at once. “The fire blazes high, and what with all the dancers, women with such fine constitutions as your own are wont to need a rest. ” It took an effort not to swat the bailie's arm and give him a dose of her fine constitution. She nodded weakly instead.

“You'll find a number of the wives in a small sitting room just beyond the library,” he continued. “And might I recommend a sip of my wife's ambrosia? Don't fear,” he added in an aside to Cormac. “It'll be sure to put the color back in your wife's cheeks. ”