Page 61 of Tempted By a Highland Beast
Constantine stood and offered her his hand, the same gesture he’d made when they’d shared her horse that first day. But this time, Rowena took it without hesitation, letting him pull her to her feet and lead her to the small area that had been cleared for dancing.
The music was simple but lively, and Constantine found himself moving with an ease he hadn’t felt in years. Rowena was light in his arms, following his lead with natural grace, her skirts swirling around them as they turned.
Around them, other couples had joined the dance, but Constantine barely noticed them. His attention was entirely focused on the woman in his arms, on the way she moved, the way she smiled up at him, the way she felt pressed close against him.
“Ye dance well fer a warrior,” Rowena said as he spun her.
“Ye sound surprised.” Constantine pulled her closer as the music slowed. “I’m a man of many talents.”
“Are ye now?” Rowena’s voice was breathless, whether from the dancing or from their proximity, Constantine couldn’t tell.
“Would ye like tae find out?”
The question hung between them, loaded with possibility and promise. Rowena’s eyes searched his face, and Constantine could see the exact moment when her usual caution began to crumble.
“Maybe I would,” she said softly.
Constantine felt his control slip another notch at the admission. Rowena was looking at him like he was something worthwanting and for the first time since he’d arrived at Duart, Constantine allowed himself to imagine what it might be like to enjoy a life there.
I could get used tae it…
CHAPTER TWENTY
The innkeeper’s words hung in the air like smoke from a dying fire. “Only one room left, I’m afraid. The hunting party took most of what we had.”
Constantine didn’t hesitate. “We’ll take it.”
Rowena’s head snapped toward him, her hazel eyes flashing with indignation. “We’ll?—”
“Aye, we will.” His tone brooked no argument, and he leaned closer, whispering near her ear. “Unless ye prefer sleeping in the stables.”
The innkeeper, oblivious to the tension crackling between them, nodded eagerly and handed Constantine a heavy iron key. “Top of the stairs, last door on the right. I’ll have someone bring up hot water fer washing.”
Rowena’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. She turned on her heel and stalked toward the narrow staircase, her spine rigid with fury. She heard Constantine follow at a measured pace. She tried to ignore him and the growing pit in her stomach, as they were heading to share a room for the first time.
Will he try tae kiss me again?
“Stubborn lass,” he muttered under his breath.
She heard him anyway. “I can hear ye, ye arrogant—” She bit off the curse, climbing the stairs with enough force to make the old wood creak in protest.
The room was smaller than Rowena had expected, dominated by a single bed that, while large enough for two, suddenly seemed intimate in the flickering candlelight. A washbasin sat on a rough wooden table, and a narrow window looked out over the village’s darkened rooftops.
Rowena spun to face him the moment the door closed, her red hair catching the golden light like flame. “The floor.”
Constantine raised an eyebrow. “What about it?”
“That’s where ye’ll be sleeping.” She crossed her arms over her chest, chin lifted in challenge. “I’ll nae share a bed with ye till we’re married.”
“Aye, ye will.” He set their travel packs down with deliberate calm, then began unlacing his jerkin. “The bed’s large enough fer both of us, and I’m nae sleeping on cold stone tae spare yer delicate sensibilities.”
“Delicate sensibilities?” Her voice pitched higher. “Ye arrogant?—”
“Careful, lass. Ye’re showing yer breeding.” The smirk that curved his lips was maddening in its composure. “Or lack thereof.”
Rowena’s hands clenched into fists. “I have more breeding in me little finger than ye?—”
“Than a bastard?” Constantine’s voice remained level, but something dangerous flickered in his dark eyes. “Aye, ye dae. But bastard or nae, I’m nae sleeping on the floor. We’re discussing marriage, Rowena. A bit of shared sleeping space hardly constitutes a scandal.”
