Page 30 of Taken By her Highland Enemy

It was two male servants. They were lugging in a large metal tub, and they placed it in front of the fire. Once they’d laid it down, they both glanced at Isabelle, but then looked away quickly, embarrassed. Isabelle looked out of the window, unsure of what to do.

One boy said, “We will begin hauling up the water now, sir. It has been heated well and proper.”

“Good.” Before Eamon had said the word to her in a low, purring voice, but this time, it was stern and emotionless. Such a change. Well, she supposed he could be that way, flitting from one emotion to the next.

Once the servants left, Isabelle said, “I suppose I should go and let you bathe in peace.” She walked towards the door, but Eamon’s arm shot out and grabbed her by the elbow. She looked down at it, and he pulled it away.

“Forgive me, lass, I know ye dinnae wish me tae touch ye there, but I am asking ye tae stay.” He swallowed, and Isabelle could see he was in earnest.

“Why?” she asked softly.

He was about to pull her towards him again when the servants returned, carrying a large cauldron of water. “Here we are, Sir. One more after this, and ye will be ready.”

Eamon nodded and put his hands on his hips.

Isabelle had a strong and sudden urge to laugh. They kept getting interrupted, and she could tell Eamon was getting frustrated. Once the men poured in the water and left to retrieve more, she and Eamon waited with the door open, and Isabelle tried to keep herself from bursting out laughing while she tried to find somewhere to look.

She liked to think of Eamon as anxious to be alone with her. He had said as much had he not. The reason he wanted to was still a mystery. The servants returned again, pouring the last of the water into the bath. Eamon placed a coin in each of their hands. “Thank ye, sir!” They skipped out of the room, and Eamon and Isabelle were alone again. The silence felt heavy as she waited for something, for anything to happen. Eamon is the one who wanted me to stay, he should say something!

Then, she remembered Arya’s words of guidance. This was her chance to see how Eamon felt. If there really was a chance between them, she should try to find out what it was. She took a breath and looked up. Eamon was watching her as he stood by the door.

“Why did you want me to stay, Eamon?”

Suddenly, Isabelle listened to the words pouring out of him quickly. “I want ye tae stay because, although we run for our lives from yer father, I can think of naething else but ye. I know we are in danger, and that we will probably die for capturing ye, especially with our lack of numbers, but I cannae help it.”

Isabelle blinked in surprise, her lips parted. She didn’t know what to say.

He continued, stepping closer. “I know ye are our captive, but I cannae stop my mind from thinking about the way yer violet eyes light up when ye have a plan. The way ye order me around even though ye are supposed tae be my prisoner. The way ye felt in my arms that day in the woods when ye kissed me.” He was standing so close to her that she had to look up to see into his eyes. “Ye did kiss me back, did ye nae?”

Isabelle nodded.

“I have thought of little else but that kiss for days. I know I didnae expect ye tae be in my room this evening, but I am glad that ye came.” His voice was low and gentle as he uttered the words. Eamon leaned forward, dipping his head slowly towards hers. Isabelle closed her eyes, aching for the kiss, lifting her arms to wrap them around his waist. But nothing happened. She waited but then opened her eyes to see he was watching her.

“What is it?”

“I want tae make sure that ye want this too, lass. I know the last time, I merely grabbed ye, but I cannae do that again, even though my body yearns with desire for ye.” Isabelle smiled and stood up on her tiptoes to capture his mouth. They pulled away, smiling until their lips met again, and Isabelle felt herself float away in a dream. Without breaking the kiss, Eamon placed her against the wall, allowing his hands to roam freely down her neck, over her breasts, and down to end on her buttocks. She cried out into his mouth as she let the warm tingle of desire spread its way from her core to her very fingertips. She could feel the heat mounting in the apex of her thighs, and unfamiliar moisture spread there.

She wanted Eamon more than ever. Never before had she felt such a dangerous desire for a man, and it threatened to tear her apart. She felt his strong arms and the muscles in his back as she made her own adventurous journey with her hands. His kiss was entrancing. His tongue was exploring her mouth, and they engaged in a sensual dance as they found themselves wanting more of each other.

Eamon pulled away abruptly, leaving Isabelle surprised, and cold without the heat of his strong body pressed up against her. She saw the steam rising from the bath in front of the hearth. He looked at it as well, and then returned his eyes to hers, the glint of a smile on his face. “Bath, my lady?”

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