Page 56 of Lachlan in a Kilt

How can I change her mood? Only one thing comes to mind, so I do it. I plunge my fingers between her thighs, molding them to her groin.

Her erse lifts off the seat, and her lips form an O. "Honestly, Lachlan, I'm not impressed by money."

"Not trying to impress you." I reposition my other hand above her head and lazily caress her hair with my fingertips. "I want to earn you."

Earn? What on earth am I saying? But I mean it, don't I? Yes, I suddenly realize I do mean that. I want Erica to trust me, and I need to earn that from her.

How? My only way in is through sex.

I mold my hand to her body, feeling the heat of her desire even through her clothes.

She exhales a shaky breath. "I give."

"What?"

"Please buy me a dress." She rests her hand on mine, pushing it more firmly into her groin. "If you insist."

A groan resonates deep in my throat while I stroke her with my fingertips. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet. You haven't seen the bill."

"Anything for you."

She grips the edges of her seat.

I caress her with my fingers, though her jeans keep me from massaging the parts of her I most need to touch.

"Why are you so determined to have me spend your money?" she asks.

I stop stroking her and watch her expression for a long moment, then I raise my hand to her cheek, leaning in until our lips nearly touch. "Because it matters to you, having the right clothing for the restaurant. I want you comfortable, not embarrassed." I rove my gaze down her body, from her breasts to her hips, where I pause while I remember the heat of her body against my palm, then I let my gaze wander down to her sexy ankles and back up again to her face.

The corner of my mouth curves up. "Though I say you'd stun every man in the place wearing exactly what you've got on now."

She rolls her eyes. "You are so full of it."

"You don't credit yourself enough."

"Nerdy girls don't stun—"

I crush my mouth to hers, silencing her protest. The feel of her lips on mine makes me crave more of her, and I dive my fingers into her hair to tilt her head back. I thrust my tongue between her lips, and deeper still, devouring her with all the hunger she inspires in me, loving the way she responds with equal ardor.

Though I'd love to kiss her for hours, I give up her lips. But I keep our mouths a breath apart. "Never call yourself a nerd again. Never." I brush my lips over hers. "You are perfect,mo leannan."

"What are you calling me now?"

I jerk my head up, and a cold wave crashes through me. "Mo leannan."

"And what does that mean?"

For several seconds, I can't move or speak. Why had I called her my sweetheart in Gaelic? She is nothing more to me than a casual lover. Why, then, do I keep trying to make her feel better? Doesn't matter. I will not get entangled in a relationship with anyone. Maybe Erica will forget aboutmo leannanif I erase it from her memory using the only method I know will work.

I knot my fingers in her hair, catch her lower lip between my teeth, and let it slide out little by little, lapping at her lip until it pops free of my teeth. Then I kiss my way up her cheek and murmur into her ear, "Doesn't matter."

"You're not going to tell me?"

Whatmo leannanmeans? No, I will never tell her that.

I nibble on her earlobe, then suckle it until her body relaxes and she exhales a soft sigh.

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