Page 19 of Shy Innocent In The Spotlight

CHAPTER SIX

MACKSTOODOUTSIDEthe crofter’s hut and took in a deep lungful of crisp Highland air. Somehow, unburdening himself to Elspeth had loosened the tight knot of pain deep inside his chest that had lain there for years. And yet, she was still intent on carrying on with her charade. How long did she think she could keep it going? While it was amusing to watch her valiantly act in her twin’s persona, he found himself wanting her to confess, especially now they were alone. He wanted her to know he knew exactly who he was kissing. Who he was making love to. That it was increasingly difficult for her to stay in her twin’s persona was more than obvious. But it had to be her decision to confess the twin-switch. How far was she prepared to run with it? That she had taken it this far showed a strong commitment to her twin, which was admirable, but what if there was some other motive? Or was he getting too cynical and jaded?

Mack came back to the hut with the box of supplies the housekeeper had organised for him. Elspeth was sitting on the small sofa in front of the fireplace, her legs curled beneath her. She had changed into casual clothes and her hair was loosened from the up-do and cascaded around her shoulders in a red-gold cloud. He wondered if he had ever seen a more beautiful woman. Or a more desirable one. She unfolded herself from the sofa, her graceful movements and slim figure reminding him of a ballerina. ‘Do you want some help?’

Mack placed the box on the small kitchen table and began to take out the items. ‘It’s okay. I’m used to doing this.’

A shadow passed over her face and her small white teeth sank into her lower lip. ‘Yes, well, no doubt you’ve brought dozens of women up here for a secret getaway.’

He placed the bottle of champagne on the table with a soft thud. ‘Actually, you’re the first person I’ve brought here.’

A look of astonishment came over her face. ‘Really? But why? I mean, why me?’

Good question.

One Mack didn’t have an answer for her other than she was the first woman he’d wanted to bring here to his private sanctuary. The first woman he felt would truly appreciate it in the way he did. The raw beauty of it, the isolation and starkness and untouched wildness speaking to his soul as no other place could. ‘I wanted to get you away from the press and this seemed a good place. The best place. Only a handful of people know it even exists.’

Elspeth tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, her cheeks a faint shade of pink. ‘I guess I should feel honoured...’ Her gaze fell away from his. ‘Mack?’ Her voice was tentatively soft.

‘What’s on your mind?’

‘Nothing.’ Her response was quick. Too quick. Her gaze troubled, her teeth savaging her lip once more, her cheeks a darker shade of pink.

Mack placed a packet of oat crackers on the table next to the cheese and came over to her, taking her by the hands. ‘Is there something you want to say to me?’

‘Just...thank you for bringing me here. It’s a beautiful place and I... I’m glad I don’t have to face the press right now. I would’ve found it too distressing.’

Mack brushed a loose strand of her hair back from her face. ‘But you’re used to handling the press.’

She looked down at their joined hands. ‘Yes, but this is different...everything about this...about us is different...’

He brought her chin up so her gaze met his once more. ‘What’s different about us?’

She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. ‘I’m not really how I’m portrayed in the media. I want you to know that before we...go any further...’

Mack stroked her pink cheek with the broad pad of his thumb, his eyes locked on hers. ‘There’s another Robert Burns quote I like. “O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us! It wad frae mony a blunder free us, An’ foolish notion.”’

She gave an effigy of a smile. ‘So true...’

Mack lowered his mouth to hers in a soft kiss that made his lips tingle and buzz for more. Elspeth sighed against his lips and pressed herself closer, her hands going to the wall of his chest, her lips opening beneath the pressure of his. He wrapped his arms around her, bringing her as close to his aching body as he could. The slim contours of her body exciting him as no other woman had ever done. Need pummelled through him, a pounding, punishing need that drove every other thought out of his mind other than to possess her in order to quell this maddening ache of his flesh.

He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, delighting in the breathless murmurs of encouragement she gave. Her hands moved from his chest to wind around his neck and she stood on tiptoe, bringing her pelvis into blistering contact with his. Mack cupped the sweet curves of her bottom, holding her to his throbbing length, wondering if he had ever felt so aroused before. Something about her shy sensuality stirred his senses into a frenzy. Her body spoke to his in a language as old as the craggy peaks of the Highlands.

Mack placed one of his hands below her right breast, aching to feel the weight of the soft curve in his hand but not wanting to rush her.

Elspeth whispered her approval against his lips. ‘Touch me.’

He needed no other encouragement. He gently peeled away her top and lowered the slim strap of her bra to access her breast. He drank in the sight of her before he brought his mouth to the creamy curve with its rosy peak. He caressed her with his lips and tongue, enjoying the sounds of her pleasure as much as he enjoyed the taste of her in his mouth. He moved to her other breast, uncovering it and caressing it with the same sensual focus. He finally raised his mouth off her soft flesh, looking into her lust-glazed eyes. ‘I wanted you from the moment I met you.’

She stroked her hand down the length of his jaw. ‘That soon?’

He smiled and ran his hands down the sides of her body to bring her hips flush against his. ‘You sound surprised.’

‘I am.’

Mack ran his hands through the silky thickness of her hair. ‘I would have thought you’d be well used to men lusting over you by now.’

Something passed through her gaze like a faint ripple across a body of still water. Her gaze dipped to his mouth, her throat rising and falling over a swallow. ‘Mack?’

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