Maya Banks - Never Love a Highlander

H esitantly, she pressed her lips to his. Just barely a touch, but it was like a streak of lightning. Hot. His toes even tingled as if theyd been dipped in fire.

It took every bit of his restraint not to roll her onto the bed and kiss her senseless. His newfound patience and desire to not frighten the daylights out of her was one of his more stupid decisions.

She drew away immediately, her eyes wide, a touch of pink suffusing her soft cheeks. Then she slid one hand up his chest and over his shoulder, staring warily at him the whole while as if she expected him to bite her for daring to touch him. Jesu, but he was nigh to the point of begging her to touch him.

Her fingers wandered to his neck and then she put her mouth carefully to his again. This time she remained there as she tentatively explored his mouth. With her tongue. Sweet mother of God, this was killing him.

She stirred restlessly against him as she pressed closer, her mouth hotly fused to his.

A surge of lust rolled through his body, but he held back, not wanting to destroy the sweetness of her offering. She was an innocent for all her warrior ways and attempts at acting like a man. She deserved all the gentleness and wooing he could muster, though God only knew hed deserve sainthood before this was over with.

Tis not unpleasant, this kissing, she whispered.

Never Love a Highlander is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

A Ballantine Books Original

Copyright 2011 by Maya Banks
Excerpt from In Bed with a Highlander copyright 2011 by Maya Banks
Excerpt from Seduction of a Highland Lass copyright 2011 by Maya Banks

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

B ALLANTINE and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House, Inc.

eISBN: 978-0-345-51952-8

Cover illustration: Alan Ayers

www.ballantinebooks.com

v3.1

The weather for her first wedding had been a splendor of nature. An unseasonably warm day in January. Quite balmy with nary a breeze to ruffle her carefully arranged hair. It was as if the world stood still to witness the joining of two souls.

A snort rippled from Rionna McDonalds throat, eliciting a raised eyebrow from her soon-to-be husband.

The weather for her second wedding? Gloomy and dank with a winter storm pushing in from the west. Already a brisk chill had set in and the wind blew in fierce, relentless sheets. As if the world knew just how uncertain she was about the man who stood beside her, ready to recite the vows that would bind him to her forever.

A shiver skirted up her spine despite the fact that they stood in front of the huge fire in the great hall.

Caelen frowned and stepped closer to Rionna as if to shield her from the draft blowing through the furs at the window. She took a hasty step back before thinking better of it. The man made her nervous, and not many people intimidated her.

He frowned harder, then turned his attention back to the priest.

Rionna cast a quick glance around, hoping no one had witnessed that particular exchange. It wouldnt do for people to think she was afraid of her new husband. Even if she was.

Ewan McCabe, the oldest McCabe brother and the first man she was supposed to have married, stood by his brothers side, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He looked anxious to be done with the whole thing.

Alaric McCabe, the man shed very nearly wed after Ewan got himself married to Mairin Stuart, also looked impatient and kept glancing toward the stairs as if he might run out at any moment. Rionna couldnt blame him, though. His new wife, Keeley, was above stairs recovering from a wound that had nearly ended her life.

Third time was a charm, right?

King David wasnt standing for the occasion. He sat regally by the fire, looking on with approval as the priest droned on. Around him, also sitting, were the many lairds from neighboring lands. All waiting for the alliance between the McDonalds and the McCabes. An alliance that would be sealed upon her marriage to Caelen McCabe, the youngestand lastMcCabe brother.

It was important to denote last because if anything went amiss with this wedding, there were no more McCabes for her to marry, and at this point, her pride couldnt withstand another rejection.

Her gaze skittered from the king and assembled lairds to her dour-faced father who sat away from the assembled warriors, an unmanly, sullen pout twisting his features.

For a moment their stares locked and then his lip turned up into a snarl. She hadnt supported him in his bid to keep his position of laird. It was probably disloyal of her. She wasnt sure that Caelen McCabe would be a better laird, but surely he was a better man.

She became aware that all eyes were on her. She glanced nervously toward the priest and realized that shed missed her cue to recite her vows. Even more embarrassing, she had no idea what the man had said.

This is where you promise to obey me, cleave only unto me, and remain faithful all your days, Caelen drawled.

His words stiffened her spine and she couldnt call back the glare as she speared him with her gaze.

And what exactly are you promising me?

His pale green eyes stroked coolly over her, assessing and then lifting as if he found nothing of import. She didnt like that look. Hed all but dismissed her.

Youll gain my protection and the respect due a lady of your station.

Thats all?

She whispered the words, and shed have given anything not to have let them slip. It was no wonder shed been left wanting, though. Ewan McCabe clearly adored his wife, Mairin, and Alaric had just defied king and country to be with the woman he lovedeffectively casting Rionna aside in the process.

Not that she was angry. She dearly loved Keeley, and Keeley deserved happiness. That a man as strong and handsome as Alaric had publicly proclaimed his love for Keeley gladdened Rionnas heart.

But it also brought home how sterile her own marriage would be.

Caelen made a sound of exasperation. Exactly what is it that you want, lass?

She raised her chin and stared back at him every bit as cool. Nothing. Tis enough. Ill have your respect and your regard. I wont be needing your protection, though.

His eyebrow rose. Is that so?

Aye. I can see to my own protection.

Caelen chuckled and more laughter rose from the assembled men. Say your vows, lass. We dont have all day. The men are hungry. Theyve been waiting a feast for nearly a fortnight now.

Agreement rumbled through the room and her cheeks burned. This was her wedding day and she wouldnt be rushed. Who cared about the food and the mens stomachs?

As if sensing that she was working herself into a righteous fury, Caelen reached over, snagged her hand, and pulled her up next to his side until his thigh burned into hers through the material of her dress.

Father, Caelen said respectfully, if youll tell the lass what she needs to say again.