Page 4 of Kiss Me, Macrae

Any concern she might have had that he could actually get hurt was swept away by the roguish curve of his smile as he turned to sit on the window ledge and brace his back against the frame.

“I suppose you often awake in a stranger’s room after a night of revelry,” she scoffed.

“Never. And I’ve decided tae request a wee favor afore I leap tae my fate.” The rich baritone of his voice and the heat in his eyes made her bare toes curl.

Doing her best to overcome her attraction to the man, she crossed her arms over her chest. “What is it then?”

“Naught of great concern,” he replied. “Just a kiss.”

Chapter 3

“A kiss? Are you still drunk or half-mad as well? I’m not going to kiss you.”

His full beard did little to disguise the sensual curve of his mouth as he grinned wider and cocked his head—eyes sparking with challenge. “Ye will if ye’re wantin’ me tae jump through this window.”

Allegra narrowed her gaze, suddenly wondering why she didn’t feel more threatened by the man. She had never been one to frighten easily, but considering his size, there was every reason she should at least be wary of him.

She swept her gaze over him in a thoughtful perusal. The breadth of his shoulders really was impossibly wide. His hands were large and his fingers long. Even sitting on the windowsill, he remained a couple inches taller than her as she stood before him.

There had been plenty of opportunity for him to take advantage of their unexpected intimacy—both while they’d slept through the night and since they’d awakened. Aside from his brazen teasing and lack of urgency in removing himself from her room, he hadn’t done anything untoward or concerning.

All he wanted was a kiss and then he’d be gone.

At nearly twenty-seven years old, Allegra was no stranger to a man’s kiss. And truly, there was far less risk in agreeing to his terms than in refusing and delaying his departure.

Never one to deliberate for long over any decision, preferring instead to make a choice and accept the results, Allegra gave a sharp nod. “Fine then. One kiss, then out you go.”

The flicker of surprise in his gaze almost gave her pause, but she was already stepping forward between his spread thighs, her hands bracing on his shoulders as she lifted her chin and touched her mouth to his.

It should have been quick.

A brief press of lips, then done.

She couldn’t have anticipated the raw, masculine sound that rumbled from his chest at the first touch of her lips or the way it made her belly dip. Nor had she expected him to wrap his solid arms around her waist to pull her into him until they were flush against each other.

He felt so good—so hard and warm and male—that she forgot all about making the kiss quick. Her belly trembled as sensations rushed through her, sensations that sparked along every nerve and swept rational thought clear from her head.

Another rumbling growl and the thrust of his tongue into her mouth undid her completely.

She melted.

Her arms slid around his neck of their own accord; her breasts flattened to his chest as she leaned into him. And the thick ridge of his growing erection made itself known against the juncture of her thighs.

This time the low moan in the midst of their kiss was her own.

She’d never known a kiss could be so overwhelming—so devouring. His mouth demanded her utter surrender as he thrust his tongue along hers and pulled at her lips with his before dragging his teeth over her lower lip with a rumble of satisfaction in his chest.

The rough sound stirred more heat in her blood and low in her body.

She wanted him to make that sound again. She craved it.

Bringing one hand to the side of his face, she drew her fingernails through the soft texture of his beard before sliding her palm down to rest against his throat where she could feel the fierce rhythm of his pulse. He was so strong. So masculine and intense and big. He could so easily overpower her, yet she didn’t feel the slightest bit vulnerable in his arms. She felt oddly…cherished.

When he lowered one of his large hands to roughly palm her rear, she sighed in satisfaction. As his tongue tangled deliciously—ravenously—with hers, he gripped the back of her bare thigh, lifting her leg until her bent knee rested atop his hard thigh.

His palm was hot and calloused and she wondered what it would feel like sliding over more secret places.

As though reading her mind, he eased his hand up the back of her thigh. She tensed in anticipation, her breath catching. A moment later, he gently cupped the slick heat of her core. Allegra gasped as a fresh pulse of need coursed through her. On instinct, she tipped her hips, pressing herself to his palm.