Her world spun out of control. She had been kissed before, but never like this, leaving her desperately wanting to find what came next.
She should stop him. Tara was well practiced in the art of refusal. Any twenty-five year old virgin would have to be. But instead of halting his actions, she followed his lead. Her head tilted back when his mouth left hers and moved to her neck. Her body quaked, a new sensation, and she expected more if she let him continue.
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God help her. She wanted him to continue.
“You’re so beautiful.”
Duncan’s lips sent tremors over the lobes of her ear. An ache deep in her stomach started to grow.
She dug her nails in to his back and arched toward him. Wanting. Needing. “Oh God,” she gasped, giving in to each new sensation. “This isn’t happening.”
“Aye, love. It is.” His mouth fused again with hers, giving no time to think and only time to feel.
His movements grew bolder.
She encouraged him with eager cries.
Smoke whirled around in her head with each new touch and taste. His hand captured her breast...
Instinctively she pushed it away.
“Let me, Tara. Let me show you how it can be.”
His words were so tender and tempting.
Her brain engaged. “Wait.” What was she doing?
Duncan told her he brought her here for seduction and here she was letting him. “No.”
Although he stopped with her first request, Duncan left his body where it was, glued to hers. He dropped his forehead to her shoulder and gasped for breath.
Embarrassed, Tara felt like a tease. She had always prided herself on keeping a man at arm’s length. Men weren’t switches who could be turned off and on at a woman’s whim. “I’m sorry.”
“No, lass, I’m sorry. You told me you weren’t ready for this. Here, I am pushing you.” Duncan looked at her and brushed the hair from her eyes. “I couldn’t seem to stop myself.”
“I suppose that’s a compliment.” She attempted a laugh to change the mood, but it came out as a soft moan.
“The best kind of compliment.” He brushed a brief kiss over her lips before he moved away. “We should head back. We don’t want Gra...Gwen’s men 45
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to send a search party to look for you.”
Nerves rapidly replaced passion. Duncan stood up and gave her a hand, bringing her to her feet.
“It’s getting late.” Tara fidgeted with her dress, smoothing invisible lines in an effort to act natural.
Tara admired his muscular body from lowered lashes while he packed their things. His broad shoulders narrowed to great hips and an even nicer ass. She rolled her eyes and looked away. She shouldn’t be thinking about his ass.
Duncan’s horse snorted when Tara approached him. She spoke calmly and stroked his cheek. “He’s a beautiful animal. Is he yours?”
Duncan secured his bag before rounding the animal to catch the bridle. “Aye, I’ve owned Durk for many years now.”
“So, you live close by?” She hoped.
“I wouldn’t say close.”
He was being evasive. Why? “Where is your home?” Best way to get a direct answer was to ask a direct question.
He paused. “I told you I was from Scotland.”
“Oh, right. You brought your horse on vacation?”
Her heart sank in her chest. Scotland. Too far for any chance of a relationship. But he hadn’t asked for a relationship, had he?
He said nothing.
Disappointed, Tara looked up to see him watching her. “So, you and I...” She waved a finger between the two of them. “…would have ended up being a weekend affair, if we didn’t stop?”
Duncan hesitated. Before he could answer, she held up a hand. “No, please don’t lie. I’d like to believe there is honor amongst some men.” She swallowed hard trying to remove the dryness, which crept into her throat. “When are you planning to go home?”
He searched her eyes, then said, “My brother 46
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and I will leave after the fair ends.”
“I thought so. Since you’ve been so honest to me, I’ll be perfectly honest with you.” She took a calming breath and looked away. “If I were into casual sex, I wouldn’t have remained a virgin for twenty-five years. I’m not sure if the man I marry will be my first. But, it needs to mean more, to me and the man I’m with, than just a fling. I hope you can respect that.”
Tara scratched Durk’s nose to look more confident than she felt. She had said similar words to other men in the past. Some would outright lie in an attempt to get her in bed. Others would say they understood, but never called again. Either way, Tara was glad she didn’t sleep with any of them, even if it meant she spent her Saturday nights alone.