A HIGHLANDER FOR THE HOLIDAYS
By Dawn Halliday
Aileen smiled. “Do you remember the tree stump?”
“Aye. How could I forget?”
Whenever either of them had seen Munro in one of his rages,
they’d lay a piece of heather over the stump of a fallen birch tree in the
bailey to warn the other to stay clear of Munro that day. Her warnings had
saved Niall from beatings at least a dozen times.
“The stump is gone,” he mused. Upon riding through the
castle gates, he’d been assailed by memories of his time here, and he’d looked
for the stump, only to find smooth ground where it had once been.
She nodded. “’Twas dug up a few years ago. I miss it. It
saved me many times.”
“Aye,” he said gruffly. “Me too.”
The reminiscent look on her face called to him. His body
resonated with the urge to draw her lush body into his arms, to hold her,
comfort her…make love to her…
He shook himself free of that thought. “’Tis good I have
been gone so long. Otherwise, I dinna think…” I could have kept my hands off
you.
“Is that why you went away?” she asked. “You felt you
couldna protect me from him?” She laughed, a soft, smooth sound that slipped
under his skin like a warm caress. “If you defended the honor of every wife
whose husband took a mistress, you’d be occupied every minute of the day.”
“I’ve no desire to defend every wife,” he said. “Only you.”
Her gaze strayed away, and she didn’t speak. Instead, she
took his hand and drew him toward the fire. The gold glow of the lantern light
caught the subtle sheen of tears in her eyes before she knelt at his feet to
remove his shoes.
Niall stiffened at the gesture. This was inappropriate. He
touched his fingers to the top of her head.
“Please dinna kneel.”
She bowed her head. “Let me help you prepare for your bath,
Niall. ’Twill me great pleasure.”
“I’m your servant, milady.” He’d do anything she asked of
him. Even watch her bow at his feet when he ought to be bowing before her.
His fingers itched to stroke her head, to touch that sleek
black fall of hair, to caress the gentle slope of her cheekbone. But the
Mackenzie had sent Niall here to fetch his sister, to accompany her to Ellandonan
as her protector, not to seduce her. To touch her would be to betray his oath
to the laird.
There would be no way to hide his arousal when she undressed
him. He would shame himself.
As her deft fingers worked the laces on his boots, he tried
to think of anything but the thought of her hands on his body. He forced his
mind to saddling a temperamental horse. To the puffed cheeks of a man playing
the bagpipes. To haggis…
She moved behind him and with skilled precision untied his
belt, which she placed on the table beside the bed. Niall helped her to lift
off his mail shirt and unwrap his plaid. Her fingertips skimmed over the side
of his arse as she worked it off him. Just like that, all thoughts of haggis
and everything else fled, until there was only Aileen and her touch. Niall gritted
his teeth so hard his jaw ached.
Was her touch deliberate? An invitation?
Of course it wasn’t. The mail shirt and plaid dropped to the
planked floor. Still standing behind him, she reached down to clasp the bottom
of his shirt. In one motion, she pulled it over his head.
He stood naked, his arousal painfully thrust out. Thankfully,
she didn’t move from behind him.
“You must be weary,” she said quietly, touching the back of
his shoulder with gentle fingers. “One of your men told me how hard you rode
from Ellandonan. I…” Her voice caught. “Please,” she whispered. “The bath is
ready.”
*~*~*~*
COWBOY JACKPOT: CHRISTMAS
Cowboy Jackpot Series, Book 1
Randi Alexander
Award Winning Novella. A lucky first kiss in front of a Las Vegas slot machine pays off big for bull rider Boone Hancock and college student Gigi Colberg-Staub.
*~*~*~*
A NAUGHTY NOELLE
The 19th Precinct, Book 1.5
Ann Bruce
When injured vice cop Sergio Ramirez accepts Noelle Mason’s offer to help him, she has no idea the danger she faces, most of it from her desire to share her bed with him.
*~*~*~*
HOLIDAY SURPRISE: UNWRAPPED
Aliyah Burke
Recuperating in wintery Massachusetts, Heath Dixon gives cold-hating Kassia Green something much hotter to focus on. But can he keep her after Christmas? Like…forever?
*~*~*~*
CHRISTMAS ANGEL
Opal Carew
Given one chance to break the curse which has held Angelique in its grip for two hundred years, she is faced with a heart-rending decision. Can she sacrifice Nick's happiness for her own freedom?
*~*~*~*
A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS
Dawn Halliday
In the wintery Highland mountains, Aileen and Niall unleash their forbidden passion. But Aileen is promised to another this Christmas, and the wicked Lowlander will stop at nothing to have her.
*~*~*~*
ILLICIT CHRISTMAS
Yvette Hines
Even during the holidays a woman can have one reckless night that will change her life forever...especially when the man she was with is determined to prove they belong together.
*~*~*~*
HER XMAS PRESENT
Christin Lovell
After being apart from each other for a year, Libby and Tyler realize their feelings for one another are more than platonic. Are they willing to risk years of friendship on a chance at love?
*~*~*~*
ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS
Paige Tyler
Hayley Knowles has always fantasized about getting spanked by her husband, Conner. But how can she possibly ever get her husband to do it, especially since she’s too shy to tell him? This is the holiday season, though, so maybe Hayley might get exactly what she wants for Christmas!
*~*~*~*
Get your copy for .99 at the ebook retailers below!
BARNES AND NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-naughty-little-christmas-randi-alexander/1117441332
Stop by each day for a sneak peek at each book from each author in the boxed set!
*hugs*
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment