Page 23 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander

“Yer appetite is bound to get ye in trouble,” he muttered as he speared a piece of meat with his fork.

“Trouble?” She took a slow sip from her cup, savoring the warmth of the ale as she leaned back in her chair. “I think I’m beginnin’ to enjoy trouble.”

The look in his eyes was searing. It sent an ice-cold chill through her body. “Ye have a strange taste in enjoyment, lass.”

“Strange? I’ve merely been given a taste of what it is like to be married to a man who hardly sees me. And what’s stranger, I’m nae sure I’ll settle for it.”

“Careful, Erica. If ye are seekin’ attention, I’ll make sure ye get it—and more.”

Her breath caught, but she didn’t break eye contact, even though her pulse quickened. “Good,” she whispered, “I’d hate to be ignored.”

With a quiet huff of what might have been a laugh, Hunter shook his head. He glanced down, seemingly amused and frustrated in equal measure.

“In that case,” he said drily, “ye’d better eat up. Ye’ll need the strength.”

Erica couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped her lips, though she cataloged the way he looked in the dim light of the inn, the way his guarded expression softened ever so slightly.

Down goes another wall.I should go for another…

“Aye, and can I just say that this meal is quite satisfyin’—almost more than seein’ ye go to such lengths to keep me happy.”

A sardonic smile twisted his mouth as he leaned forward slightly. “Ye think I went to such lengths for ye, lass?”

“Och, I’ve nay doubt,” she declared, her voice soft but bold, that defiance sparking between them once more. “Though I daresay it makes ye look rather… soft.”

The challenge in her words made a muscle in his jaw tick again, as if the bite of her remark had been unexpected but far from unwelcome.

“I’d be careful, Lady MacKinnon,” he cautioned, his voice low. “Some might think ye enjoy goadin’ me.”

Absolutely!

Erica’s lips curled into a sly, almost triumphant smile. “And if I do?”

The quiet admission made Hunter freeze, as if he just realized her game. He leaned closer, his voice barely above a whisper. “Ye might find, wife, that playin’ with fire will get ye burned. Inside and out.”

Her breath hitched, but she refused to look away, unflinchingly resolute.

Maybe I dinnae mind the fire, after all.

Hunter stayed close, letting his words hang between them, watching as her pulse quickened and her hand tightened around her spoon.

He might have won this round, but there are more battles to come.

6

Hunter’s patience was wearing thin. Erica’s coy comments, her subtle flirtatious movements, and the glint of a challenge in her eyes had been teasing him since they left McFair Keep.

He glanced back up to find her still white-knuckling her spoon and squirming in her seat. The act tugged at some place deep in his chest and made his mouth water.

Denying himself the simple pleasure of claiming her was the right thing to do. He knew that he wasn’t worthy of experiencing any pleasure in this world. Not after what happened to his family.

This was his penance.

Good.I deserve this.

He caught sight of Kara, who had been staring at the two of them blatantly, and immediately understood the reason behind her wide-eyed, scandalized expression. He then caught his men exchanging knowing glances and trying their best to hide their smirks.

Christ, of course they had overheard us…