Page 66 of Dark Seduction

“I couldna be happier. But do we have t’ fight again? Ye were so pleased a moment ago.”

Claire sought the covers and pulled them up to her chin. “Let’s not.” This was really unfair, she thought with dread. Eventually he would be with other women, having impossibly great sex, and her fate was to live like a spinster when she got home. But that was fate. He was a supersized, superpowerful Master. And if she was smart, she’d enjoy this for as long as she could.

Claire wondered how long that would be. “Were you faithful to Glenna?”

He looked like a boy caught with his hand in his brother’s piggy bank.

“I didn’t think so,” Claire said slowly. She had to be mature about this. They were literally from different worlds. She could not have the expectations she would have if he was the guy next door and they were lovers in her time.

He spoke slowly. “Do ye wish fer me t’be exclusive with ye?”

Her heart slammed hard. “Er…ugh…I…what?”

He pulled her close, sitting up beside her now. “I dinna mind.”

“What?” Claire said again. Had he hit her over the head, she could not be more stunned.

“I dinna mind bein’ faithful t’ ye,” he said seriously.

“Why?” she managed to say.

He smiled. “I dinna want another woman, lass, an’ if it’s important t’ ye, I dinna mind.” He sobered. “Even though it willna be easy at first. I’ll have to go to Iona every afternoon fer MacNeil’s spell, until I am sure I willna use me powers on ye.” He darkened. “He will love to see me grovelin’.”

Claire remained absolutely shocked. “You are offering me a committed relationship?”

He smiled at her, that beautiful heartwarming, body-melting smile. “Aye. O’ course, ye need to be faithful t’ me, as well. An’stop ogling the Masters an’ thinkin’ about what’s betwixt their legs.”

“Okay.” Claire didn’t have to think about it. She jumped from the bed, reaching for her scattered clothes, turning off her thoughts because she knew he would listen if she did not.

“Yer in a rush t’ leave my bed?” He chuckled.

She faced him, holding her clothes, absolutely unashamed of her nudity. His eyes wandered, warming. “We’re going to Awe,” she reminded him.

His face closed. “I go t’ Awe with Royce an’ Ironheart. Ye’ll be safe at Dunroch with Seamus.”

“Like hell!” she cried, fists on her hips, clothes falling.

He took an eyeful as he stood, his refusal in his eyes.

Claire blocked his path to the door. “If you ever want to enjoy my favors again, you are taking me with you.”

His gaze narrowed. “Ye make threats? I dinna think I need to worry about seducin’ ye.”

“Then I will travel with Black Royce,” she said tersely. “Or Ironheart. One of them will take me.”

His eyes widened and turned hard. “Dinna think to seduce them to yer ways when we have just concluded our bargain!”

“I have no intention of seducing anyone—except you. It’s not my style.” She softened. “Malcolm, how can you even think to leave me here? What if Sibylla comes back for me?” She clasped his shoulders. “And what about tonight? We just started something wonderful.”

“I willna be under MacNeil’s spell t’night an’ without a spell, I willna risk yer life.” He was final.

“I am safer with you than alone.” She was not the kind of pitiful female to use feminine wiles on a man, but she batted her lashes at him and implored, “Please,” using a breathy tone she hadn’t even known she possessed.

And she saw his resolve to deny her crumble. “Are ye entrancin’ me now, lass?” he asked in disbelief.

“I wish.” She smiled.

He pulled her into his embrace. “I never want to argue again, Claire. I mean it. Ye be stubborn an’ headstrong. Ye annoy me to no end. Damn it all! Ye have eyes that go past me soul. I want to please ye, lass, an’ nay just in bed.”