Page 93 of Highland Spy

He stayed within her while they caught their breath, both panting, then finally slid himself from her.

She smiled up at him, a shy smile he was unused to seeing from her.

The warm hum of spent lust waned and was replaced with a chill.

He had taken her innocence.

He had nothing to offer Ariana, save the hope of an empty castle when he’d finally fulfilled his service to King James in seven years, that and a lot of failed dreams.

An uncomfortable moment of silence fell between them. Perhaps he ought to say something.

“I’m sorry,” he offered.

The languid expression on her face tightened to something else—disbelief? Anger?

Either way, it was not good.

“You’re sorry.” Her brows knit together.

She studied his face for a brief moment before turning away from him. He reached an arm over her. She did not resist his touch.

He hugged her to his body, and again she did not reject him.

She fit so well against him, better than he cared to admit. He could see himself like this every night too easily, his blood hot from their lovemaking, her body curled in the embrace of his.

And every morning he could wake to find her sweet face, rosy with slumber, before she woke and gave him one of her beautiful smiles.

But that couldn’t be.

He was sorry. Not for him, but for her.

She had her good name still, and her reputation, since they’d kept her cheating at cards silent. He had no idea if King James would ever release the women, but if he did, Ariana would have been able to find a place back at court.

Doing so would not be impossible, but she wouldn’t be able to wed now, not with the absence of her maidenhead.

The warm, lulling aftereffects of their coupling had long since cooled. He would not see her harmed further. Not after what she’d already been through with the man she killed.

Of one thing he knew for certain—he could not implicate her in MacAlister’s death.

Tomorrow, he would wake before her and he would kill MacAlister alone.

• • •

Ariana was awake long before she opened her eyes. The ground was hard beneath her and Connor was no longer there. She hadn’t expected him to stay.

Heat burned her cheeks and she wished she could clench her eyes tight enough to somehow make herself disappear. It’d been so special to her. So beautiful and passionate and the most incredible thing she’d ever experienced.

The soreness between her legs warmed at the thought, but she jerked her thoughts away from her enjoyment.

Connor had obviously regretted it. Knowing that left her feeling hollow.

And embarrassed.

How could she face him today knowing what they’d shared?

Should she act as if it hadn’t happened?

Her cheeks flamed hotter still.