Page 337 of Wicked Highland Heroes

He grunted with the effort of removing the second boot. “You believe it proper to lock a door against me?”

“It is my right.”

“You were not against my coming to you earlier this evening.”

“I never agreed,” she said.

“You showed no signs of disagreeing.”

“You are mad!”

A low chuckle was followed by, “Probably.”

“I am no more interested in your company tonight then I was when you paid your last visit,” she said.

Iain was quiet for a moment, then said in a thoughtful tone, “This visit was not unannounced.

That was your complaint?”

“You do not own me, Iain MacPherson. I am not your possession to dally with at your leisure.”

“Possession?” Iain shifted and strong fingers clamped around her bare shoulders. She found herself sitting across hard thighs, his breath hot on her face. His mouth came down on hers in a rough kiss. He pulsed beneath her bottom. Her pulse accelerated. Awareness that her cotton chemise offered no protection against his unyielding body sent a shiver through Victoria, and she was sure the wail of the dark storm she had glimpsed earlier moved across her captor’s soul.

He caught her lower lip between his teeth and nibbled it with just enough force to hold her motionless. A tremor rippled through Victoria. Iain released her. She pushed herself from his lap and scrambled to the other side of the bed, heart hammering.

“Is that how a man treats a possession?” he demanded.

Warmth still lingered where his mouth had touched hers, and a ghost feel of him beneath her buttocks caused a quiver in her stomach. Desire?

Tears rushed to the surface.

“I am not your mistress,” she blurted, “or your wife—to take you into my bed when you’ve just come from another woman’s bed.”

Deadly silence followed. “Nay, lass, you are not.” The reasonable tone of his voice confused her.

“But why do you think I would ask that of you?” he asked.

Victoria hesitated, then realized there was no reason to withhold the truth. “I saw you tonight…at the cottage.”

“Ahh,” he said in the same reasonable voice.

“Providence has seen fit to punish me.” “What?”

“I was not in her bed,” he said.

“Not in her bed—I am no fool. I saw her welcome you.” And his reception of that welcome.

“Love, I did not bed her. I went to tell her I would not be bedding her anymore.”

Victoria’s heart hammered. “What—that is ridiculous. You—you cannot need me when you have her.”

“I never said I needed both of you,” he shot back.

Victoria stiffened at recognizing annoyance in his voice. “It is your right to do as you please…” She trailed off, cheeks unexpectedly heating at the thought of what he might please to do with his mistress.

“If I did what I pleased, sweet, we would not be talking. You understand, I will have you.”

Panic roared to life and she backed up.