Inching closer, her mind whispering she was almost denied this chance, who knew if circumstances might snatch it away, if death would come for her next time, her lips connected with his. She closed her eyes, melting into his warmth and softness, pressing closer. The beauty of such sweet contact made her insides burn so hot, she moaned.

The sound made her jerk back in horror. What had she done?

A pair of sable eyes gazed into hers. ‘Good morning, Sorcha,’ growled the captain, touching the corner of his mouth. ‘Do you oft wake your guests in such a charming way?’

Even in the dim light of the bedroom, his devil-eyes twinkled.

‘I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry. So sorry.’ She buried her head in her hands momentarily, before moving them away. She would confront what she’d done. Face him. ‘I don’t know what I was thinking…’

With barely any effort, he drew her into his arms. She didn’t resist. ‘Och, lass, I think you do.’ He pushed his nose into her cheek and then ran it down the side of her neck. She shivered as she felt his warm breath upon her skin. His mouth trawled across her jawline, hovering above her lips. ‘And just so you ken, I’m thinking the exact same thing.’

Before she could protest, he kissed her.

Gentle at first, as she opened her mouth in response to his liquid tongue, pushing herself into him, his lips became firmer, wilder. One of his hands cupped her face, the other held the back of her head. Daringly, she twined her arms around him, tugging his shirt from his breeches so she could stroke his skin.

It was smooth, warm, and he shuddered beneath her touch, groaning into her mouth. In a single move, he rolled her onto her back. She hissed with pain. He lifted himself onto his elbows, pulling away slightly. ‘Are you all right, Sorcha? I didn’t mean to —’

With a click of annoyance, she reached for him and arched her back to keep the link with his body, to feel his strength, his hardness against her. Pushing aside her discomfort, she focussed on her need.

‘Are you sure you want this? You’ll not regret it after?’ he asked softly.

Sorcha pushed her fingers into the thickness of his jet black hair, and clenched it tightly. ‘I’ll only regret it if we don’t. But what about you, Aidan? Will you regret it?’

‘Regret what I’ve dreamed of since I first saw you? I don’t think so.’

Sorcha smoothed his hair from his face. ‘Ah, but I’m a very different woman from that one.’

‘Not to me,’ said the captain. ‘To me, you’re more beautiful than ever.’ He began to pluck at her shift, tugging it up over her legs, her stomach, exposing her torso.