He stood back and gave her a once-over. “God’s bloody stones,” he growled.

She glanced downward. “What is it?”

He tossed her the shirt. “Put this on.”

She did as told while he stood back and crossed his arms, a disapproving slant to his brows. “You still look too bloody female.”

She flicked her damp tresses. “With my hair shorn?”

“Your hair has nothing to do with it.” He brushed his hand over the floorboards, then smeared her face. “A bit of dirt will help.”

“Och, I just bathed, ye ken.”

“Aye, and you smell a great deal better.” He opened his trunk and retrieved a man’s feathered bonnet. “Wear this low over your brow and try to scowl as much as possible.”

She put it on. “What about shoes?”

His gaze dropped to her toes while his tongue tapped his upper lip. “Are you still more comfortable in bare feet?”

She turned one foot inward. “I reckon so.”

“Mine are far too large and you cannot skip across the main deck wearing a pair of women’s slippers. You’ll have to go without until we call into port.” He took a step nearer and pinched the front of her shirt. “I’ll buy you a pair of square-toes.”

A sharp gasp slipped through her lips as he tugged her closer—so close his breath warmed her forehead. Divana dared to look into his eyes. He stood very still, the reflection in those mysterious pools of green ravenous.

“A-are ye hungry?” she whispered.

His lips parted slightly while his gaze fell to her mouth. “Starved.”

Aye, she knew exactly what he meant. The hardest part of being so near him was no touching and no kissing. As she rose onto her toes, her body couldn’t manage to remember the rules. Just one wee kiss. She studied the fullness of his masculine lips while a torrent of energy swirled throughout her body.

Time slowed as his chin dipped. And with her next blink, he swept her into his arms and covered her mouth.

Riding a wave of unbridled longing, Divana grasped his cheeks as she closed the distance. The day’s growth on his face felt like sandpaper beneath her fingers, the masculinity of it serving to heighten her need. His tongue swept into her mouth with bold strokes, every bit as raw and unapologetic as it was seductive.

Her toes curled as she matched his fervor swirl for swirl. Why had she pushed him away at Beltane? Why, when she’d wanted him so desperately?

Divana threw her head back as he trailed tiny kisses along her neck, making her body tingle in places she must never mention. She grew numb as he lifted her into his arms and carried her across the floor and set her on the bed.