Page 76 of A Touch So Wicked

“Coward,” Damian called after her.

Elissa worked in the infirmary beside Nan until all the wounded had been treated.

“Time to wash up and join our kinsmen for the noon meal,” Nan said, as she ushered Elissa to the small chamber separate from the infirmary where fresh water and towels awaited.

“There you are,” Damian said as he entered the dimly lit chamber. “How are the wounded faring?”

“Well on the road to recovery, yer lordship,” Nan replied.

“Excellent,” Damian said. “The noon meal is being served. Are you finished here?”

“Aye, but sit ye down first so I can change yer bandage.”

Startled, Elissa’s gaze traveled over Damian, looking for an injury. She saw nothing to indicate he’d been hurt.

“’Tis but an insignificant scratch and nearly healed,” Damian maintained.

“I insist, me lord,” Nan said, leading him to a bench. “Infection is a danger no matter how slight the wound.”

Damian sat down and lifted his arm for Nan’s inspection.

“Raise yer shirtsleeve while I fetch my basket from the infirmary,” Nan directed.

Elissa gave a small cry as she stared at Damian’s arm. A blood-soaked bandage covered a slash from shoulder to elbow. She dropped down beside him and carefully peeled away the soiled bandage.

“I thought you said ’twas nothing.”

Damian shrugged. “A minor annoyance. It looks worse than it is.”

Nan rejoined them a moment later. “’Tis a shallow wound, but all wounds have the potential to fester.” She smiled approvingly. “Yer wound is clean and healthy, me lord. Elissa can apply salve and a fresh bandage. She is as adept at it as I am.”

Elissa sent Nan a fulminating look. Nan returned the look with a knowing grin and hurried off. Elissa returned her attention to Damian; he was staring at her with an intensity that sent shards of awareness coursing through her.

“The bandage, Elissa,” he reminded softly.

Elissa blinked and reached for his arm. She felt him shiver and jerked her gaze to his face. “Did I hurt you?”

“Nay, please continue.”

Elissa bent to her task, fearing she would melt beneath the blistering heat of his gaze. Merely touching Damian made her forget Kimbra existed, and that Damian was an English rogue who trampled on women’s feelings. She and Damian had no future together; she refused to become mistress to a man she despised on every level…every level but one. When he made love to her, he made her feel as if he truly cared for her.

Elissa could never suffer fools, and she was the worst kind. If Kimbra carried Damian’s bairn, of course he must marry her.

Chapter Fourteen

After tying off Damian’s bandage, Elissa rose and shook out her skirts. Damian surged to his feet; his eyes were hooded, his thoughts unfathomable. Elissa distrusted this inscrutable side of Damian and retreated a step, then another. He followed, stalking her until she felt the cold wall against her back and the searing heat of his body pressing against her.

Damian’s silver eyes darkened to pewter as he grasped her waist with both hands and held her captive, the hard press of his rigid sex prodding relentlessly between her thighs. Mesmerized, she felt her gaze latch onto his mouth, hovering over hers, close, so close she could see the pulse beating at the base of his neck. Why did her breath catch in her throat and her body quiver with need? She chided herself for a witless fool even as she raised her mouth to his.

His kiss destroyed her will. Her resistance shattered and she melted into his embrace, her body seeking the pleasure she knew only he could give her. His hands sought her breasts and she moaned into his mouth, sagging against him; the pleasure of his touch made her tremble. Then he was dragging her over to the bench, his caresses growing more demanding as he eased her down upon the hard surface.

Elissa was aware of nothing but the raging need he aroused in her. She felt cool air upon her breasts, dimly aware that Damian had lowered her bodice. A sigh left her throat as he bent to her and took a nipple into his mouth. She arched against him, offering him more of herself for his thrilling caress.

“Elissa,” Damian moaned against her skin. “I need this. I need you.”

She felt his hand beneath her skirt, sliding between her legs, cupping her. Her heart slammed against her ribs. For a wild, unprincipled moment she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. Her legs fell open, inviting a more intimate touch. He eagerly obliged, whispering endearments against her mouth as his fingers explored her cleft.

“Open for me, sweeting. Kimbra is gone. No one will stop us from taking what we want.”