Page 77 of The Rogue’s Redemption

“I would say you’ve emerged the victor.”

Allie swung around at the voice. Her chest heaved with exertion. Instead of the happy reunion she’d imagined, she simply stood and stared at the man she loved. A man, it turned out, she hardly knew.

“Go away.” An odd command since she currently resided in his home, but Allie said what came to mind. And what she wanted most right now was to be alone with her conflicting thoughts.

Of course, he did not listen. He sauntered toward her as casually as he had during that first training session.

“Who did you speak with?” he asked flatly.

Allie did not know where to begin. “Who? If only there was just one person here with something to say about Reid Kerr, the poor youngest brother whose life is so difficult he’s had to console himself with—let me see if I can remember—the maid Anne, and of course—”

“Put down the sword, Allie.”

She was not fooled by his voice. Though calm, Reid simmered inside. She knew the signs, had seen them before. But after the past few days, she was feeling reckless.

“Or what, Reid? Will you use your charms to seduce me as it seems you’ve done with every other woman who is not otherwise spoken for in Scotland? But wait, that hardly matters, does it? One nasty rumor that Anne was quick enough to share linked you with—”

“That is enough.”

When he took another step toward her, this time Allie did not back away. Rather, she dropped the sword and spanned the remaining distance between them. “No, I do not believe it is. I’ve learned much these past few days. Though not all unexpected, I am left to wonder at my own judgment. If it were not for Juliette, I’d likely not even be standing here right now.”

They stood toe to toe, but Allie would not be intimidated. He’d taught her how to fight, and that was exactly what she would do now.

“I should have warned you,” he said.

“Warned me? About what, precisely? That you’ve bedded more women than I could count to until I was four summers? Or that the only people with kind words for you are either related to you or are enamored with you? Or that the elders will not honor Toren’s request because they do not trust you? What is it that you would have warned me about, Reid?”

She should not have said that last thing—she knew he struggled to feel worthy of the position—but she was so angry, so hurt by what she’d learned that she could not help but lash out.

“You are angry.”

“Angry? Nay, not that. What makes you think—”

His lips covered hers before she could finish the thought. And though she wanted to push against him, continue to rail at him, she also wanted to be consumed by him. Allie pulled him closer, forcing their mouths together as his tongue plunged into her. She met the thrust with one of her own, and it was only when Allie felt the rough bark of the tree behind her that she realized they’d moved.

Reid lifted her buttocks up and wrapped her legs around him. Supported by the tree and his hands, Allie pulled his head even closer, taking as much as he gave. His groans were joined by hers, and when he pressed the evidence of his need against her, she pressed right back. He ground himself into her, and Allie kept pace. Grabbing and pulling him, she also cursed him in her head for making a confusing situation even more so.

She wanted to leave and stay in equal measure. If not for a whistle in the distance, the choice of whether or not she should marry this man may have been taken from her. Allie would not have stopped him if he’d taken her maidenhead. In fact, she’d already begun to imagine what it would feel like, making love to this man that she adored, and despised, above all others.

“Reid!”

He dropped her and turned, Allie adjusting herself and watching as his brother emerged from the wood.

“Not now, brother,” he growled as Toren moved closer.

“Now,” Toren responded. “I’ve called a meeting, and your presence is requested.”

It did not sound like a request.

Reid turned to her. “We are not done here.”

Whether he meant their intimacies or the discussion, Allie wasn’t sure. With one final glance, he followed his brother away. Her guard returned just as soon as he disappeared, leaving Allie stunned and confused.

What had just happened?

* * *

“We found them, punished them, and the repercussions will come.”