He waited for her to deny her interest, for her pride’s sake, but she looked thoughtful. "The moment you opened your mouth, I’d bristle up. None of my father’s other students had that effect. In fact, I have trouble remembering most of their names. From the beginning, you took up more than your fair share of my attention."
"I spent a lot of time thinking about you, too." In ways that would shock her if she knew.
She subjected him to a comprehensive survey from the top of his head to his toes. Heat sizzled wherever her eyes focused. "Partly because you’re so spectacular to look at. When you arrived at the house, I thought you looked like a handsome prince in a fairy story."
As hot color flooded his face, he shifted uncomfortably. Odd how Emily’s compliments overset him." Oh, go on with you."
"Hamish, you’re blushing," she said in delight.
"Yes, well…"
"I still think you’re handsome. None of my father’s other students would look nearly as good in a sheet." She paused. "Or out of it."
Ridiculous to feel his cheeks get even hotter. It wasn’t as if she was the only girl to see him naked. "That night, I feared you’d run screaming from the room."
To his astonishment, sensual nostalgia tinged her smile. His blood churned with excitement, although she’d made it clear there would be no consummation tonight. However, now he dared to hope. If he played his cards right, there was a good chance a consummation loomed in his future.
Her sideways glance sent his pulses rocketing. "Actually I was curious."
"Were you indeed, you shameless hussy?"
"My father trained me in scientific method."
"So I was a specimen."
Her lips quirked. "An impressive one. You’re magnificent with your clothes on, but that’s nothing compared to how you look undressed."
He was blushing again. "You’re playing a dangerous game, sweetheart."
She looked startled. "You’ve never called me that before."
"Do you mind?"
Another thoughtful frown. "You know, I rather like it."
He took a risk, although to an outsider it would seem the most natural of actions. He extended one hand. When she hesitated, his fragile hopes dimmed.
Then she leaned forward in her chair and curled her fingers around his. His heart lurched into a drunken dance. Fergus and Diarmid had told him a wife was different from every other woman in a man’s life. They were right. Emily was holding his hand, for God’s sake, and he couldn’t be more stirred up if London’s most expensive courtesan gave him the wink.
He wondered just when Emily had stopped being the thorn in his side and become the one woman in the world he could imagine sharing his life. The change had happened before he left for Scotland. She’d already made her mark on his soul before he traveled north, stricken with grief after Sir John’s death and the failure of his marriage.
She squeezed his hand and smiled, although uncertainty still shadowed her eyes. "In the meantime, I’m not against a few experiments."
Hamish told his idiot heart to settle down. He didn’t yet know what she was offering. "Oh?"
"I’ve never been kissed." She bit her lip, then spoke in a rush. "I’d like it very much if you kissed me, Hamish."
Chapter 20
Emily stared into Hamish’s face, desperate to read his reaction to her confession – and her request. She pulled her hand free, then was sorry she did. She liked the warm strength of his grasp. After months of feeling abominably alone, his touch soothed her loneliness.
"Have I shocked you?" The question was unsteady.
"You’ve made me lose what little respect I ever had for the Sassenach male. How does a pretty girl like you reach the advanced age of twenty-five without men fighting to kiss her?"
Heat flooded her cheeks. And other parts of her. She shifted on her chair. "You’re flirting with me."
"I am indeed. But that doesn’t stop me from being appalled."