His Captive Read Online Free Page B

Scot’s grip tightened on her hand.
    At his warning glare, several men nearby turned away. “Stay beside me,” her captor hissed in her ear.
    As if she dared do otherwise? Icy prickles of fear stabbed Nichola as she kept tight behind the Scot while he wove through the dangerous men. For the first time since her abduction, she found herself thankful for his presence.
    Once they’d reached the opposite side of the room, he led her toward a table in a darkened corner where a bald-headed man lurked. As they neared, the man’s beady eyes skewered her with such carnal intent her skin crawled.
    The baron’s sister hesitated, and Alexander gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, but he didn’t slow.
    Her eyes widened with surprise at his reassurance.
    Alexander leaned close to her. “It will be fine, lass.” He saw the doubts in her eyes and regretted having to bring a lady inside this squalid tavern, but he was exhausted and little choice remained. Out in the wilds, anyone might come upon them while they slept. At least here he could keep an eye on her without worry of her escape.
    Smothering a yawn, Alexander stopped before the tavern owner. “We will be needing a room.” He disliked Hammet’s overt interest in his hostage, but Alexander had dealt with the tavern owner enough times to know that for the right price, he would see nothing.
    From her simple gown and low-cut neckline, Hammet would believe Lord Monceaux’s sister was Alexander’s mistress; the reason he’d chosen to steal the revealing dress. But earlier, when she’d walked from the bushes with her breasts half-exposed, he’d found himself wishing the story was real.
    Alexander grimaced. More than three months had passed since he’d bedded a lass, which explained the lust invoked by thoughts of her naked. Once home and free of her, he’d find a woman to ease his need.
    Greed danced in Hammet’s beady eyes. “I have a room, but it will cost you.”
    “A fair price,” Alexander demanded.
    The tavern owner’s mouth thinned. His lewd gaze skimmed over the for-once quiet woman at Alexander’s side, then named a steep sum.
    Alexander withdrew twice the amount and tossed it to the man.
    Hammet snatched the coins from the air and dropped them inside a scarred leather pouch. “Last room at the top of the stairs.”
    “If anyone is asking”—Alexander paused in an unspoken threat—“you have not seen me nor the woman. A man who loses his mistress tends to be ill-willed.”
    A sly smile slinked across Hammet’s face. He licked his lips. “‘It is understandable why you took such a risk.”
    Lord Monceaux’s sister inhaled a sharp intake of breath. Humiliation stormed his captive’s face. “Why you—”
    Blast it, she was going to give him away. Alexander jerked her close and covered her mouth with his own. The fire that ignited between them almost dropped him to his knees. He’d only meant a stifling kiss, but her taste blazed through him; hot, tempting, and searing his every inch. He fisted her hair with his hand and tilted her head back for greater access.
    She stiffened against him in outrage.
    Alexander took the kiss deeper, needing her compliance. If the men filling the room learned she wasn’t his, they would fight to take her.
    At last her body shivered, then she relaxed against him. Her tiny moan of acceptance stole his breath, but her response left him breathless. He took his time now; savoring her taste, the softness of her skin, capturing her every gasp. Needing more, he cupped the nape of her neck to draw her closer.
    Ribald laughter and lewd cheers filled the chamber.
    Stunned that he’d lost himself in the kiss, Alexander lifted his head. His heart pounding and his breath coming fast, he stared down at his captive; far from appeased to find her gray eyes as wide and as startled as his likely were.
    “Aye, the lass keeps a man hard and pleases him well,” Alexander growled out as he reined in his lust. He was not a green lad who