The Bargain Read Online Free PDF Page B

her innocent stare made him want her all the more. To rip off her clothes, toss her on the bed, and fuck her until she was too tired to stand. Make her forget Laird MacMillan and her pledge to marry him.
    Furious that the Scot had once again entered his thoughts, he deliberately pushed his braies down his legs. Slowly. It had the desired effect. Aleysia's cheeks burned and her eyes widened before she turned away, facing the window.
    "You did not bathe."
    "I saw no need," she replied, a touch too quickly. Silent minutes passed and still she did not move. He glanced at her, to find her on the tips of her toes, gazing out the window.
    "I thought it might relax you."
    "I have no need to relax."
    He fought a smile. By God, she was a proud one. What a magnificent lover she would be.
    Walking to the tub, he stepped in and sat down, relishing the feel of the warm water against his stiff muscles. Who did she look for? Her betrothed perhaps? It stood to reason the Scot would come running for his intended. Was Laird MacMillan even now plotting a way to snatch Aleysia out of his grasp—or was he even aware Aleysia was at Braemere? If she were Renaud's intended, nothing could stop him.
    He frowned and sat back against the tub's edge, imagining Aleysia without her clothing or the damned cloak that she held so tightly to her, almost like a shield. Already his sac was heavy, and grew more so at the thought of her in all her naked glory.
    Two servants entered the room, one a portly woman of sixty, and behind her a young woman about his age. The older woman poured her bucket of water in the tub, averting her eyes. He could not say the same for the younger. She stared boldly. When it was her turn to pour in her bucket of water, she smiled, her gaze skipping from his, down his chest and abdomen, to settle on his cock. She licked her lips and leaned farther as she poured, offering him a nice view of her ample bosom.
    A sound of disgust came from Aleysia's direction, and Renaud smiled inwardly. So, the fair maiden had seen the wanton looking at him. Dare he hope she was jealous?
    "My lord," the coy servant said, her greedy gaze finding his once more. "Would you like me to wash yer back for ya?"
    The older woman gasped and pulled the girl along toward the door. "Forgive her, my lord. She is shameless."
    Renaud grinned at the women. "I have someone to wash my back— else I would be delighted for you to do so. Mayhap another time?"
    "Any time, my lord," the buxom servant replied.
    Renaud glanced over at Aleysia. Arms crossed over her chest, she shook her head as she stared out the window. The door closed behind the servants and she jumped, but still she did not look at him. "Come closer," he demanded.
    Finally she looked toward him. With a loud, exaggerated sigh, she took three steps forward, the movements slow, as though her legs were made of stone.
    "Remove your cloak."
    With trembling hands she untied the cord that held the cloak together. She pushed it from her shoulders, where it landed in a puddle at her feet.
    The dark braies clung to her long, slender legs, defining their perfection. His blood quickened in his veins, flooding his groin with heat. "Remove your clothing."
    "My lord!" she said in a rush. "I—"
    "I want to see you."
    She swallowed hard and looked to the door, as though she expected to be rescued.
    There was no man or beast that would keep him from taking this woman.
    Not even Laird MacMillan.
    "I am waiting, Aleysia."
    Jaw clenched tight, she turned around, giving him a full view of her backside. He stifled a groan. If she thought to thwart his desire by showing him her back, she had been mistaken. In truth, her heart-shaped buttocks enticed him nearly as much as her front. The tight breeches hugged the soft curves of her ass and hips.
    Unconsciously, he reached for his cock, his fingers sliding around the rigid length.
    Sweat that had little to do with the warm water, beaded on his brow. As he stared, his fingers tightened,