The water was quite cold, which was exactly what Lachlan needed at the moment. Another few laps and hopefully he'd rid himself of the hardness between his legs. The damn woman pulled at his very essence. There was no denying it. He desired Claire McLean like he'd never any other woman in his life.

His brother's betrothed. Christ and he still had to spend two additional nights with the tempting wench.

Gasping for breath, Lachlan pulled himself from the river and lay on the soft grass. The stars twinkled above, but did little to settle him. Why was he being tempted like this? Although he could never be accused of being stern, Lachlan took pride in his ability to control his passions. A warrior was good as dead if he could not keep his head focused on the present.

The lass was breathtaking, with the darkest red hair, fair skin, and those bewitching green eyes, so full of wicked promise. Like a curse she was forefront in his mind again. Lachlan reached between his legs and took himself in hand. Stroking his cock, he allowed her to fill his mind. The thought of her tempting lips surrounding made him even harder. Perhaps, it was best if he took care of the matter. He was far enough away from camp, so not to be overheard.

With careful steps, Claire inched toward the water's edge where she'd seen Lachlan go earlier. The excuse of having to relieve herself worked on Maggie who was already groggy with sleep.

The site of him fully nude, lying on the soft grass looking up at the stars, took her breath. The moonlight shone on the muscular yet lean body, definitely built for speed in battle. He was also built for war. A soft grunt escaped his lips and his hand slid down from his flat stomach to between his legs.

Fingers wrapped around his cock and he began to slide them up and down the shaft, his movements precise. Breathing hitched, the other hand began to caress his chest. Each pant sent a call to her and she inched closer, no longer caring if he knew she watched.

Sweat glistened on his brow and his hand began to move faster until a drop of moisture appeared on the tip sliding out from his fist.

Lachlan must have heard her because his face jerked to her and he squeezed his eyes shut. Groaning, he flattened his cock against the smooth stomach.

Claire went to him and laid her palm his chest. The skin trembled under her fingers.

Lachlan's jaw visibly clenched. "If you don't leave now, we'll both regret it."

"I don't wish to go." She slid her hand down his chest, fingers tracing a lazy pattern down to his fluttering stomach to cover his hand. "You desire me, don't you?"

"Aye." He gritted out the words and arched to her touch.

"I yearn for you, as well."

"We are damned then." Heated eyes locked with hers and she found herself helpless to look away. "Kiss me, Claire."

Not willing to stop touching him, she skimmed her hands up his large body until cupping his face.

The light of the moon was enough to look into his eyes and in that moment she knew. They were meant to be, the reason didn't matter, the consequences even less. He was hers and she'd stop at nothing to attain and keep him.

When their lips met, he pulled her against him with a hungry urgency and held her tightly against his hard body.

Lachlan's mouth was warm, soft...hungry. His tongue pushed into her mouth and began to take more from her. Claire moaned and pressed harder into his solid form.

She yanked at her night shift and he lifted it up and over her upstretched arms. It was quickly discarded in the want to feel skin against skin. Lachlan drew Claire over him. Calloused hands glided down her back and cupped her bottom. He slid the tantalizing hardness between her legs at the same time his hot breathing brushed her neck. It was the most intoxicating mixture of sensations and Claire had to dig her fingers into his shoulders to remain grounded.

"Take me, I cannot wait," Claire begged while raking her nails down arms. "Now, please."

He reached between them and guided himself to her center. With a swift thrust he entered her and both moaned in unison. He waited for her to adjust to his size and didn't move until she relaxed. Claire took his mouth once again when he began to move. With a steady pace, Lachlan's hips lifted and fell, his length sliding within her.

Tension eased from his face, his mouth parted and eyes half closed. Drunk from watching him and by the friction of his movements, Claire kept her hands on his chest moving in conjunction with his thrusts. The stirrings in her body merged with sounds of their lovemaking taking her to heights she'd never experienced.

Lachlan rolled Claire to her back and held himself up on his elbows while continuing to drive into her. "Come with me, Claire," his words sunk through the haze that swirled over her. His finger found its way to the folds between her legs and began to rub over the most sensitive part sending delicious pulses of indescribable sensations. Claire shattered and thrashed beneath him, losing complete control.

He covered her mouth with his, taking her cry as he plunged into her fast and hard until he too trembled with his release.