Highland Barbarian. Hannah Howell

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      KISSING THE BARBARIAN

      At the door to her bedchamber, Cecily turned to wish Sir Artan a good sleep, only to catch him staring at her in a very intense manner. “I thank ye for your escort, Sir Artan. ’Twas nay necessary, but it was most appreciated.”

      Artan looked into her lovely eyes, saw her uncertainty, and decided he needed to do one more thing before he was absolutely sure of his next step. Placing his hands on the door on either side of her, he took a step closer until their bodies almost touched. He took the sound of a slight hitch in her breathing and the widening of her eyes as a good sign. As he slowly lowered his head, he watched her face, her rapidly changing expressions telling him that she knew what he was about to do. The fact that she made no move to halt him or flee encouraged him.

      The moment Sir Artan’s lips brushed over hers, Cecily felt a warmth flood through her body with such speed and fury she felt dizzy. Sir Fergus’s lips had never felt so warm or soft, or so gentle. At first, the gentle prodding of his tongue against her lips puzzled her. Then he sucked on her bottom lip and she gasped over the flurry of feelings that raced through her. The moment her lips parted, he thrust his tongue into her mouth, and in but a heartbeat, she felt herself shudder beneath the strength of what his stroking tongue was making her feel.

      When he started to pull away, she grasped him by the front of his shirt and tried to pull him back. His soft chuckle brought her to her senses and she quickly released him. Even as she stared at him in astonishment, he opened the door to her bedchamber and gently nudged her into her room….

      Books by Hannah Howell

       THE MURRAYS

      Highland Destiny

      Highland Honor

      Highland Promise

      Highland Vow

      Highland Knight

      Highland Bride

      Highland Angel

      Highland Groom

      Highland Warrior

      Highland Conqueror

      Highland Champion

      Highland Lover

      Highland Barbarian

      Highland Savage

      Highland Wolf

      Highland Sinner

      Highland Protector

      Highland Avenger

      Highland Master

      Highland Guard

      Highland Chieftain

       THE WHERLOCKES

      If He’s Wicked

      If He’s Sinful

      If He’s Wild

      If He’s Dangerous

      If He’s Tempted

      If He’s Daring

      If He’s Noble

       VAMPIRE ROMANCE

      Highland Vampire

      The Eternal Highlander

      My Immortal Highlander

      Highland Thirst

      Nature of the Beast

      Yours for Eternity

      Highland Hunger

      Born to Bite

       STAND-ALONE NOVELS

      Only for You

      My Valiant Knight

      Unconquered

      Wild Roses

      A Taste of Fire

      A Stockingful of Joy

      Highland Hearts

      Reckless

      Conqueror’s Kiss

      Beauty and the Beast

      Highland Wedding

      Silver Flame

      Highland Fire

      Highland Captive

      My Lady Captor

      Wild Conquest

      Kentucky Bride

      Compromised Hearts

      Stolen Ecstasy

      Highland Hero

       His Bonnie Bride

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

      HANNAH HOWELL

      HIGHLAND BARBARIAN

      

ZEBRA BOOKS Kensington Publishing Corp. www.kensingtonbooks.com

      ZEBRA BOOKS are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

       850 Third Avenue

       New York, NY 10022

      Copyright © 2006 by Hannah Howell

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

      Zebra and the Z logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

      First Printing: December 2006

      ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-4265-5

       ISBN-10: 1-4201-4265-8

      eISBN-13: 978-1-420-12912-0

      eISBN-10: 1-4201-2912-0

      Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 19

      Chapter 20

      Chapter 21

      Chapter 22

      Epilogue

      About the Author

      Chapter 1

      Scotland

       Summer 1480

      “Ye dinnae look dead; though I think ye might be trying to smell like ye are.”

      Angus MacReith scowled at the young man towering over his bed. Artan Murray was big, strongly built, and handsome. His cousin had done well, he thought. Far better than all his nearer kin who had borne no children at all or left him with ones like young Malcolm. Angus scowled even more fiercely as he thought about that man—untrustworthy, greedy, and cowardly. Artan had the blood of the MacReiths in him and it showed, just as it did in his twin, Lucas. It was only then that Angus realized Artan stood there alone.

      “Where is the other one?” he asked.