Just the way I like you,” she said when he was completely naked.

She is beautiful, soft hair nearly midnight in color, large eyes nearly as dark, and ivory skin like the petals of the lily, and she wore a fragrance of jasmine. But ’tis her willfulness that I enjoyed the most. And her resourcefulness.

You sure you don’t want me to come over? We could make a snowman in the garden, or one in front of the hotel for the guests’ arrival tomorrow. Or we could build snow forts and have a snowball fight. Surefire way to wear you out and make you sleepy. Then we could have cocoa with marshmallows on top. And I’ve been dying to have a piece of that seven-layer chocolate cake. I can’t quit thinking about it.

He set Lori on the bed. “You were the only wolf that chased my tail around, trying to grab hold. No other cub would dare.

She took her leave and he wondered what that discussion had really been about. He knew he could live another hundred years and still not understand the workings of a woman’s mind.

He snorted. If she was truly the one he sought, she was not safe in the least. "Mayhap we could go together."..."Nay," she said, taking Niall's arm firmly and forcing him to retire to her bed, shocking him that she was so determined and concerned. "Lie down. I will do this. You cannot go anywhere. What if you fell off your horse on the way?...""I wouldna' fall off my horse," he said. "I was born to the saddle.

Anora signed, then retook her seat. "I believe you are the most handsome man I have ever encountered."Niall raised his brows at hearing the news. "Whatever made you think to say that, Anora?""Poor Matthew, he has a weak chin and an unmanly nose. Now you, your jaw is strong and persuasive.""I thought you said I was demanding.""Commanding, you said. And you have the loveliest dark brown eyes, like a stormy dark sea.""That you have never been on.""Aye.

If you were six when you came here, and you are now...," he said, and paused as if waiting for her to fill in her age.She signed as she thought the matter over."Are you still awake, Anora?""I was counting."After much silence, Niall said, "Dinna you know how to count?""Of course I know how to count. How would I be able to keep track of my sheep if I did not know how to count?...

He leaned close to her and took a deep breath, unsettling her. "You smell of lavender. I wouldna believe a shepherdess would smell so fine.""I bathed in a tub full of lavender this morning, just for you, so it seems, as I knew you would appreciate the effort.

She was still of the opinion that if she threatened him sufficiently, he would leave. It had worked well for her before - on two separate occasions. Not that the men had been so well muscled - or half naked.Then she frowned. What if under the sheepskin covers, the man was entirely bare? That would put him at more of a disadvantage, she decided.