"Let us play hazard. What say you?" Lachlan asked when they stepped out of the tub. Droplets of water glistened on the finely wrought muscles of his shoulders and chest. He slowly dragged the piece of linen material over her wet body, sending delicious sensations along her skin.

"I do not know how. My mother would never allow me to play such gambling games." Shivering from the cool air, she picked up the clean smock from the foot of the bed.

He snatched the garment from her and flung it away. "Well then, I shall corrupt you." He winked. "Into bed with you now."

"That was clean!"

"You have no need of it."

She huffed but climbed into bed. Now what was he up to? She did not wish to lounge about naked for hours. Surely that was an activity more suited to a paramour than a wife. Then, she wondered if she could be both to him. What a daft yet exciting notion.

After he dried himself, Lachlan dug something from his sporran and followed her into bed, leaning back against the pillows and allowing the sheet to rest at his waist. His naked presence beside her in bed gave her more intense carnal thoughts and urges. His hard, hair-roughened thigh grazed her own, making her recall the erotic sensations of his legs sliding between hers. The grouping of three glowing candles on the bedside table revealed a few remaining drops of water sparkling on his chest. She entertained the mad idea of licking them off and brushing her lips over his chest, kissing every inch.

He jiggled something in his hand that clacked together. "Never played hazard?"

"No."

"'Tis easy. Whoever loses each toss of the dice must kiss the other person wherever they say. And we'll take turns."

"What do you mean…kiss…on any body part?" Had he read her mind?

"Aye."

"Ma foi! You are wicked."

His gaze turned sensual in the extreme. "And you like that about me."

Indeed she did, but she refused to let him know that. She hoped he didn't see her fiery blush. "You have played this before."

"Not for these stakes. Usually I only gamble for money, or weapons. Now, here are the rules. Choose a main—a number between five and nine, then roll the dice. If the number you chose comes up, you win. If not, different rules apply to each number. Ladies first." He dropped the dice into her hands.

"How will I know you are telling the truth about the rules?"

"You think I would lie? Whether you win or lose, I will enjoy the consequence."

She hid a mischievous smile and jiggled the dice much like he did. "The number I choose is seven." She rolled the dice and the number displayed was eleven. "Parbleu."

"You've won," he said.

"What? You're making that up. You said if I roll the number I chose, I win."

"Why would I cheat to allow you to win? 'Tis part of the rules. Ask Rebbie or Dirk if you don't believe me…later. Not now. Where would you like your kiss?"

Heavens! The man was truly daft, but the idea of a kiss from him did tempt her. "You may kiss my neck."

"Neck? Is that all?"

"Oui. What is wrong with that?"

"Naught. But I thought you would be more unruly…perhaps a bit risqué." He leaned toward her. She tilted her head back and he pressed his lips to her neck. He nibbled, tickling, giving her chills, and she rolled away laughing.

He grinned. "My turn. Eight." He rolled the dice. "Five."

"You lose."

"Nay. I get to roll again."

"You are making this up, I vow!" she said.

"I have played this game since I was nine years of age. I ken the rules." He rolled the dice again and an eight came up. "Blast!"

"You have won. This is the number you first said."

"Aye, but if the main shows up on the chance, 'tis an out. You've won again."

She smiled and pointed to her shoulder. He gave her a seductive look and leisurely kissed her shoulder, stroked his tongue against it, then sucked at her flesh.

Shivering, she drew away lest he seduce her yet again, and so easily. Her nipples ached and yearned for his lips. The moisture between her legs tingled and itched.

His eyes gleaming with devilish seduction, he dropped the dice into her hand.

"Five." She tossed them.

He grinned at the three. "You lose."

"Can I not roll again?"

"Nay. Three is always an out."

"I intend to check with someone about these rules you are creating."

He nodded. "You should. But now I want my kiss." He pointed to his mouth.

She leaned toward him and placed a quick peck on his lips.

"Too fast. That didn't count."

"Oui, it did."

"Each kiss must last at least to the count of five."

"More rules you are making up?"

"Coward," he murmured, a taunting look in his eye.

Relenting, she leaned forward to give him a longer kiss. She must prove her bravery, after all. His firm, smooth lips moved against her own. She drew his heated breath within her and desire flared. Wishing to consume him utterly, she flicked her tongue between his lips.

"Mmm." The little moan came from him but he remained immobile while his darkened, heavy-lidded gaze penetrated her. She forced herself to draw away. Mère de Dieu, she was too susceptible to him.

"Much better," he purred.

She lost the next round by tossing a two. He pointed to his chest and she kissed him there, taking a bit more time and brushing her lips over his hard muscles and sprinkling of hair as she'd imagined earlier. His male nipple was an erotic little sight. When she touched it with her tongue, breath hissed between his teeth.

Next, he chose seven as his main and rolled it. Grinning, he pointed to a spot just below his navel. The sheet still covered his erection.

Heavens, he could not be serious. "You are a beast," she said in French.

"Aye." When he lay back on the pillows, she leaned over him and kissed the muscle-hardened spot he'd indicated. That narrow line of hair on his flat lower belly tickled her lips and mesmerized her. She brushed her lips back and forth, then pressed her nose to him. His clean male scent tempted her, as did the thought of kissing him all night…and all over.

"Mmm." He handed her the dice when she sat back. "You best not lose this one, m'lady, or the penalty will be stiff."

Stiff? Her cheeks burned. "I know what you are thinking."

He lifted a brow. "Do you now?"

"Six." She nodded and rolled the dice.

When an eleven displayed, he hissed, then grinned. "Out."

"Sacrebleu!"

He chuckled and lay back on the pillow again, stacking his hands behind his head. "If you know what I was thinking, kiss me there. If you're right, I'll give you three turns. If you're wrong, I'll bite you on the arse, and it will hurt."

A laugh burst from her mouth before she could stop it. "How ridiculous. You are a lunatic."

"Aye, but you ken I'm good at gaming. I'll even write my answer down if you bring me that quill and paper."

"I'll not walk over there naked." She was covered from collarbone down in the sheet and wished to stay that way.

"I will then." He rose, his erection bobbing, and crossed the room. Goodness, he had not one speck of modesty.

Observing his broad shoulders and bulging muscles everywhere, she sighed before she could stop herself. She had never dreamed she would enjoy staring at a naked man.