His gaze held teasing and exasperation. "Sure, and here I am talking to the woman who got mugged last night, then falls into a hole the next day."

She searched those deep, enticing eyes, so sexy and exciting even when they held an uncanny light. A deep ache centered in her gut that had nothing to do with irritation and everything to do with arousal.

She almost moved out from under his arm. "Thanks for your vote of confidence."

He drew her nearer until the heat of his body touched all along her side and he turned her slightly toward him. "You're a wee, bonnie thing, as Lachlan would say. A beautiful woman and a strong one. I'm not saying you can't take care of yourself. But remember what I've told you already about how dangerous it is in this town." His insistent words sounded rough with sincerity and the husky liquid of his accent. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

When she saw the truth in his eyes, heard the deep conviction in his voice, she felt like melting into his arms. She'd never wanted a man's protection before she met Ronan.

Even the odd things about him she didn't understand didn't stop her heart from racing or her body from responding.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"My pleasure, my lady." Warm and low, his voice simmered with promises too exciting to ignore.

She smiled slightly. "I should be wary of you."

He tilted her chin up with his fingers. "Most definitely."

As his mouth closed over hers, she expected a sweet little peck of affection. Instead she got more. As she kissed him back, a soft moan left his throat. He slanted his mouth over hers and tasted, his kiss somewhere between cautious and lusty. Dazed by the tenderness, she ached to sample more of the mint freshness of his breath. With startling rapidity her nipples peaked, aching to be touched. Warmth filled her stomach and between her thighs.

No man had turned her on as quickly or fully in a matter of seconds.

Ronan broke the kiss, his breathing coming harder. Looking into his eyes, she saw the same staggering need she'd witnessed when he'd kissed her in the catacombs beneath the crypt. Not only did his eyes simmer with a sun-filled yellow, his expression was ravenous.

"You try my patience," he said huskily.

She smiled, warmed through and through by his adoration and the affection that mixed with his hunger. "I think we've gone over this territory before."

One corner of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile but didn't dare. "You're difficult to resist."

He tore his gaze away and started walking with her to the front door.

When he rubbed his hand over her shoulder in a soothing fashion, her stomach tumbled in excitement. Attempting to kick-start her brain after his embrace took all her effort.

"Did you drive here?" she asked.

"I'm staying here for the time being as Erin and Lachlan's guest. So is my friend Sorley."

"Sorley?"

"Aye. You'll meet him as soon as he arrives tonight, which could be any time he sees fit." A wry smile curved his mouth. "Jared Thornton and MickyGunn are also here."

They'd taken a few more steps toward the front door when he asked, "Are you all right?"

"Of course. Why shouldn't I be?"

He made a doubtful sound. "You fell through a crypt floor today."

Deciding she could be as enigmatic as he was, she responded. "I know. Nasty experience I don't plan on repeating."

Ronan knocked on the door and it swung open to reveal Erin and Lachlan.

While Lachlan couldn't be more than six feet tall, Erin was petite enough to look small standing next to him. Her black hair was cut short below her ears, a pixie that seemed to barely tame her windblown style. His blue-black, wavy strands fell just over his collar.

Lachlan's voice held a husky, Scottish accent, distinct from Ronan's Irish tones but equally intriguing.

Clarissa couldn't help comparing Lachlan's staggering good looks to Ronan's more mysterious handsomeness. Ronan's glittering dark eyes and short beard concealed so many things, yet that air of secrecy seemed to suit him. She couldn't remember another time she'd been in the same proximity of two more gorgeous men at one time.

Amusement at her train of thought almost made her smile.All this delectable male flesh is enough to distract a woman big time.

Ronan glanced at her quickly, one of his eyebrows hitching up as if he'd heard her thoughts again.

Damn, she'd have to be careful from now on.

Immediately the couple's kind smiles and warm expressions made her feel welcome.

Tension eased in her neck and she could relax. A flurry of introductions started and after taking their coats, Lachlan and Erin drew them into the living room.

Jared Thornton sat near to MickyGunn on a couch. Both of them smiled when Clarissa and Ronan came into the room, and their genuine words of welcome soothed Clarissa's apprehensions. After more introductions, Erin and Lachlan retreated to the kitchen to uncork wine and check on the dinner.

"I'd be happy to help," Clarissa said as she followed Ronan into the kitchen.

Erin waved a dismissive hand and smiled. "The chicken has been cooking all day. The veggies are keeping warm in the microwave, and Lachlan's already uncorked the wine." Erin shooed Lachlan and Ronan out of the kitchen just as Micky walked in. "Unless you big lugs are going to help, there are too many people in the kitchen."

"Hear that?" Jared asked from the living room, his voice teasing and good-natured.

"Why don't you guys come out here and have brandy and cigars with me."

Ronan and Lachlan looked at each other, then laughed.

"No cigars in this house," Lachlan said.

"But we do have brandy, right?" Ronan asked with a hopeful tone. "For later, that is?"

"You got it." Lachlan sauntered out of the kitchen, his attempt at countrified accent deplorable. "I guess the womenfolk ain't got no need for us, boys."

Clarissa groaned while Erin smiled.

Ronan winked at Clarissa. Then almost as an afterthought, he slipped his fingers into the hair at the back of her neck and leaned forward to press a tender kiss to her forehead. She blushed right to the roots of her hair as he left the room.

The knowing looks Erin and Micky gave her almost made her squirm. At the same time, a guilty pleasure pulsed through her at this show of affection.

"What can we do to help you get dinner ready?" Micky asked.

Erin gave them an appreciative smile. "If you ladies would like to set the table, feel free."

While anxious to start discussing what she knew with the whole group, she knew jumping into the middle of her fears wouldn't be the best thing. Better to ease her way into the topic. "Thank you for inviting me here, Erin."

"Any friend of Ronan's is a friend of ours."

Friend. An interesting word to describe her relationship with the mysterious man. Could she be called his friend? Some of the feelings he generated inside her had more to do with lust than friendship, but what else could you call their relationship?

Small talk ensued while Micky and Clarissa set the table. The dining room was beautifully furnished in a true late Victorian style without being overwrought. The burgundy tablecloth over the long dark wood table looked beautiful against the crystal wine glasses, the crystal vase centerpiece, and the pretty blue and white English ironstone.

Micky moved the large crystal vase centerpiece and put it on the sideboard. "You've had a traumatic couple of days in Pine Forest, Clarissa. It seems to happen to all of us when we get here. Welcome to Creepsville."