His Secret Highland Bride

Chapter Twelve

Lindsay didn’t say anything else as she readied for bed. She worried if she spoke at all she might not be able to stop herself from telling him everything. She wasn’t a convincing liar, and she didn’t think she’d convinced Shane.

She lay there in the darkness, trying to hold in the truth. Rather than think on what might happen after harvest when her father arrived, she focused on how it had felt to kiss Shane. It was truly the most enjoyable thing she’d ever done. But she would do her best to avoid those heated glances that had them reaching for each other.

She knew she wasn’t alone in wanting. Shane had been equally as eager as she to continue. But she also knew her husband was healing from a great loss. She’d thought herself brave in leaving her home with only a maid and a few outriders. How many young women preferred to stay behind the safety of their castle walls?

She’d learned soon enough that her adventure was not as exciting as she’d planned. That the world was filled with danger. But this man made her glad she’d taken the risk. She couldn’t go back behind the wall now.

When her father came and demanded she marry the laird, she’d need to change his mind. Even if her da hated her, she’d fight to keep Shane. To stay with him, so they would have enough time to be the couple she believed they could be. Have the love she knew was brewing in them.

The very thought of standing up to her father made her stomach twist into knots.

She knew well enough how one stern look from him would send her to tears. She’d earned his ire last summer when she didn’t marry the Fletcher heir. That had been the silly fears of a girl, while this was so much more. But to her father it would seem the same. His rebellious daughter causing him disgrace yet again.

Unable to sleep when her mind refused to settle, she tossed off the coverlet and sat up.

When he sat up as well, she jumped. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“Nay,” he said sadly as he went to the fire to light a rush. With two candles burning, he turned to her. “Do you ever feel you think too much about something? And that it would be best just to stop thinking altogether?”

For a moment, she wondered if he knew what she’d been worrying over, but of course he couldn’t. She considered his words and thought he must be referring to the time he’d asked for. How he’d told her he wasn’t ready.

“Do you wish to stop thinking about whether you’re ready for more with me?” she asked. When the only answer was a low groan, she spoke again. She didn’t want to push him into something he might regret, but she also didn’t want to lose her only chance to be with him because they waited too long.

“I’m not sure of everything that happens between a husband and wife further than kissing, but I would like to know that pleasure with you. I think whether you’re ready or not, you want it as well.” There. She’d not minced words. She’d stated what she wanted clearly, and if he turned her away because he needed more time, she would find a way to respect that.

“I lie here next to you and think about what is right and wrong, but I find no answers. And all the thinking doesn’t stop me from wanting you.”

He wanted her. Taking her hand, he drew her fingers to his lips, where he placed a soft kiss upon them. For all her courage just moments ago, she shook with nervous excitement. With the lightest of touches, he traced his fingertips along her cheek, across the edge of her bottom lip, over her chin, down her throat to her collarbone, then lower to circle the nipple that was peaked through her thin night rail. She drew in a shaky breath and looked up at him again. They shared a small smile, and she relaxed.

There was nothing to be afraid of. Whatever happened next, it would be amazing because it was with Shane. Her husband.

He leaned down slowly as if he was afraid to startle her, but now that they had confessed their desire for each other, she didn’t want to wait or go slow. Instead, she leaned up to meet his lips.

With a groan of happiness, she opened her mouth to allow his tongue to delve inside as she explored with her own. It wasn’t a sweet peck on the lips. He pulled her close, her chest pressing against his, and wrapped his arms around her. His hands rested below the small of her back and drifted lower.

Rubbing her hands over his chest, she eased her arms to his shoulder so her fingers could play in his long locks. She loved the way his lips trailed over her neck and decided to do the same to him, touching his skin with her tongue and even her teeth. When she caused him to gasp, she embraced her power. This wasn’t just about him seducing her. She’d tempted him until he could no longer resist.

He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. She stepped back to look at him, noticing the sculpted lines of his chest and stomach. His nipples, though smaller than her own, had responded similarly into tight nubs. Wondering if they might be as sensitive as her own were, she reached out and caressed one with the tip of her finger. He sucked in a quick breath and kissed her again.

Her shift was thin, but at the moment it felt like the fabric was keeping them too far apart. She needed to take it off, but her hands and arms got tangled in the sleeves. Stepping back, Shane helped free her from the gown, and then he just stood there holding it in one hand as he stared, his gaze traveling from her toes up her body to stop when he was looking into her eyes.

The green in his gaze burned brighter than she’d ever seen. She took her turn to look him over. She’d seen his chest, but this was the first time she got a good look at the part of him that had been nudging her in the stomach. She must’ve looked distraught, for he chuckled.

“What is that look?” he asked. “You don’t seem impressed.”

She felt her cheeks flame with heat. They were standing before each other, naked; she didn’t know why she would be embarrassed now. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I thought it would seem threatening, but it’s not.” She shook her head and closed her eyes. “Forgive me. I’m being ridiculous.”

He smiled and rested his hands on her bare hips, his touch sending a different kind of warmth through her body. “You’re not ridiculous. I’m glad you didn’t feel the need to run from the cottage screaming because you were terrified.”

He was smiling when he kissed her, and her own lips were still pulled up in a grin, making the kiss more exciting with the intimacy of the moment. She wouldn’t have thought laughter or smiles would have played a part in such a serious situation, but it went a long way to making her feel more at ease. But the kiss didn’t stay light and fun—it transformed into a heated fusion between them. This time, when he pulled her against him, her nipples grazed his bare skin, and she trembled with excitement.

His hands gripped her arse and pulled her closer still. The rigid member throbbed between them. And she felt some part of her, low in her stomach, flutter as if in answer. He leaned on the bed and pulled her down with him, and she was relieved she no longer had to worry about how she would remain standing. It was an easy thing to run her legs over his as he kissed her neck, her collarbone, and finally her breast.

She didn’t feel like she could get enough air into her lungs when his tongue traced around her nipple a moment before his lips surrounded it and he sucked her deeper into his mouth. She may have said something or made some noise of appreciation, but she couldn’t be sure, for her blood was rushing through her body and all she could hear was her heartbeat.

She squirmed and moved, unable to stop herself. She didn’t know what to ask of him, but fortunately she didn’t need to. He kissed lower, to her stomach, and then lower still, his lips following his touch. When his fingers moved between her legs, she was surprised to realize she had grown wet in the area she was most in need. As if hearing her thoughts, he rubbed his fingers in the very place she ached. Each caress both soothed and ignited her desire for more.

That was the word she repeated unknowingly. More.

His fingers slipped inside of her, first one and then another when she cried again for more. But still, it wasn’t enough. Then he kissed her in the place where his fingers explored, and she jerked up nearly into a sitting position only to sag back down to the mattress as he continued flicking and rubbing his tongue over her most sensitive places.

She tossed her head restlessly for a few more moments before she felt herself settling into a rhythm that matched his. Anticipating each touch, she was able to expect it, and the growing desire continued to build until she could no longer contain it. She wanted to ask him what was happening to her, but she was beyond words. And as she drifted over the edge, everything fell silent, and she was lost.

…

Shane smiled smugly as Lindsay succumbed to her pleasure at his touch. She was beyond beautiful with the flush on her cheeks, the moisture on her lips from his kiss, and the sheer bliss on her face as she throbbed with her climax around his fingers. He wanted to be inside her, but he waited until she returned to him, her eyelids fluttering open.

“I had no idea I could feel so…” Her words trailed off on a contented sigh as she blinked again and smiled. “That was what I had been aching for. But I didn’t know.”

He watched as her brows creased into confusion. She looked down at his body where he was still hard and aching for her and shook her head.

“I don’t understand. I thought what was to happen was to be with…” Rather than say the word “cock,” she merely nodded toward it, which made him smile.

“Yes. That is how it is done. What you experienced was the prelude.”

Her eyes went wide. “There’s more? More than what I have already experienced?”

“More of the same. Only better.”

“Better?” She shook her head. “I’m not sure how anything could be better than that.” She tilted her head. “Though I’d certainly be willing to try.”

She reached for him, and he went willingly into her arms, placing kisses everywhere his lips touched her skin and making her giggle in certain areas. When he was poised at her warm entrance, he kissed her slower, more tenderly.

“This first time might cause a bit of pain. I’m sorry for it. I can only promise to be quick about it and then make it up to you.”

She nodded and squeezed his shoulders as if she was bracing herself for attack. He hoped it wouldn’t be as bad as that. He was eager to push his way into her body but just as unwilling to hurt this trusting lass who had given him patience and understanding when he needed it most. He kissed her slowly until her breathing came as quick as his own and she was as aroused as she had been earlier.

She made a soft sound of encouragement, and her legs tightened around his hips, pulling him in. He didn’t need any more of a welcome than that. He pressed forward and held when she gasped and hissed in a breath. He fought his body’s impulse to move until she relaxed and met his eyes, silently telling him she was well enough to continue. She even graced him with her beautiful smile when he moved out and back in.

“Has the pain gone?” When she nodded, it was as if she’d given him permission to let loose his reins. He clasped her closer as he moved in and out of her body, claiming her as his own, until he thrust into her one last time and gave in to his release.

He collapsed next to her, waiting for the guilt, the sense of wrongness he’d expected to feel when he finally took this step with Lindsay. But it didn’t come. She’d wanted them to feel good, and he had. It was clear from the smile on her face that she had as well.

He hadn’t allowed himself to think of his times with Maria. Hadn’t allowed memories of her when he was with Lindsay. They were so different, there was nothing to compare. And he wouldn’t do either of them the disservice of attempting to.

He’d loved Maria dearly, but it was time for him to move on. He’d never forget her, but now he realized he didn’t have to forget Maria to have a future with Lindsay.

He hoped that would always be the case.