Chapter 44
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
Marian swallowed.
Lachlan’s hand slid carefully along her back as though he were afraid she might disappear if he held her too closely. Her body tingled in places that had previously hurt, and she felt herself slowly let go, forgetting all about the day she’d had.
She released a soft breath. Their lips danced against one another, and she breathed, allowing his tongue to stroke hers.
It was different from anything they’d ever shared.
Marian closed her eyes, opening her heart to him as he professed his love to her with his tongue. She felt every bit of it—his passion for her and her quiet desire for his touch, blending in one large symphony.
Her thighs pressed together as she writhed underneath him, wetness pooling in her sex as heat coiled low in her belly.
Lachlan suddenly broke the kiss, moving back until he was standing in front of her.
“Mairi,” he whispered the name she had come to love, holding out a hand.
Marian blinked. Her fingers trembled slightly as she placed her hand in his, and she rose to her feet, finally standing in front of him. His eyes fell to her dress, lingering on the shoulder where the flimsy material barely held together.
He moved closer to her, reaching around her to unfasten the dress from behind, pulling off the one good shoulder until the fabric slipped to her waist.
Her breath hitched. She closed her eyes, conscious of the appearance of her bruised skin as she stood in only her undergarments, half-bare from the waist up.
Lachlan placed a kiss on her clavicle, breathing against it. She flinched despite herself, the soreness still fresh beneath her skin.
“Open yer eyes,” he whispered, the ordinary words sending a shiver down her spine.
Her nerves sizzled in excitement as he trailed kisses up her neck, and when he stepped back, her eyes slowly fluttered open. His were the most fiery set of brown eyes she’d ever looked into.
“Ye are the most beautiful woman,” he said, his voice a low murmur. “I want to see ye as ye are.”
Marian’s cheeks warmed. She knew what he was asking of her.
Her breathing quickened at the mere thought, and her heart thrummed at the realization that she wanted it to.
She trusted him, so she pushed the rest of her dress off her waist, allowing the heavy material to slide down into a pile at her feet.
Lachlan moved closer to her and then carefully lifted her into his arms, avoiding the sore area on her ribs. She let out a small gasp of surprise, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He smiled as he carried her to the center of the bed. “Makin’ sure ye’re comfortable.”
He lay her down gently, his chest heaving as he settled beside her. He propped himself up on one elbow and looked down at her heatedly.
Marian did not realize that she’d been holding her breath until he kissed her sternum through her shift.
“Lachlan…” she whispered, and he leaned closer, his fingers brushing her hair from her face.
“Ye are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Marian,” he murmured, planting a kiss next to the wound on her temple.
Marian sighed softly.
Lachlan planted more kisses all over her body, and she moaned, her body slowly melting into the fur. She stiffened as his hand came to rest on her breast, but only for a moment before he began to fondle it.
The sensation was unlike any she’d ever felt.
Lachlan kissed her through the thin fabric of her shift, before taking a nipple between his teeth while he pinched the other. He nipped it lightly, and she nearly screamed, her hips bucking.
Lachlan pulled back then, watching with dark eyes as her chest rose and fell heavily. “Tell me what ye want, Marian.” His voice was tight with restraint.
Marian knew what she wanted. She wanted this as much as he did, probably even more. She wanted so badly to release the ache within her and replace it with pleasure.
With love.
Her lips trembled as she watched him undo his tunic. Her heart pounded so hard, she nearly felt it in her back.
Lachlan pulled the tunic off his shoulders and flung it somewhere across the room. Her eyes followed every inch of muscle that flexed in his chest as he leaned back toward her, and her lower lip caught between her teeth.
He groaned, the sound sending a low vibration through her as he kissed her hip. He kissed his way back up to her lips, claiming her once again with an all-consuming kiss.
She gasped as she tried to keep up with him, and he paused, breathing deeply as his forehead pressed softly against hers.
Marian moved her hand slowly around his back, feeling his skin quiver beneath her fingertips. Her hand trailed lower, tentatively at first, until she reached the waistband of his trews.
She felt him stiffen under her touch, and she moved her hand away slightly. But his large, rough palm wrapped around it, gently squeezing her fingers.
He leaned back, guiding her hand slowly downward until it came to rest on his rock-hard member.
Marian swallowed. Her eyes widened as he held her hand there for a moment longer, but she did not pull away. Instead, she stilled, feeling the light throb under her touch.
Eventually, he let go of her hand, allowing it to fall to her side.
Marian’s eyes stayed glued on the bulge in his trews, her curiosity piqued. His lips curled into a small smile, as though he knew what he was doing to her. As though he enjoyed it.
Marian sighed softly. Her body ached for his touch like it was fuel she could not live without. Her chest heaved harder when he narrowed his eyes at her, biting his lower lip lightly.
“Tell me, Mairi,” he murmured. “Do ye want me?”
She froze at the implication of his words, only managing a blink.
“Do ye want me, Marian?” he asked her again.
She nodded slightly, her throat bobbing.
It was almost as though that simple movement unleashed a beast that had been caged within him for years.
Lachlan wrapped his hands around her legs and lifted them until he was nestled between them. He lowered his head between her thighs, kissing her slick nether lips just as he had done against the wall of her bedchamber. His tongue slid into her, going as deeply as it possibly could.
Marian ground her hips against his face as he lapped up every drop of her nectar, as though he were some thirsty lion. His hands came up to squeeze her breasts as he continued to feast on her. Her restraint snapped at once, her moans growing louder as she drew closer and closer to the edge.
He stopped suddenly.
Her eyes flew open at the loss of contact, searching his face. Her heart flipped at the dark look in his eyes.
“Lachlan…” Even his name came out as a moan. “Please,” she whispered, her sex throbbing.
She pressed her hand against his chest, and he moved closer, coming up until his face hovered over hers. He leaned in to kiss her, resting his weight on his elbows beside her head. His lips tasted sweet and tangy—of her.
She kissed him harder, even as his hard member pressed against her entrance.
She did not understand it. It startled her how her body responded. How his warmth had quickly replaced the cold that had clung to her for hours.
Her hips moved of their own accord, grinding against his hot, throbbing member.
Her body ached for more.
She ached for more.
“Lachlan,” she moaned again, quieter this time. “Please.”
He groaned against her in response, the vibrations sending shivers through her.
She held his hips, pulling him deeper into herself.
Lachlan paused. He cupped her face, looking into her eyes as he whispered, “Are ye sure?”
Marian nodded. “Yes,” she breathed. “I want you, Lachlan. All of you.”
He released a breath that she felt in her bones.
He pushed himself up from the bed, then unfastened his trews and undergarments until he was completely naked before her. He stood there for a moment, allowing her to take it all in. Allowing her the chance to back out if she so wished.
But Marian swallowed, nodding instead as her eyes lingered on his manhood in all its glory.
He climbed back into bed and lowered himself over her, looking into her eyes intently.
“Are ye sure, Marian?” he asked her again.
She wrapped her arms around him. “Yes.” Her voice was steadier now. “I have never been more certain about a thing in my life.”
Lachlan exhaled. He kissed her on the forehead, then pressed his member against her entrance, all while holding her gaze.
“It might hurt,” he murmured.
Marian nodded, her body going slightly stiff as she felt a slight twinge of pain.
“’Tis better if ye relax,” Lachlan said quietly, cupping her breast in his hand and pinching her nipple.
Her body softened under his touch, and he slid a few more inches into her.
Marian quivered. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head as he finally pushed all the way in, and she felt her walls spasm around his hard, thick member.
Lachlan began to move inside her, slowly at first. Their bodies became one as they danced a new, slow dance in the sheets.
Marian barely noticed the ache in her ribs now as she met his thrusts, her focus narrowing to the warmth of him and the steadiness of his presence. Her eyes fluttered open slightly and locked onto his as they moved together.
His thrusts grew deeper. Faster. His hands held her gently as he pounded into her hard, and she felt her walls spasm around his length again.
Lachlan shook slightly as he held her, pumping into her until the last bit of his restraint snapped. A low groan escaped his lips as he threw his head back, and Marian cried out as climax crashed over her once more.
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
Lachlan’s weight settled more fully against her, and she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
This—he—felt so right.
Finally, Lachlan shifted, carefully easing himself out of her and rolling onto his side.
Marian let out a soft sound of protest. He gave her a real, genuine smile that softened every hard edge of his face and pulled her against his chest.
“Are ye all right?” he asked quietly, his hand stroking her hair.
She nodded against him, unable to find the words yet.
Her cheeks flushed when his thumb brushed over her lower lip. Her body felt heavy, warm in a way that had nothing to do with the fire crackling in the hearth.
She felt him press a kiss to her forehead and pull the furs up around them both.
“Rest now, lass,” he murmured. “I’ve got ye.”