Chapter 28
Consummate our marriage.
That was something the priest had said, hadn’t he?
Skye closed her eyes, losing herself in a memory. The memory of her wedding day.
One Year Ago
Skye stood opposite the man she was going to marry. Her heart pounded in her chest.
This is really happening. I’m really getting married.
“And do ye, Evander Dunn, Laird of Clan Bryden, take this woman to be yer lawfully wedded wife?”
Evander met Skye’s gaze squarely, his large, warm hands wrapped securely around hers.
“I do,” he answered evenly, without a hint of a waver in his voice.
A shiver rolled through her. She’d been experiencing more and more of those shivers lately around Evander. Their marriage was a political one; she’d made that abundantly clear. He wanted his clan to thrive, she wanted her clan to thrive, and that was that.
But she’d be lying if she said that he wasn’t an attractive man. He was, very much so, and what sort of woman could pretend to be indifferent to a man like that?
Skye became aware that her throat was dry and firmly swallowed, trying to work moisture into her mouth in time for her vows.
The priest turned to her with a smile. “And do ye, Skye Brennan of Clan MacCrimmon, take this man to be yer lawfully wedded husband?”
She let out her breath in a shaky little flutter. “I do.”
“Then I now pronounce ye man and wife.”
Applause erupted in the chapel.
If Skye glanced over her shoulder, she’d have seen the pleased, smiling face of her mother alongside her brother’s more cautious smile. Leah would be there, sitting beside Mason, of course, along with the rest of her maids.
The priest pointedly didn’t say “Now ye may kiss the bride” as he would during other weddings. Perhaps Evander had asked him not to.
As the applause died down, Evander leaned back, gently releasing her hands. He wasn’t going to kiss her, then.
Skye was conscious of a tingle of disappointment.
Well, never mind that, she told herself. Ye can kiss him later. We’ll have to consummate the marriage. To finalize it. Make sure there cannae be an annulment.
Goosebumps crawled over her body at the thought.
Later, she told herself. Later.
Present Day
Evander stood in front of her, bare-chested still. The fire played over the firm planes of his chest. Swallowing, she took a step forward, her hand outstretched.
He stood still, arms hanging by his sides, and let her fingers slide over him. His muscles twitched under her hands. She flattened her palms over expanses of warm skin, her mouth going dry.
“Ye are so beautiful,” he whispered, taking a step toward her.
She tilted her head back, looking up at him. Her vision swam.
“I dreamed of ye,” he continued, stepping closer still. His chest brushed hers. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her cheek. “I used to wake up breathless, with sweat streaming off me, as hard as a river stone.”
She let out a little giggle at that. “River stone?”
“Aye, lass. Let me show ye.”
He took her hand and gently guided it downwards, letting her palm brush against the front of his kilt. She blinked, letting out a small squeak at the weight and heat of the hardness there. He didn’t keep her hand there, but rather lifted both of her wrists, draping her arms over his shoulders.
Their lips met, a tentative, gentle kiss, all softness and warmth.
Closing her eyes, Skye let the sensation whisk her away.
His hands slid down her sides, tugging at the laces of her kirtle.
Gradually, the bodice of her dress loosened, ready to fall away.
The neckline loosened too, and he lifted his hand, tracing the line of her exposed collarbone.
“So beautiful,” he breathed.
Skye opened her eyes, looking up at him. There was heat in his eyes, a hunger that she hadn’t seen before.
No, that wasn’t true. She had seen it, but never so openly, never so intensely as she saw it now.
Stepping back, she let her outer garment fall loosely from her body, leaving her in her shift. His gaze raked over her. He would be able to see the pink of her skin through the thin material.
She briefly glanced down at herself, noting how the pink tips of her nipples were visible. Swallowing, she took his hand and lifted it tentatively to her breast.
The feel of his fingertips running over her sensitive flesh sent a spike of heat through her, pooling at the apex of her thighs. Her breath hitched in her throat when he ran the pad of his thumb over her nipple.
“Beautiful,” he repeated, then leaned in to kiss her.
This time, his lips trailed down her neck, peppering kisses across her collarbone. Gently, oh so gently, he lifted the hem of her shift, pulling the garment up and over her head.
She stood in front of him naked and was a little horrified to realize that she was shivering. As a last touch, however, she reached behind her head, tugging at the pin that kept her head tangled in a rough knot. The pin came loose, and her hair cascaded down, a warm weight over her shoulders.
For a full minute, he only stared at her, his gaze growing more heated. Skye swallowed, pressing her thighs together. The pulse between them had grown almost unbearable.
“Touch me, damn it,” she whispered.
He lunged at her, snatching her up off her feet and into his arms. The world briefly spun around her, and she found herself bouncing on the bed, out of breath.
Evander wasted no time, untying the belt at his waist and tossing it away. The kilt followed shortly after. She propped herself up on her elbows, admiring the hard V of his hips, firm lines of muscle leading to his groin.
There was barely time to breathe before he was on her, over her, pushing her none too gently back into the mattress and pinning her wrists above her head.
He kissed her on the lips, cheeks, the tip of her nose, and then downwards, between her breasts.
He paused to run his tongue over each nipple, sending a spike of pleasure through her that made her gasp loudly.
He slid further down, pressing his rough cheek against her belly and glancing up at her, flashing her a smile full of mischief. Then lower, running his fingers over her mound and sliding beneath.
Skye cried out, arching her back and pushing her hips against him. She could hear the slick sounds of his fingers sliding into her, hot and thrilling. He slid his tongue against her, almost absently, and then pulled back.
She blinked, lifting her head. “Ye stopped.”
“Aye,” he murmured, leaning down until they were almost nose to nose. “We arenae finished.”
Her blood tingled in her veins. “Oh,” she breathed.
He took himself in hand, almost absently, and slid his hand between her legs once more, gently parting them. She let out a long, slow breath, and then he was inside her, filling her up and stroking a spot that made her shiver.
He moved, angling his hips with painful slowness. She let out a squeak of annoyance, wrapping her leg around his hip. She was rewarded by a grin and a growl.
He leaned over her, careful to balance his weight on his elbows, and began to move more quickly. She closed her eyes, letting the sensations take over her, pleasure sparking through her with every thrust. Her climax was close, so close she could already feel her core pulsing in anticipation.
Strong fingers curled around her chin.
“Nay, ye daenae, lass,” he breathed. “Daenae ye dare hide yer eyes from me.”
She forced her eyes open, breath coming hard, and met his gaze squarely. A tidal wave of shivering pleasure rushed through her, collecting in the pit of her stomach and where they were joined, making her cry out, digging her fingers into his shoulders.
Evander gave a low growl, his thrusts speeding up and losing rhythm, spilling inside her as if he’d been waiting for her to reach her peak before he did.
Their heartbeats counted out time as they returned to normal, both of them gasping for breath. Evander gently pulled back, then leaned down to press a kiss to her cheek.
“Did ye like that?” he whispered.
“It was wonderful,” she responded, closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love ye, Evander.”
He kissed her neck, and she shivered delightfully at the scratch from his beard.
“I’ll say it again as often as I must from now on, love, but I suppose this will be the first time. I love ye too, Skye. Even if ye do drive me a wee bit mad.”
She chuckled. “Ye wouldnae have it any other way.”
“Nay, I wouldnae.”
“I think the rain has stopped,” Skye observed.
They had all but fallen asleep, tangled up in the warm blankets together. Her cheek rested against his bare chest, and she found herself listening to the rhythmic thud of his heart.
“So it has,” he answered drowsily, his fingers moving absently through her hair. She closed her eyes, leaning into the sensation.
“Shall we show the contract to me braither?”
Evander chuckled, the noise tickling through her chest. “What, now?”
She reddened. “Nae now. I mean later. Tomorrow, perhaps.”
“Well, I thought the contract was just for us. Still, we’ll get a proper marriage contract drawn up tomorrow. How does that sound?”
She tilted her head to look up at him through half-lidded eyes. Thoughtfully, she slid her hand up his chest to stroke the rough stubble on his cheeks.
“I think ye need a shave,” she whispered.
He gave a throaty laugh. “Fergus said the same. Speaking of which, I’d better write to him and tell him that ye will be coming back with me. That will cause some celebration in the keep.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I… I’m glad to be going home.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m glad to be taking ye home, me love.”
Raised voices echoed outside, making Skye flinch and sit up.
“That’s Hunter,” she whispered in a panic. “Did ye lock the door?”
“Of course.”
The knob jiggled, and somebody thumped on the door.
“Skye? Are ye all right in there?” came Hunter’s angry, muffled voice.
“Aye, Hunter, I’m fine,” Skye answered, trying to sound calm. “Daenae come in.”
“Is he still in there with ye? The storm is over, the rain has stopped, so he’s leaving. Now.”
Skye cleared her throat. “Actually, I think Evander is going to stay a wee bit longer.”
There was a beat of silence on the other side of the door.
“What?” Hunter sputtered, sounding thoroughly confused.
There was a short kerfuffle, and then Helena’s voice came through the door. “Never mind, ye two take as long as ye need. Hunter, ye can come with me now.”
“But—but Maither—”
“Now!”
Skye buried her face into her pillow, smothering her laughter as her brother’s protesting voice faded further and further away.
“He’s going to kill me when I get out of this room,” Evander groaned.
Skye lifted her head, crawling across the mattress toward him. Leaning over him, she let her lips hover just over his.
“Then I’ll have to make sure ye daenae leave this room until he’s calmed down,” she breathed.
Evander gave a slow grin. “Is that a promise?”
“Oh, aye.”