Chapter 16 #2
“I’ve written to your cousin about dispensing with banns.” They would pay a fine instead at the time of recording for the irregular marriage.
She arched a brow, clearly amused. “That was fast.”
He shrugged, masking the stab of guilt. “I didn’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.
” And if his plan didn’t work, he wouldn’t wait another day to free his brother from the hellhole of Blackness Prison and his people from Duart’s suffering.
To that end, he added, “I’ve written Rory as well. ”
She smiled, nestling against him, the hard press of her nipples an erotic tease.
“I’m flattered, but there is no reason to rush.
I won’t change my mind. Though I’m sure my brother and cousin will be so eager to see me wed they will do whatever is necessary to ensure it is done quickly.
I’m afraid my cousin has been rather annoyed with me lately. ”
“With good reason, I’d wager.”
A naughty smile played upon her lips. “Perhaps.” Her nose crinkled adorably. “You don’t think there will be any problem in securing their agreement, do you?”
The irony of her question was not lost on him—it was all but decided. “I was very persuasive. They will have no objection.” Argyll would see that Rory agreed; there was no reason for him not to.
She gazed up at him with all the trust in the world. He had to look away.
“I know how persuasive you can be.” Her hand caressed the muscle of his uninjured arm, sending heat rippling through him. “Did you tell them …”
He knew what she was thinking. That she was no longer a virgin. “Not unless it is necessary.”
She nodded, relieved, and continued her stroking. Touching him. Her hands skimming over his body like the softest feather. A feather that singed a fiery path wherever she went.
“But surely we will need more time to prepare for the celebration?” she asked.
He could barely think; his senses were overwhelmed with the scent, the feel, and the touch of her. “I won’t wait a moment longer than necessary to make you my wife. I’d do it today if it were possible. As it is not, we will be married on Sunday.” Four days hence. He could wait four damn days.
Her hand slid over his stomach and dipped. Or maybe not.
“Hmm. It seems a long time to wait.” Her fingers traced the taut muscles, skimming dangerously close to his erection. He couldn’t breathe. “For no real reason.”
Was there a reason? None he could think of right now.
She had him so damn aroused, lust was doing his thinking.
All he could think about was making love to her until they collapsed in an exhausted heap.
Until he bound her to him so that she could never deny their feelings. Maybe making love again would help.
She gazed up at him, her expression suddenly uncertain. He knew she was confused by his apparent reluctance when he’d been doing everything in his power to seduce her the past few days. Hell, he was confused by it, too.
“You meant what you said, didn’t you?”
He smoothed the lines of worry between her brows with the soft press of his lips. “Aye, lass. I meant it.” That was what was making this so difficult.
“You love me?”
“With all my heart.”
Her eyes sparked. “Then show me.”
He would, damn it. It was a challenge he could not resist. Lachlan wasn’t a man used to spouting pretty words to express his emotions—and even if he were, there were no words for what he was feeling right now.
When he looked at her, he felt as if he’d been given the greatest prize in the kingdom—her love.
She made him feel invincible. He wanted to tell her what he was feeling, but he didn’t know where to begin.
Words were not his way, but he could show her.
He would make love to her until she could never doubt it.
She was his.
He slid his hand behind her neck, savoring the warmth and the heavy drape of her silky soft hair, and brought her mouth to his in a hungry kiss—a kiss that had been too long denied.
There was nothing poignant or teasing about this kiss; this time he took her with a savageness that only hinted at the raging passion burning inside him.
Passion that was part abstinence, part fear, part frustration, and all desire.
He groaned against her mouth, savoring the exquisite softness of her lips and skin, the subtle fragrance that surrounded her, the sweet taste of her …
God, it had been too long. He kissed her harder, clasping her against him as his tongue delved deep into the honey recesses of her mouth.
She opened against him, taking him deeper, returning the thrust of his tongue with her own—her response every bit as carnal as his.
The little sounds of pleasure escaping from her lips urged him on.
Her body seemed molded to his, every curve, every crevice, dissolving all that came between them.
He kissed her mouth, her chin, her neck, savoring the delicious taste of her skin. But it wasn’t enough—he wanted her naked on his bed so he could devour every luscious inch of her.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her the few steps to his bed, laying her down gently. Then, slowly, he slid off her robe, stopping her when she tried to pull a sheet over herself.
“No. Let me look at you.” He wanted to hold on to this moment forever.
To remember exactly how she looked lying on his bed, ready for him to take her.
She was achingly beautiful—her blond hair shimmering in the candlelight, her flawless ivory skin as smooth as alabaster, her delicate, heart-shaped face dominated by those luminous blue eyes.
He slipped his fingers through the silk of her hair fanned out behind her head on the fluffy feather pillow and then traced her swollen lips with his thumb.
His gaze moved down the length of her body, and a swift kick of lust hit him hard.
Her body was incredible. Built for a man’s pleasure with her lush round breasts, the pale nearly transparent skin tipped by nipples the mouthwatering pink of ripe berries.
Unable to resist, he leaned over and took one luscious tip in his mouth, rolling it gently between his teeth.
She moaned with pleasure, and he forced himself to release her, not yet done with his study.
Her stomach was flat and her hips softly curved.
He slipped his hand around her waist, almost spanning her.
And that bottom … He moved his hands around to cup her.
He’d been pressed against that soft bottom too many times this past week, he knew exactly how she felt against him.
Later, he would appease her curiosity and show her exactly how it worked. How he could fill her from behind.
Her legs. Damn, her legs went on forever. Long and lean, with perfectly sculpted calves. Even her feet were small and delicately arched, with adorable pink toes.
He’d seen many naked women in his life, but none had ever affected him so.
It wasn’t just her beauty that overwhelmed him, or the lust he felt for her, it was something more fundamental.
Something that went to the very core of him and filled his chest with an incredible warmth.
Something he hadn’t even known he was looking for, but now that he’d found it, he couldn’t imagine being without.
Losing her would be like cutting himself in half.
How had it happened so damn fast without his realizing it?
“Lachlan …”
He saw the embarrassment flooding her face pink. Her natural spirit and confidence sometimes made him forget just how truly innocent she was. “You’re so beautiful. It gives me pleasure to look at you.”
Her gaze slid over his naked chest and down his stomach to the heavy bulge in his trews. “I can see that.”
He smiled. “You’re a bold lass.”
She returned his smile. “Only with you.”
A fierce wave of possessiveness swept over him. The enormity of what she’d given him hit him hard.
“You humble me, mo ghradh.” My love.
She reached up and tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear; the happiness sparkling in her eyes made his chest ache.
“I’m so happy. I love you so much. I can’t believe that you feel the same.”
“Never doubt it,” he said fiercely. “No matter what happens, Flora, never doubt my feelings for you.”
The vehemence of his voice startled her; he saw the sudden flash of uncertainty in her gaze. “What could possibly happen?”
He cursed his uncharacteristic display of emotion. “Nothing,” he assured her, and started to unfasten his trews. “But after tonight, I promise you will never doubt my love for you again.”
Flora shuddered with anticipation. The sensual promise in his voice set her blood aflame. She had no doubt he meant every word.
But it was his eyes that touched her heart.
No man had ever looked at her with such all-consuming intensity—with raw hunger, possessiveness, and reverence all at the same time.
His eyes caressed her nakedness, making her feel special—loved—as if she were the most beautiful, most precious woman in the world.
When she’d first entered his room, she’d felt a moment of uncertainty, sensing his reluctance. It was really quite sweet, his wanting to wait until they were wed. She smiled. Who would have thought her wild Highlander would be beset by sudden propriety?
But she didn’t want to wait until they were married.
She couldn’t wait a moment longer. His reverent touch and devouring gaze had made every inch of her tingle with need.
The shattering sensations he’d awakened in her the last time teased the edges of her memory but were still too new to be fully recalled.
She felt that strange restlessness building inside her, the powerful urgency.
She ached for his mouth, his hands, his fullness inside her. For the fulfillment of his promise.