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He paid her no heed, however, and as soon as they arrived back to the castle, Domhnall gave Katherine no chance to protest as he whisked her through the corridors in search of Enya.

When they eventually found her in the drawing room, his sister could not hide her surprise upon seeing Katherine’s arm.

“A tattoo!” she gasped.

“Yes.” Katherine nodded, smiling through her pain. “It’s what I’ve always wanted.”

Enya shared a glance with Domhnall who wisely remained silent. Upon getting no reaction from her brother, Enya sat Katherine down on a nearby chair and tenderly placed her hands upon the deeply reddened skin.

“Oh,” Katherine cried. “What a strange sensation.”

Enya beamed a smile. “Ye’ll get used tae it after a few times.”

To that, Katherine came back. “Well, I’m hoping I’m not so clumsy that I’ll need you all that often.”

When Enya lifted her hands, Katherine’s skin looked far better, and appearing astonished, Katherine could only gawk at it. Even though she knew of Enya’s gift, it appeared that the experience of being healed by her still amazed her.

“Thank you, Enya,” she said, after running her fingers back and forth over her tattoo.

“Ye’re welcome. And by the way.” His sister nodded to the ink. “It looks great.”

“Right. And now, we have other business tae attend tae,” Domhnall said, offering his hand to Katherine.

“We do?”

But Domhnall didn’t answer, and instead, led her out of the drawing room, through the corridors, up the wide staircase, until they finally arrived at his study.

Once inside, Katherine moved further into the room in the direction of the fire place, and in so doing, did not notice Domhnall locking the door.

“Actually,” she began, “it is good that we have this time together.”

She had her back to him while she spoke, but as Domhnall strode across the room towards her, he was not really listening. He had something far more pressing on his mind.

“There is something I need?—”

But sensing his approach, she spun around and suddenly looked terrified.

“Oh,” she gasped.

He gazed down at her, watching her wide eyes flick across his face. She then blushed, for she finally realized why they were there, and then, she smiled shyly.

Without a word, he held her face and lowered his mouth to hers, feeling her fall into him as she returned his tender kiss. But his desperation grew as quickly as his passion, and slipping his tongue between her lips, he lashed it about inside her mouth, tasting the sweetness inside.

And then, his hands fell to her body and he began tearing at her clothes. She surprised him in equal measures, for as he undressed her, she lay her hands on him and did the same.

His plaid fell from his shoulders, as her cloak was tossed onto a nearby chaise lounge. Stealing a passionate kiss, his shirt was tugged over his head, as he pulled at the ties of her corset. Their lips crashed together again while his trousers and her skirts fell to the floor at the same time. They still devoured each other while grabbing the others’ under garments, until eventually, their lips parted and they stood there, facing each other, panting in their nakedness.

Scooping her up in his arms, Domhnall lowered himself to his knees and lay Katherine on the thick rug in front of the fire.

“In my life, I dinnae think I’ve set me eyes on anything as precious and beautiful,” he growled.

And he meant every word, for though there had been lasses before her, none had lit a fire within him that burned so brightly, so deeply, and so hot.

Lowering his lips, he kissed her again. Katherine snaked her arms around his neck, but he gently took hold of her wrists andpulled her arms away. While she looked disappointed, Domhnall smiled.

“I have something else planned fer ye, me love.”

Starting at her collar bone, he dragged his lips across her soft skin, delighting at the sound of the light moan that emanated from her throat. Going lower and lower, his tongue found her pert nipple, and eliciting a loud gasp from her, he flicked his tongue over and over, feeling her writhing beneath him.