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“Should I be insulted that ye dinnae want everyone to know how ye truly feel about me?”

James downed his drink. He came to the bed, but did not climb under the covers with her. Instead, he lounged casually on the mattress, his elbow propped on the pillow, eyeing her.

God above, he was a handsome devil. Her pulse became a rapid pounding in her ear, while a steady stream of warmth filled her heart until it was almost too full to hold it inside.

“’Tis no secret that I adore ye. But I prefer privacy when I pour my heart out to my wife.”

He pressed a soft kiss on her lips and she leaned forward, wanting more, but he pulled back.

“What’s wrong?”

He ran his hand through his hair. “I want this night to be filled with memories that ye will always cherish.”

She tipped her head at a flirtatious angle. “I’m the one who is supposed to be filled with bridal nerves, not ye.”

James rubbed his freshly shaved jaw. “’Tis our wedding night,” he said, as though that explained everything.

The sheet that the women had carefully tucked around her naked form to preserve her modesty began to slide away. She could feel the cool night air on her exposed flesh, but the desire that flashed in James’s eyes heated her blood.

“Tell me, husband, will ye be able to summon up some sweet words fer yer bride or will this be a long, cold night?”

“My brother is the one blessed with a silver tongue.”

“But I dinnae want yer brother,” she whispered throatily. “I wanted ye.”

The words had barely left her mouth when James pounced. Cupping the back of her head, he claimed her lips in a kiss so heady that she felt dizzy.

He kissed his way down her throat to her breast and captured her nipple between his lips. She gasped in delight and he suckled until she was panting and squirming. Then he dipped his head lower, down to her soft belly and beyond, touching the heart of her womanhood with the tip of his tongue. Davina screamed in surprise, pulling away, but he held her hips tightly.

“Ye need to trust me, Davina. I promise ye willnae be disappointed.”

Well, he had promised her a memorable wedding night. Trapped between desire and mortification, Davina allowed him to nudge her legs wider apart. She bit her lower lip nervously when he sank between her thighs, but all thoughts of modesty and embarrassment fled when his tongue returned to that sweet spot and swept over it again.

“James.” She gripped his shoulders. “Are ye certain?”

“Aye. It gives me such pleasure to know ye in this way. Ye’re so pretty. So pink, so lush.”

His searching tongue laved her gently, swirling, circling, then suckling. She cried out again, arching herself against his greedy mouth, the mindless joy intensifying. Desire and need blazed inside her. She tried to speak, but the tension was too overwhelming.

The throbbing was almost painful and she struggled to end it, moaning and thrashing. Her breathing was rough and ragged, she could hear it echoing through the chamber. It felt as though every inch of her flesh had come to life; the wetness between her legs, the aching of her breasts, the throbbing of her womanhood.

Then suddenly it all crested. Her body began shuddering, trembling uncontrollably. Her capacity to think vanished. Aye, all she could do wasfeeland it truly was as glorious as James had promised.

She went limp when it ended. James moved up to hold her. He stroked her hair, whispered in her ear, nuzzled her neck. Her eyes closed and a feeling of utter exhaustion, mingled with delighted contentment, came over her.

Davina felt herself drifting off to sleep.Nay, I want my wedding night!

Shaking her head vigorously, she opened her eyes. James held himself above her, one arm resting on the mattress. She cast him a wicked smile, then a slight shift of her hips brought his body precisely where she wanted it, pressing tightly against his straining penis.

“Ye promised me a memorable wedding night, husband.”

He flexed his hips and let out a half groan, half laugh. “A Highlander is true to his word. Never more so than when he is speaking to his woman.”

His woman.Hearing those words fall from his lips sent a new thrill through Davina’s body. She felt his hands slide under her buttocks, lifting her, and she felt a renewed sense of tingling excitement.

“Open fer me, sweetheart.” His voice was raspy, tortured, and she was glad to know his need was as great as hers.

She obeyed his command, spreading her legs apart. He trembled as he arched over her. She felt his hard length probing for entrance and for a moment she tensed, digging her nails into his arms. He groaned loudly, but ceased moving.