Page 75 of A Highland Bride Taken

“I am indeed most fortunate to be married to ye,” he whispered with a smile.

“What…”

The words died in her throat as he pulled her to him and slanted his lips over hers, but she could not complain as she kissed him with as much force as he did her.

29

Kissing her husband made her feel more alive than even running in the heather fields with the boys, and she did it fervently, burying her fingers in his hair as he groaned into her mouth.

Their kiss was harried and hungry, and there was something else she couldn’t place. But she did not care to think about it. He pulled her into his chest, but she pushed against him till she was lying atop him, her legs on either side of his hips.

He grinned up at her, running a hand through her hair.

“Ye are so beautiful,” he purred. “I cannae believe ye’re mine.”

He pulled her face down to his, kissing her long and hard and groaning into her mouth. She felt the tenderness with which he held her and kissed him back, letting her mouth express everything she wished she could say out loud.

He turned them so she now lay beneath him, and his hands began to roam over her body till they were both breathless with need and clawing at each other’s clothes.

He undressed her first, and even though it was not the first time he would see her naked, she felt fully bare beneath him, as if he knew all her secrets. She moved to cover herself with her hands, but he stilled her.

“Nay,” he protested. “Dinnae cover yerself. I want to see ye.”

She lowered her hands, but it did nothing to quell her unease.

He palmed her face softly, then his hand trailed down her body, missing all the spots that ached for his touch.

“Something’s different,” he noted with a pointed glare. “Have I offended ye, wife?”

“Nay!” she blurted. “Why do ye ask?”

He smiled softly and sat back on his haunches, which caused her to rise as well.

“Ye are hiding from me. Why?”

She lowered her eyes and worried her lip.

“There are nay longer any secrets between us, wife. Ye can tell me,” he urged.

She closed her eyes, steeling herself for the rejection that was sure to follow her request.

“May I see ye?” she asked, unable to meet his eyes.

He hooked a finger under her chin and tilted up her face. “I dinnae understand,” he said with a frown.

“I…” She swallowed, lifting a hand to his shirt.

He watched her as she fiddled with the buttons at his collar, understanding creeping into his gaze.

“I have been… curious, and I…”

He laughed softly, kissing her wrist. “‘Tis nae a pretty sight, I’m afraid,” he told her, trying to lay her back down.

“Nay,” she protested. “I dinnae care. I want to see ye.”

He moved to undo her stays, but she stilled his hands.

“I will undress ye, husband,” she insisted, moving closer to him. “Instruct me.”