Page 14 of Bride Takes a Charmer (Highland Vows & Vengeance #3)

H er silence remained necessary. Sorsha had to keep the happenings at Tor Castle to herself, at least for now.

Somehow she had to think of a way to rescue Gillian and avoid seeing Geoff.

Would Geoff be wrathful that she’d married Shaw and enact retribution for her defiance against her wee lass?

She could only pray he wouldn’t. But best if he didn’t know of Gillian’s peril. It could only make things worse.

Still, she wished she could tell Shaw what happened and have him retrieve her daughter.

For now, until she came up with a sound plan, she had to keep all to herself or risk Gillian’s safety.

She couldn’t help but feel saddened, knowing her daughter was in Geoff’s hands.

With a quick prayer, she hoped Gillian fared well and that she understood why her mother hadn’t come for her.

She could only imagine the sorrow and anguish her young daughter must be feeling.

Now, Sorsha stood in a mostly darkened chamber awaiting Shaw.

Stone walls sent a chill through the room even though the servants had lit a fire in the hearth.

The flames danced, but only sent a feeble glow to the corners of the chamber, making dark shadows dance upon the stone and furnishings—a good-sized bed and a small table.

There were no other furnishings within. With shaky hands, she lit two candles situated in the holder and held them high to get a better view.

Somehow her valise had made its way to the room.

Sorsha set the candelabra on the small table and grabbed it.

Wearily, she sat on the edge of the bed and rummaged through it until she found her sleep attire. Hastily, she removed her garments and the cold air sent a flush of bumps over her skin. Just as quickly, she pulled on a nightdress.

Near the window casement, she watched the sky turn to darkness and a tremble overtook her.

She feared the night to come. Was she as unloving as Rodick had told her?

When they were together as husband and wife, she suffered through the ordeal of his touches.

Her husband had grunted and groaned as he’d ground against her.

Usually, within minutes it was over. She hadn’t suffered overlong.

But Shaw was a caring man and she suspected their joining would differ from the uncomfortable nights she’d spent with Rodick. Still, Sorsha was unsure if she should get in bed or stand awaiting her new husband. What would he expect of her?

Before she made a move to lie on the bed, Shaw entered the chamber.

He appeared so handsome with his luxuriously flowing silky hair caressing the tops of his shoulders.

His eyes bespoke his happiness at seeing her and crinkled at the edges.

She wanted to run at him and throw herself in his embrace, but something held her back.

Perhaps her nervousness got the better of her.

She stood still, watching him across the chamber and the silence between them unnerved her further.

When she remained silent, he approached with slow steps until he reached her. “I had not considered how difficult this would be for ye. If ye are still mourning Rodick, we can wait…”

His patience seemed to calm her and she drew an easy breath.

She set her palm on the bulge of his arm muscle and shook her head.

“’Tis not that. I am not mourning him. There was never affection betwixt us.

” Sorsha sighed because saying such reminded her of Rodick’s last words and the look he’d given her as if he’d had regrets.

Shaw took hold of her arms with a gentleness and leaned his forehead against hers. “There will be affection betwixt us. Ye must know how I felt when ye were given to him.”

“That was a difficult time…for us both. I tried to find you, Shaw, and planned to abscond with you before the ceremony but I couldn’t and was told you had gone.

” Sorsha stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his hard body.

She breathed deeply taking in the scent of him and closed her eyes at the solace he brought to her.

“I did not know that. When your betrothal was announced, I left hastily because I could not witness ye being given to another.” He touched her chin with his index finger and gently tilted her face back to look at her fully.

“If I’d known that ye wanted to run away with me, I would not have left ye there. ”

“It does not matter now. I fear that I will dissatisfy you since Rodick often voiced his scorn when we were…together and said I was frigid. I do not want to disappoint you, Shaw.” She lowered her face to his tunic and sighed, feeling weary and worn from hoping to please him.

Sadness welled within her because the last thing she wanted to do was disappoint him.

Shaw pressed her back and took hold of her hand.

With an encouraging squeeze of her fingers, he subtly told her all would be well.

“It is my duty as your husband to ensure that ye give as much pleasure as ye receive. We will prevail together, sweet lass, and I promise ye there will be enjoyment for us both.”

“This is quite embarrassing. I am not a maid, yet…I know not what to do and never participated in the…act.” She couldn’t continue her explanation and felt the heat on her face.

He stepped backward, putting a little distance between them. His gaze mollified her when his smile reached his eyes. “What do ye want to do?” His eyes slid from hers to her mouth and then back to her eyes.

“I want to kiss you if you want to…” She took a step toward him but he met her before she could take another.

Without thought, she wet her lips with a stroke of her tongue.

Her heart raced, thumping madly at the prospect of kissing him.

He’d always had such an effect on her, even when they were young and unknowing in the ways of men and women or mating.

Shaw wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her against him.

He said nothing but lowered his head. His lips brushed over hers twice before he forced her mouth to open by taking hold of her chin with gentle fingers.

Then he swept his tongue inside her mouth and the sensation of it sent desire swarming through her.

She’d never felt such longing, at least not since she’d first laid eyes on him.

As he pulled back, he moaned softly. “I cannot get enough of ye.”

Sorsha pressed her hands on his chest and marveled at his strength and hardness. But surely a man such as he had been with many other women! She was bound to disappoint him. Apprehensively, she shifted away but took his hand in hers and led him toward the bed.

“Before we… we should remove our garments.” His voice almost cracked though his eyes remained dark and full of desire.

“All of them? I never did so, when… Are you certain that we should?”

Shaw flashed a grin. “Aye, lass, there is naught more bonny than an ungarbed woman. Do not be abashed, sweetheart, for a woman’s body is a sight to behold and I am certain yours is exquisite.

” He set his hands on her shoulders and pressed the fabric of her nightdress until it slid down her arms and then off her body to puddle on the floor around her feet.

She didn’t move but stood frozen to the spot and lowered her head.

So he had seen other women. Surely, she was lacking.

At least, she wasn’t sure her body was beautiful.

It wasn’t that she was ashamed of it, but no one had ever seen her unclothed, or even implied it was something they desired to see.

Shaw pressed his hand on her jaw and then lowered it to her neck. The sensation and warmth of his touch sent a chill through her. “Just as I suspected. Ye are lovely.”

“Should I…I undress you?” Sorsha was unprepared to do something so bold.

But he nodded and now she had to proceed.

With as much bravery as she could muster, she reached for his belt.

After undoing it, she let it fall and it clattered at their feet.

Yanking at his tartan, the material fluttered to join the belt.

Shaw stood in his tunic and he used his hands to shift it over his head.

His chest shone in the candlelight. There was a smattering of light hair on his chest and his musculature appeared sculpted and hard. She was tempted and couldn’t resist pressing her fingers on his skin. He was brawny and warm. “You are so handsome.”

“And ye, lass, are going to make this difficult for me.”

She gasped lightly. “What mean you by that? Are you—”

“I only meant that I am already affected by your presence. If ye touch me again, I might enflame from within. I want naught more than to join with you and to feel your soft skin against mine.”

Sorsha longed to kiss him and to press her body against the heat of his skin. She set her hand on his shoulder and her other on the side of his neck. “Shaw, I want to…” Her words ceased as she reached up to press her mouth on his.

Shaw pulled her gently and they fell backward onto the bed.

Her body splayed over his but all she could think about was the way he kissed her.

His mouth moved over hers and persuaded her to return the sensual lure of his tongue.

Her hands pressed over his skin, taking in the curves and ripples of his musculature.

Soon, she lost herself in the depths of his kisses and she moaned at the power of him and at the height of his dizzying allure.

His large hands perused slowly over her body and caressed her in return.

When his fingers cupped her breast, she drew in a startled gasp—not because she was afraid, but for the intensity of pleasure that seemed to reverberate through her because of his touch.

She kept her mouth against his and focused on the movement of his body and hands.