Page 8 of Bride Takes a Laird (Highland Vows & Vengeance #2)

K endra gasped when the door burst open and at the unexpected intrusion. She hadn’t expected Magnus to return so soon. She’d had enough time to bathe, don her nightrail, and settle in the chair near the hearth. As she sat by the fire considering her father’s situation, she used her fingers to detangle her damp hair. Being clean and in fresh garments lulled her. She was more tired than she thought from the journey, her worry over her father, and the night to come. The marriage bed was somewhat of a fear of hers—because she wasn’t privy to what would happen.

“I thought ye would be asleep. Did I frighten ye? I apologize if I did.”

She shook her head. “I just…wasn’t expecting you back so…soon.” Kendra smiled at the sound of his raspy voice. How could so few words appease her? But his voice lightened her and that he was caring enough to apologize for startling her, eased her spirit.

“I only needed to get a report from Wyren, my brother, who is also the commander-in-arms.” Magnus pulled his upper tartan from his body as he crossed the chamber. “I think I will partake of your bath water.” Before he reached the basin, he began shedding his garments and left them on the floor behind him in a trail as he walked until he stood before the basin naked with his lovely backside on display. He turned his face to peer at her.

Kendra was sure her cheeks were as bright as a smith’s poker for she had never seen a naked man before. She had to take a breath to remind herself that Magnus was her husband now and she shouldn’t be embarrassed. The incredible sight of his body drew her sigh though. “The water is probably cold by now. Do you want me to have some water heated for you?”

“Nay, I will not be overlong and only want to wash.” Magnus stepped into the bath and sat back with his legs bent, his knees sticking above the water level. He barely fit in the large tub.

“Do you wish me to bathe you?” She had heard that most wives bathed their husbands and some wives even bathed guests that visited their keeps. She hoped that wasn’t something they did in the Highlands and that it wasn’t expected. Still, Kendra wanted to be a good wife, no matter what that entailed.

“If ye wish,” he said and motioned her to him.

Kendra knelt next to the tub and picked up the cloth she had used to wash. She lathered it with the bar of soap she’d retrieved from her belongings. Then she set it on his chest. As she ran the cloth over him, she couldn’t help but notice the taut muscles of his body. Everywhere she touched was firm. He was utterly male, strong, and marred by scars.

Magnus closed his eyes and relaxed back. She took advantage of his inattention and peeked at his midsection. What she could see beneath the water made Kendra’s cheeks grow further enflamed. Abashed, she slapped the cloth on his knee and washed one leg and then the other. When she glanced back at Magnus, he was staring at her. His greenish-brown eyes deepened to a greener shade.

Kendra smiled. “You are finished, unless you want me to do your backside. I mean, your…”

Magnus leaned forward. “Just my back, sweetheart.”

She gently swiped the cloth over the hardness of his back and glided her fingers over the texture of his musculature. Her face was so close to his that she felt his breath on her cheek. Kendra had never seen such a well-bodied man and that she was married to him pleased her. He definitely wasn’t akin to Heatherington in any sense. She quickly gave a prayer of thanks to God for that.

Magnus set his hand on her arm and forced her to stop. “That’s enough.”

“Let me get you a drying cloth.” She hastened to the trunk where she had put her belongings and retrieved a large cloth she used for bathing. It was still slightly damp, but it would do to dry him. She hurried back to him and held it open for him to step into. She averted her gaze and blushed madly when he rose and had no qualms about standing before her in the nude.

He took the drying cloth from her, stepped out of the tub, and patted himself. Kendra retreated to the bed, sat upon the bed covers and kept her gaze averted. She had no notion of what to do. Should she instigate their relations? What was expected? She had no knowledge from which to draw upon, so she decided it was best to let him initiate any passion between them.

Magnus didn’t bother putting on a garment but sat on the side of the bed. He appeared just as daunted as she was. Kendra wondered what he was thinking, but assumed it was probably the same as she was—about their marriageable consummation. Only he probably had experience from which to draw upon. Most men did, didn’t they?

“Did you—?” she said.

“Are ye—?” he said at the same time.

Kendra chuckled and lay back. “This is rather silly, is it not? I should warn you, Magnus, that I have no experience with matters betwixt men and women in the bedchamber.”

“I should hope the hell not,” he said and shimmied next to her. He leaned his back against the bedframe, a large poster bed that took up most of the space on one side of the room.

“I am not afraid,” she whispered .

Magnus set his hand on her face and turned her to look at him. His eyes bore into hers. “Ye could’ve fooled me, lass. Just looking at ye pleases me. The rest will come easy. Trust in that.”

“I do trust you, Magnus, it’s just…you will have to tell me what to do. I wish not to disappoint you or be inept at it.”

He grinned and then set a light kiss on the side of her face. “There might be pain for ye when I join with ye the first time. I will try to be gentle.” He continued to place light kisses on her face and then slid his lips to her neck. The sensation of it gave her a shiver.

Kendra enjoyed his closeness and his attention. “I can bear it.”

Magnus smiled. “Ye are a brave lass.” His hand pressed down the length of her nightrail. “Let us get ye out of this.” He helped her remove her garment and shifted it over her body until he pulled it over her head. His hands grazed her skin and sent rivulets of pleasure through her body.

Kendra had never allowed anyone to see her unclothed. Her skin flushed and she couldn’t look him in the eyes. A chill shook her and a smattering of goosebumps flushed her skin. She wanted to hide beneath the covers.

“There is no need to be coy with me, sweetheart. In time, ye will not hide from me.”

She set her arms at her side because it was as if he’d read her thoughts. “I don’t mean to hide. It’s just…in this instance, I find I’m being cowardly. I am sorry…”

He chuckled and kissed her lips. “Do not be. This is a new experience for ye and I want ye to enjoy yourself.”

She gritted her teeth as his hand pressed her shoulder and slid down the length of her arm. “I do not know if that is possible. The unknown makes me uncomfortable.” Kendra shivered and she noticed his sigh. It wasn’t that she was cold, but just a strange sense that chilled her from within. Perhaps fear gripped her but Kendra was rarely afraid of anything and she didn’t know why she showed such distress now .

Magnus settled next to her. “We’ll go slow and I vow to ye, sweetheart, by the end of it, ye will enjoy it.” He wrapped his arms around her and set his chin on the top of her head.

Kendra almost gasped aloud when his muscular body touched hers. It was as if his entire body pressed against her as he embraced her. His skin was hard, hot, and warmed her. With his hands splayed over her back, he pressed her against him, thoroughly hiding the front of her from his view. She felt his need jabbing her leg, and even though she promised herself that she wouldn’t fall apart, she was coming close to doing so. But she wasn’t an emotional woman and instead of becoming undone, she decided to take control of her situation.

She pressed her hands over the muscles of his chest. Kendra decided she wanted to know every part of him and in learning that, she would take her mind off the inevitable. As her hands perused him, she used her legs and feet to likewise feel the thickness of his calves.

Magnus groaned. “Ye are making it hard not to take ye without preparing ye.”

“Will you just kiss me so I don’t think about it—?”

He set his mouth on hers and didn’t let her finish her words. That was enough to turn her mind to mush. The man surely could kiss. His mouth turned over hers, and at first, his tongue gently twirled with hers. The longer they kissed, the more fervent she became. Kendra didn’t know what came over her, but she couldn’t get enough of the kiss, his touch, or the feeling of his body against hers. She held him in a tight embrace and let herself go.

Magnus dislodged their mouths and pressed her back against the mattress before sliding down her body to take her breast in his mouth and Kendra gasped. White-hot fire shot to where his tongue caressed. She nearly screeched as pleasure simmered between her legs. He continued to tease her and used his hands to caress every part of her. She enjoyed their love play until he reached to press his fingers within her. Then she shrieked because it was unexpected.

“Let me make ye ready, sweetheart. It will help to ease ye when the time comes.” Magnus returned his mouth to hers and as he busied her with his mouth, he pressed his fingers inside her.

Kendra spent all of two seconds focused on his touch there until the desire for his kisses reverted her attention. Their kisses grew hotter and deeper, and swarmed her with a need she had never known existed. Magnus spread her legs and before she knew what he was about, he shifted his body and entered her.

He wouldn’t cease kissing her and kept his mouth against hers. Kendra moaned and thought to stop him, but it was futile now. Her fingers clutched his hair and she held him close. He pressed onward and suddenly a stitch inside her caused her to gasp. She drew in a big gulp of air and pressed her hands against his chest and pushed him gently in hopes that he wouldn’t continue.

Magnus petted her and spoke encouraging words. She had no notion of what he said because she was too focused on what he was doing to her. The pain he spoke of was minimal and only slightly uncomfortable.

“Do ye want me to cease? If ye do—”

She wanted to be brave so she shook her head. “Nay, I’d rather get on with it.”

“Good because I don’t think I could stop now that I…” Magnus moaned and drew a heavy breath. He leaned his head against hers and that was when she realized how raspy his breath was.

Was he uncomfortable too? Kendra was about to ask him that when he brushed his lips over her face and smiled.

“Ye are so tight, sweetheart, I am sorry that I hurt ye. We will give it a moment.”

She frowned at him and shook her head. “You didn’t hurt me, Magnus. Is it over? A moment for what?”

He grinned. “A moment until we seek pleasure, and nay, lass, it’s only just begun.”

Kendra disbelieved him. “This will not work, Magnus. I do not think we shall get pleasure from this act.”

He chuckled. “Aye, we will.”

Magnus shifted his body and the movement of him sliding from her and then gently easing within her again caused her to suck in a breath. She didn’t realize she was panting until she closed her mouth. He took it slow but gradually increased his thrusts. Kendra didn’t know when, but she wrapped her legs around his hips and squeezed his biceps with all her might. She held on and tried to meet his thrust. How wonderful it was, the twinges of desire so thoroughly numbing her to any thought. She reveled in his movements and hers.

It was as if they were entwined in a sensual dance. The bed rocked with such force that the wood thumped against the stone wall. Before long, their motions were wild with passion and overrode any sense of decorum. Kendra grunted from the force of his thrusts and watched his handsome face. He was focused, determined, and utterly attractive. She was so damned glad that she had chosen him for her husband.

Her culmination swarmed within her and she didn’t understand what was upon her until it washed over her like rays of sunshine. Kendra tilted her head back and she was uncertain if she’d shouted to God. Pangs of pleasure started between her legs and spread through her body like wildfire. She almost wept at the sheer delight of it. The feelings were so intense that she squeezed her eyes closed, gripped Magnus, and shouted an unladylike expletive.

Kendra felt as though she floated back upon the bedding and opened her eyes.

Magnus stared at her with his becoming eyes. He had somewhat of a smile on his face. His movements then became rather slowed.

“Ye are bonny, sweetheart. Aye, and mine.” With that, he jerked his body and rammed her with hard thrusts. He continued to shift against her until he leaned his head back, exposing his manly neck, and grunted.

Magnus froze and seemed to harden—his arms, legs, torso, every part of him stilled. A lingering groan came from between his lips. Kendra pressed her hands over his body, hoping to further fuel his pleasure. She shifted to keep him where he was and smiled up at him. Her mouth settled on the side of his neck and she placed light kisses on his damp skin.

He lowered his head to her chest and moaned. His hot breath fanned her breast. Kendra entwined her fingers in his hair and pressed him to her. Never had she felt closer to anyone before. Magnus calmed and shifted to lay next to her. He caressed her body with his large hand stopping at her throat. His thumb stroked the pulse there and he smiled.

“Kendra, I suspected ye were going to be good, but damnation, that was better than good.” He grinned at her and set a kiss on the side of her face.

“I don’t know why I was scared. It was not so bad.” She had meant to tease him.

“Not so bad, eh?” He laughed. “Just wait, there is more to loving than what we just did, lass.” He raised his brows and wore a devilish grin.

“More? I disbelieve you, Magnus, because that was incredible. Will we do that often?” Kendra wanted more. She couldn’t believe husbands and wives did such things to one another.

“Aye, if ye want to. I know I do.” Magnus set his leg over hers and yanked her hard against him. “For now though, we should get a wee bit of sleep. Wake me if ye want more,” he teased.

Kendra closed her eyes and her body lulled not only from the sensual love she’d shared with Magnus, but also from the journey, and her worries about her father. She heard Magnus’s light chuckle as she stretched and settled in his arms. Realization dawned on her that she was no longer alone. Even if she spent little time with him during the day, he was hers at night. His light snore sounded and she sighed happily. She had Magnus when the moon rose and that had to be enough for her for now.