Page 12 of Bride takes a Scot

Declan took hold of her face, and his large hand cupped her neck. He pressed his lips on hers and then yanked her body to his. Isabella’s heart skipped several beats. His hard manly lips covered hers and he used his tongue to get her to open her mouth. She touched her tongue to his and moaned softly at the exquisite sensations swarming her body. Their kiss was much more affecting than the modest peck he’d given her after their vows. But it ended too soon when Declan pulled away.

“Now get some sleep,Wife. We will set out early.”

She scrunched her eyes in objection to him calling her wife again. “How much farther do we need to travel,Husband?” Isabella couldn’t help but pout at the thought of another long day’s ride. She wasn’t one to complain but she ached all over and was exhausted. A harrumph escaped her lips before she could stop herself.

He sighed a heavy breath and likely surmised her annoyance. “Another day or so. We should reach home by tomorrow night or mayhap the following morn. It depends on how fast we travel.”

It was probably the most he’d ever spoken to her at once and she reveled in the sound of his voice. Isabella nodded. “I shall do my best to keep up.”

She closed her eyes and relaxed, feeling protected. The sensations, the tastes, and the feeling of their kiss continued to fill her thoughts. If bedding Declan was as pleasurable as that kiss, then she was in for a passionate experience.

Chapter Five

Declan closed hiseyes but kept his ears alert for any noise in the nearby woods, falling into the fitful and light doze he’d perfected as a warrior. His sword lay beside him at the ready should anyone come upon them. He didn’t like that they now rode through hostile territory and if it wasn’t for his bonny but soft wife, he would have ridden through the night. The sooner he reached his land, the safer they’d be.

He wasn’t concerned for himself but for Isabella. She was too bonny for her own good. Any man would be proud to have her as his wife, but her beauty also instilled the need in him to protect her. Some men could easily be swayed by the lust for such a beauty to kill a rival.

As the sky lightened, he remained still and gave Isabella a few more moments of sleep. She slept heavily given the dead weight of her body pressed against him. He wasn’t immune to her soft curvy body cuddled by his side. She was a sensual woman and joining with her was sure to leave him reeling. But his confidence with women was lacking, and although he wanted to be with her, he didn’t want to displease her either. Soon enough he’d have to face the consummation of their marriage. Declan wasn’t about to take her though, not in the woods. Nay, he wanted to wait until they reached home. Once he had Isabella settled in his home—and his bed—he’d figure out how to put the past behind him and dispel his uncertainty.

Isabella stirred and pulled away from him. Declan couldn’t fathom how a woman could appear so enchanting upon awakening. She was perfection, and there was no doubt in his mind that he was enamored.

He shook away his wayward thoughts and stood. On his approach to the horses, she sprinted toward the woods. He gave her a few minutes of privacy while he pulled out a roll of bread and a flask of ale, though he wasn’t hungry. When she returned to the clearing and stood by the remains of their fire, he held out the items to her. She snatched the bread with a grumble, broke a piece off, and handed the rest back.

“Good morn. I apologize if I have kept you,” she said groggily and nibbled on the bread.

He almost smiled at the tone of her voice. Though she woke looking bonny, morning Isabella was surly and appeared to dislike awakening early.

After she’d had a few sips and handed back the flask of ale, he finished it and shoved the empty flask into the saddlebag. “You did not keep me waiting, Isabella. We should get going, though, if we want to reach home before dark.” He put the rest of the bread away and helped her to mount her horse, ignoring her groans and winces. Riding was hard, he agreed, though in time she would develop the muscles for it. Right now, he could only admire her stamina and the fact that she wasn’t openly complaining as some fine ladies might. He mounted his steed and headed westerly.

Throughout the morning, they rode along silently. He remained focused and was thankful Isabella was a woman of few words. At his thought, however, she broke her silence.

“Declan, why are you so quiet? Do you dislike talking? We should get to know each other. Are there any questions you would like to ask me?”

He swallowed his mirth. He’d given her credit for her silence too quickly. “It’s nay that I’m not inclined to talk, lass,” he explained. “But I’m listening.”

“To what?”

“Not to, butfor. Sounds,” he said in almost a whisper. “For foes or animals.”

She pivoted her head this way and that as if she expected someone or something to jump out of the woods. She addressed him in a whisper, now, suddenly aware, apparently, that their voices would carry and alert others of their presence. “Is there danger?”

“There is always danger,Wife.” He shrugged and signaled to her to be quiet.

Declan had thought he’d heard something, perhaps a boar or a wolf nearby before she’d spoken, and now he continued to focus on the sounds around them. But other than the songs of birds, the wind in the trees, and the sound of their own horses’ hooves, there was nothing now to give him concern.

After another league of riding, he noticed Isabella pitching to the side. He slowed his horse’s pace until she caught up to him.

“You are tired?”

She visibly sighed and nodded. “Is it all right to speak now?”

“Aye, Wife. I thought there might be danger, but whatever I’d heard is gone. We can make camp or continue riding if you’re up for it.”

“I want to stop, but I sense you wish to keep riding.” She winced as she curved her back into a stretch, then straightened her legs to flex her ankles in circles. She was obviously feeling stiff and tired.

“Och, ’tis but a short ride farther. If it helps to know, you shall have a warm bed this night.” Declan smiled at her agreeable nature. Most women would have complained at thewearisome ride, but she hadn’t. His wife had grit, which pleased him.

She narrowed her eyes. “Say no more. We will keep riding then.”