Page 27 of Jack (Highland Outlaws #1)

Their wedding was perfect with none of the pomp and frivolities of noble custom; they did not even stand for Mass.

She wore her stolen dress of homespun wool.

Jack made her a crown of wildflowers, which he laid on her unbound hair.

On her father’s arm, she walked the short length of the alehouse common room and stood in front of the local priest who, as fortune would have it, had been at one of the tables enjoying a mug of ale.

As the priest began to speak, his voice low and soothing, Bella felt her heart racing with anticipation. After believing for so long that she was fated to an unhappy marriage, now to be standing before the man she truly loved, while he recited his vows—she had never felt so full of joy.

When the priest reached the end of the ceremony, and he pronounced Jack and Bella husband and wife, the crowded common room erupted into cheers and applause.

Bella felt tears welling up in her eyes as Jack’s strong arms wrapped around her.

He kissed her—soft at first, then deeper.

He crushed her against his chest, and she moaned softly, reveling in his taste and the heat of his body.

She smiled when their lips parted. “I couldn’t have waited a moment more to be your wife.”

“My wife,” he whispered, as if he couldn’t believe the words. The look of hunger in Jack’s eyes was a mirror of her own desire.

Bella’s father cleared his throat, drawing both their gazes. He stood with a proud grin on his face, although his cheeks were faintly blushed, no doubt owing to their passionate display. “Congratulations to you both!”

Bella pressed a kiss to her father’s cheek. “Thank you, Papa!”

Jack placed his hand on David’s shoulder. “I promise to uphold my vows with my every breath.”

David’s smile beamed wider. “I know you will, my son. Now then, we have much to celebrate, and I’m famished. Shall we feast?” David asked, proudly pointing to a large spread of baked apples, stewed chestnuts, meat pies, bannock and ale.

God above forgive her, but the last thing Bella wanted at that moment was to sit down and eat.

She looked at Jack. The pulse at his neck raced.

Her feet pointed toward the stairs. His fists clenched and unclenched at his sides.

Finally, she forced a smile to her lips and was about to thank her father and sit down when an old woman in a voluminous black cloak drew near.

“Can’t ye see they’re not hungry?” the woman said to David.

“At least not for food.” She turned and winked at Bella.

She had soft, kind gray eyes and silvery hair pulled back from her face, which was creased with age.

She sat down next to David. “As for me, well, it has been a good while since I sat down to such a feast.” She reached for one of the small pies and took a bite.

“Mmm, eel...delicious,” she mumbled as she chewed.

Then she washed it down with a sip of ale. “Didn’t they have pigeon?” she asked.

Bella pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the appalled look on her father’s face. First giving Bella a sly smile, the old woman then turned back to David. “Surely, ye were young once,” she said with a wink.

David’s expression softened. “Would you believe that I was?”

The old woman smiled. “I would. And I also believe ye were once truly loved by a woman.”

A distant look clouded her father’s eyes, and a slight smile curved his lips. “Indeed I was,” he whispered. Leaning back in his chair, he looked up at Bella. “I wish you both every happiness,” he said softly.

Tears stung Bella’s eyes. “Are you certain, Papa?”

David nodded. “I will be fine.” Then he turned to the old woman at his side. “What is your name?”

“Gertrude,” she replied.

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” David said, before turning back to Bella. “Gertrude will keep me company.”

“Thank you, Papa,” Bella whispered.

Jack bowed to Bella’s father before the two of them headed up the stairway.

All the while, it felt like her heart was about to burst out of her chest. Her legs were trembling as he opened the door to the room they’d be sharing.

Taking a brief glance around the small space, Bella’s gaze settled on the narrow bed in the corner; everything else in the room blurred into obscurity.

The door slammed behind her. She whirled around and opened her arms just as Jack reached for her. Pulling the flower crown from her head, he sent it soaring across the room. Then his fingers dug into her hair, and, at last, he kissed her with all the strength her soul had craved.

His tongue swept between her lips, setting loose a wild hunger that surged through her veins.

His hands cupped her cheeks and then her neck and then caressed down her shoulders.

He tore his lips away. His black eyes were hard and heavy.

He grabbed her tunic and yanked it over her head.

Her kirtle quickly followed. She was bare to his midnight eyes.

He drew a shaky breath and ran a finger slowly down her breastbone to her navel.

Her legs trembled. An agonizing ache shuddered through her.

Her body tingled wherever he touched. He stepped back and jerked free from his clothes.

Her gaze raked over the hard lines of his chest and stomach.

His smell surrounded her, drawing her in.

She reached out and grazed the crisp, black hair fanning across his chest. His breathing quickened, and his skin shone with sweat.

She leaned close and pressed her lips to the hollow of his neck, savoring the salty taste of his skin.

With a groan, he pulled her against him.

His touch consumed her. Her breath caught in her throat.

Desperate longing overwhelmed her. He swept her into his arms and laid her gently on the bed, covering her with his warmth.

She grasped his shoulders, surrendering to the rhythm of their bodies.

Together, they climbed higher, reaching, needing, demanding.

Clinging to each other, they cried out in unison as waves of pleasure and sweet relief washed over them.

BELLA LAY IN JACK’S embrace. His fingertips grazed the length of her spine. She shivered and looked up at him through bleary eyes and smiled. “You are many things, Jack MacVie, and now you can add being the love of my life to the list.”

Then her lids opened wide. She sat up. “Something just occurred to me.”

He rolled over onto his back and laced his fingers behind his head. “Aye? And what is that?”

She leaned out of bed and scooped her tunic off the floor. “In truth, I did take this without asking, which means I stole it.”

He smiled. “But we both already knew that.”

She started to laugh.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“You and I are married.”

He frowned. “Although I do not see the humor in that, we are, indeed, married. There’s an alehouse full of witnesses able to attest to that fact.”

She could not contain her laughter.

“Are ye going to tell me what ye find so amusing, wife?”

She hiccupped and nodded. Reaching her arms around his neck, she said, “It just occurred to me that I am now a thief, an outlaw, a commoner, and a Scotswoman. You and I are now a perfect match.”

He smiled and pulled her close. Then he rolled over, pushing her back onto the bed. “I hope this does not disappoint ye, but I believe my thieving days are over...In truth, ye married a fisherman.”

“I think that fine,” she said, reaching up to cup his cheek. She lost herself in his midnight gaze.

Her heart swelled thinking of the unknown road ahead of her. Once upon a time, she had felt trapped in a cage of sorrow. Her future held naught but despair. But now, her arms were full. She could breathe freely. Her heart knew hope.

She met Jack’s gaze. “I love you,” she said simply.

His eyes were filled with warmth. “I’ve loved ye since the moment I first dried yer tears and soothed ye to sleep in my arms.”

She licked her lips and brought her mouth a breath from his. “I hope you don’t have any aspirations for sleep this night.”

He kissed her long and hard. “Like our life together, this night has just begun.” A playful smile curved his lips. “And it will be long and full of surprises.”

Pulling her beneath him, his lips began to journey over her body. Taking his time, he showed every inch of her the love and passion her soul had always craved.