Page 18 of The Highlander’s Virgin Nun (Highlanders’ Feisty Brides #2)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“W elcome,” Caelan declared, opening the door to his bedroom and extending his arm to lead her inside.

Our bedroom .

It was well-appointed, just like her bedroom. A similar bed and dresser, two desks—one identical to hers, she noticed—and two chairs by the window. A bookcase had been brought into the room, empty for now, and she realized it was for her to fill with books from the library. A lovely touch.

“We can have all of yer things brought in in the mornin’. We have done enough for today, and it is only down the hall if ye need anythin’ anyway.”

“Aye, that’s all right,” Rosaline agreed.

Caelan stepped towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He brushed her hair over her shoulder and pressed his lips to her neck, before moving them to her ear.

“I dinnae intend for ye to need anythin’ to change into anyway. Once this beautiful dress is off, ye willnae be needin’ anything else,” he whispered.

Rosaline giggled softly and tilted her head to the side, allowing him more access. “Ye be careful with me beautiful gown now,” she warned with a smile.

“Oh, I will. In fact, let’s just get it out of the way right now.”

Caelan moved his hands to the back of her dress and began to undo the buttons that ran up her spine. He traced the seam up to her shoulders, and then slowly pulled it down her arms, over her waist, hips, and legs, until it dropped to the floor. He offered her his hand, and she took it and stepped out of the gown. Then, he took a step back to admire her beautiful naked body.

She was still very thin from the lack of nourishment at the Abbey, but she had filled out a little after her week of plentiful food at Castle Sinclair.

Rosaline could see her reflection in the tall mirror behind them. Could see the dip of her waist and the curve of her hips.

She watched as Caelan’s eyes drifted slowly and reverently over her. He lingered on her breasts, small but pert, crested by her nipples, dark in color and erect.

“Yer body is magnificent,” he croaked.

“Thank ye,” she replied bashfully.

Caelan could resist no longer—he slid his hands over her round buttocks, up her defined lower back, around her waist, and finally over her breasts. As he kissed her gently, his fingers toyed with her nipples, massaging them.

Rosaline pushed out her chest instinctively, pressing her breasts into his hands. His massaging grew more intense, and she felt the pleasure begin to coil low in her belly.

His hands slid below her buttocks, and he lifted her feet off the floor. Rosaline wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bed, and he laid her down gently on the thick bed linens. From there, he stood in front of her and began to undress.

Caelan undid the buttons of his waistcoat and removed it along with his sporran, boots, and socks. He pulled his white linen shirt over his head, tossing his hair back with the movement, and his strong, chiseled stomach shone in the moonlight filtering through the window. In one slow but entirely smooth motion, he tucked his thumbs under the waistband of his kilt and pushed it down his legs until it fell to the floor.

There he stood, in all his glory.

“Ye are quite magnificent yerself, Me Laird,” Rosaline managed through an almost choked breath.

She had never seen a man’s naked body before. She had always thought that a man’s sex in real life would be daunting, intimidating, but his manhood showed his strength, his ability. She felt an immediate desire to touch it.

“Thank ye very much,” Caelan whispered. He climbed onto the bed, wedged his knee between her legs, and braced his hand by her head. “Wait till ye see what I can do with it.”

Planting one final kiss on her lips, Caelan trailed his lips down her neck, collarbone, breasts, stomach, and hips, enlivening each inch of skin but wasting no time arriving at the main destination.

He spread her legs with his hands and knelt between them. He ever so lightly brushed his finger across her sex, barely touching her, making her body quiver in anticipation.

He teased her for a few more moments, making her shove her hands in her hair in frustration, before he finally licked the tips of his fingers and applied some more pressure.

He pleasured her with his hands, rousing each part of her that she had only recently discovered, sending that familiar warm flow of energy through her as she relaxed into his touch. Then, just as she was reaching the edge, her toes curling into the bedsheets and her hands gripping onto his shoulders, he stopped.

Rosaline threw her head back and laughed. He was toying with her.

“Nae so fast,” he whispered, rising from between her thighs and lying beside her on the bed. “I’m goin’ to tease ye a wee while longer.”

He ran his fingers up and down her skin as if tracing the lines on a map. His movements were so light that they tickled, making her giggle quietly.

Gradually, he stroked her from the tips of her shoulders, down her sternum, her thighs, to her toes. He drew a line back up her other leg, moving inward as he rose, until he once again settled between her legs.

This time, his hand moved faster and harder, rubbing her until she moaned. Her eyes fluttered shut, her breathing grew erratic as she neared her climax, and just then he pulled away once more. She whined, desperate for more.

Now Caelan was hovering over her, his member resting teasingly between her legs. He leaned forward and whispered, “Just tell me if it hurts and I’ll stop.”

Rosaline shook her head, desperate for the climax she had almost reached twice. “Please start.”

Caelan smiled and, leaning over her, guided his member inside her. She instantly felt full, and a breath escaped her as she adjusted to his size. She studied his face and saw his own pleasure there too. His lips parted on a deep exhale of satisfaction. His eyes rolled to the back of his head but then refocused on her, taking her all in.

As she moved her hips slowly back and forth, he ran a hand over her breasts, waist and hips, enjoying her body from the inside and the outside.

Rosaline eventually relaxed, allowing him to take control and pleasure them both.

As his thrusts quickened and became erratic, her body neared the peak again, drawing closer to that release she had been craving. He thrust in and out of her faster and faster, and she watched as his pectorals tightened and his arms bulged and strained under his weight. The muscles in his thighs rippled and contracted as he slammed into her, and his breath came in short groans.

She felt the blood in her veins sing, and her mind went blissfully quiet. Her back arched, and she fisted her hands in the bedsheets as Caelan thrust into her one final time. Their moans rose in the air as they climaxed together.

Rosaline felt that calm elation wash over her as her body sagged into the mattress, spent and satisfied.

Caelan pulled out of her and collapsed beside her.

“Rosaline Moore,” he panted. “What a joy it is to be married to ye.”

They laughed together as they lay in one another’s arms, entirely taxed after a long day and a beautiful evening together.

“I hope that felt good,” Caelan whispered after a while. “It certainly did for me.”

“It was wonderful,” Rosaline assured him, nestling closer.

He pulled the bedcovers over them and blew out the candles beside the bed, shrouding them both in darkness.

Rosaline felt sleep drag her under as her body went lax, and she drifted into dreams of what her life would be like now that she was a laird’s wife.

* * *

When Rosaline awoke the next morning, she was disappointed to find no Caelan in her bed. The spot where he had been was no longer warm and inviting, but empty.

She sat up and looked around for him but only found a note on the bedside table.

Had to meet with Jayden early this morning. Rest, and I will find you later.

C.

Rosaline rose slowly, patting down her mussed hair and covering herself with the bed linens. Even alone, the concept of being naked had been made shameful in her mind after her time at the convent. It crossed her mind that she would have to return to her old room to dress, but getting caught in her wedding dress despite the short dash would be shameful.

Just as her thoughts began spiraling, her eyes landed on a sliver of blue fabric peeking from the door of Caelan’s wardrobe. She rose to investigate. As she opened the door, she found one of the dresses she had designed with Mrs. Milloy hanging carefully right in the center. It was beautiful.

Rosaline dressed herself, feeling the fabric closer to her skin than in Alexandra’s dresses, caressing her body more suitably. The sleeves did not fall down her arms, and the skirts did not trail behind her. It was the perfect fit.

She admired her new gown in the mirror and brushed out the intricate curls Alexandra had styled the previous day.

She placed the back of her hand on her cheek. Her skin glowed, and her complexion was smooth. Was this the look of a laird’s wife? Would people see her differently now? Treat her differently? Would they expect instructions from her or discipline?

She would simply have to step out of her room and see for herself.

Rosaline descended the stairs and walked out into the courtyard. The sun shone on the flowers and green grass, and many of the villagers wandered through the gardens, chatting. Those she had conversed with in the past smiled and nodded to her in greeting, no differently than they had done before. A few greeted her as Lady Sinclair, which at first she hesitated to reply to, before recognizing it as her new title. Otherwise, no one treated her any differently.

“Ah, Rosaline,” she heard as someone placed a hand on her shoulder from behind. “I see I was correct.”

Michaela looked all-knowing as ever, quite pleased with herself.

“Good mornin’, Michaela. How are ye?”

“Better now. The future of our clan has finally been secured.”

Rosaline shook her head, looking confused. “Has there been news?”

“‘Tis yer news to announce, dear,” Michaela said, taking Rosaline’s hand in her own.

“Whatever do ye mean, Michaela? I’m sorry, but I’m nae followin’.”

“Ye are with child, me dear.”

Michaela placed a kiss on Rosaline’s hand, flashed her a smile, and then turned and walked away if she had not just changed her life forever.

Rosaline stumbled backward a little, only just catching herself on a small windowsill on the curved staircase wall. She leaned back and tried to catch her breath. She was entirely in shock.

Just then, a large figure descended the stairs, forcing her to school her features and tuck her body in to allow them to pass.

“Pardon me, lass,” the voice boomed.

Rosaline’s eyes snapped up upon hearing that voice.

Caelan’s uncle.

She remembered Caelan saying that his uncle did not visit the castle much, and Rosaline wondered what business he could have upstairs in the bedrooms. But perhaps he had an old room here from when he used to spend more time with the family.

The thought quickly left her mind as she placed a hand on her belly, trying to determine the truth of Michaela’s words.

How could her life have taken such a drastic turn in just a matter of days?