Page 36 of Transporting a Ruthless Highlander

He laughed. “No, we will not,” he agreed, “but we are married now, and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Almost the whole village witnessed it, and they were so happy for us! Anyway, neither of us has ever cared what anyone thought. Is that not true? Who else would unintentionally be married in the street, just out of his sickbed with a bandage on his head?”

She giggled, looking into his warm, brown eyes. “Ye are right, Struan, but I dinnae want tae be wi’ anyone else anyway. I want tae stay here wi’ ye.” Then another idea occurred to her. “Dae ye have any experience o’ bein’ a first mate?”

He laughed, then to humor her, he said, “No. Why?”

“Oh, just because I will need one,” she replied airily. “Did I no’ tell ye I am goin’ tae sea again?”

“Not without me!” Struan’s voice was stern, but his eyes were twinkling.

“And I will be the captain an’ give the orders,” she went on. “Which must be obeyed.”

“And if they are not?” He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

“Withdrawal o’ privileges,” she stated, running her forefinger down his chest.

“Go on then, Captain,” Struan sighed. “Tell me what to do.”

“Lie down here an’ hold me all day an’ all night.”

Struan ran his hand down her side, then cupped her breast, pausing to massage her nipple with his thumb. “Aye, aye, Captain,” he laughed.

Gavina giggled. “What a pair we are, M’Laird!” Then she nodded reluctantly and sighed. “Just a few more minutes,” she begged.

“If I lie here any longer, I may never stand up,” Struan said painfully. He was still stiff from his injuries. He rose from the bed then reached down to grasp her hands to pull her with him, but the moment their flesh touched, Gavina was lost. It was unbearable to be so near her husband and not be able to respond to him in the way she wanted to.

Struan pulled her close against him. “I am feeling a little too sore to move at the moment.” His voice was regretful, but his eyes twinkled. He raised his eyebrows for her approval.

“Ohhh…” Gavina put her hand to her forehead, groaning in mock pain. “I am feelin’ a bit faint too.”

“I think I know a cure for that,” Struan said wickedly. “Lie back on the bed, milady.”

“What is this cure called?” Gavina narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion.

“I have always called it ‘making love,’ milady,” he replied mischievously.

“Show me,” Gavina ordered, grinning wickedly.

“With the greatest of pleasure,” Struan said as he kissed her.