Chapter 16
He loves me. Flora thought her heart would burst each time she thought about itwhich in the hours since the attack near the Faerie Pool was constantly.
With Gilly and Mary safely ensconced in the castle, Allan had returned with reinforcementsinterrupting their kiss. And while he gathered the bodies of their fallen, Flora had tended to the wound on Lachlans arm. The blade had cut a deep gash in his shoulder that needed stitching, but she cleaned it and wrapped it with a swatch of linen from his ruined shirt until it could be tended to. Although he claimed it did not pain him, Flora had the distinct feeling that he was enjoying her fussing over him. Always grateful for an excuse to touch him, she made good use of the opportunity to do so.
Indeed, after the terror of the attack, she didnt want to let go of him. Perhaps he sensed her need for the strength of his presence beside her, because he offered to have her ride with him on the return journey to the castle. An offer she willingly accepted. As she basked in the glow of her newly discovered feelings and the comforting embrace of the man she loved, the horror of the attack faded under the healing power of joy.
It seemed a sin to be so happy.
Even now, as she stood in her tower room preparing for bed, it didnt seem possible that such fortune had found her. That which had eluded her mother for a lifetime, Flora had found in the most unexpected placein the arms of a Highland chief whod abducted her. It was ironic how things turned out. The thought that right now were it not for Lachlan she could be married to Lord Murray was nearly inconceivable. To think what she might never have known. The wonder, the magic of knowing that she loved and that love was returned.
She would have settled for a loveless marriage because she never thought shed be able to find a man who could look beyond the prize and want her for herself. Shed been fighting for so long to protect herself from her mothers unhappiness that shed erected barriers around her heart, barriers that had taken a formidable man like Lachlan to topple. But now that shed let go of her fears, she gave herself to him completely.
Flora never did anything by half, and in this it was no different.
Taking one last glance in the looking glass, she adjusted the tie of her silk dressing gown and blew out the candle.
Lachlan stood before the smoldering fire in his bedchamber, strangely restless. He took a long drink of cuirm, hoping to ease the burning in his shoulder and the burgeoning sense of unease stirring inside him. Unease that had started the moment theyd returned to the castle and hed been forced to release her. Only when he held her in the protective enclosure of his embrace did he feel that nothing could come between them.
Damn. He paced across the room, trying to burn off some of this restless energy. Like the calm before the storm, his entire body felt on edge. He usually felt like this after battle, as though he needed a woman. He did, but it had nothing to do with the fighting earlier and everything to do with Flora.
All he could think about was taking her in his arms and making love to her. The only thing that kept him from going to her tonight was the knowledge that she needed to rest after the shock of witnessing her first battlehe could see by her reaction to the killing that it was so. He had to remind himself that in a few days she would be his forever.
The kiss today had left him wanting. A mere morsel for a man who was starving. Part of him just wanted to take her, to lay claim, and to seal the promise of their love in the most basic way. But another part of him, the honorable part, knew that he should wait until she knew the whole story.
The realization that their newly discovered love would soon be tested only contributed to his unease. Would knowing about the bargain hed made with her cousin Argyll crush their love before it had a chance to bloom, or would it be strong enough to weather the storm? He did not delude himself: There was a storm brewing, and it would be a torrential one.
Now that hed recognized his own feelings for what they were, he knew exactly what he had to loseeverything.
That realization had prompted him to take a dangerous gamble. In return for marrying Flora, Argyll had promised to help restore his castle and secure the release of his brother, John, from Blackness Prison. With Rorys fighting men, he might not need Argyll for the former, and if he could find another way to get John out of Blackness, he wouldnt need him for the latter. Without the bargain, an ulterior motive for marrying Flora would no longer exist.
Upon returning to the castle earlier, hed convened a meeting of his most trusted luchd-taighe guardsmen to discuss not the attack by Hector, but an attempt to free his brother from Blackness Castlethe impenetrable royal stronghold that served as the kings prison. A possibility that had seemed untenable until hed received an interesting piece of information.
John was being held in the sea toweraptly named, as it was built on the edge of the Firth of Forth. Although his brother was being held in the tower apartmentsa privilege afforded prisoners of noble bloodthe doors were steel and the staircases so narrow as to be virtually inaccessible.
The windows, however, were not.
If they could smuggle in some rope, John might be able to scale the tower wall and drop to a waiting birlinn. The problem had been how to get him the rope. Although they had a man positioned inside the castle, as a mere stable hand he would never make it past the tower guards.
His plan had been at a standstill until the last report, when a small but significant piece of information caught his attention. The prisoners were sometimes visited by a local minister.
It was just what he needed.
He had the final piece of his plan. A handful of men would detain the minister and borrow his vestments. One of the men would then pose as the minister and smuggle in the rope hidden under his robe. When night fell, John could make his escape.
They had surprise working in their favor. Sir James Sandilands, the keeper of the castle, wouldnt be expecting a rescue attempt. For good reason, not many would be so boldor foolhardy.
The most difficult part was deciding who should go. Lachlan had initially planned to go himself, but his guardsmen had argued against it. And as much as he hated it, he knew they were right. As chief, he could not risk capturehis clan would be left unprotected and ripe for pillage by Hector. Allan would go in his stead, and Hugh, one of Lachlans older warriors, would pose as the minister.
If something went wrong and he needed to rely on Argylls influence with the king to secure his brothers release, Lachlan figured the news of the attempt would not reach either Argyll or the king in time for either to change his mind.
But now that his plan was in motion, it weighed on him. Though it was relatively straightforward, it was fraught with risk. Risk he would not take if he werent looking for any way out of his bargain with Argyll.
The alternative had become untenable.
The knock barely registered. His back was to the door as he was still gazing out the window to the darkened sea. Knowing that it would be Morag checking to make sure he had what he needed, he bade her enter.
Bring me another flagon of cuirm, and then that will be all for the evening.
Not yet married and already you are ordering me about? I hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.
At the sound of her voice, he tensed, his already frayed nerves flared.
He turned, fists clenched at his side, steeling himself against the shock of seeing the object of his desire materialize as if out of a dream. But no fantasy could have prepared him for seeing the woman he loved clad only in an ivory silk dressing gown, her long golden hair tumbling in heavy waves around her shoulders, her tiny feet bare. Bloody hell, what was she trying to do, torture him?
What are you doing here? His voice came out rougher than hed intended. You should be abed.
She moved toward him, the fire illuminating her lush figure so that he could see
His heart stopped, and everything went perfectly still. Everything. God help him, he could see everything. She was naked under the thin swath of silk. Blood surged through his veins as his body went rigidas every part of him went rigid.
I couldnt sleep, she said. Andshe glanced pointedly at the half-empty cupit seems neither could you.
What are you doing here, Flora?
She kept moving toward him, hips swaying seductively, until she stood right in front of him. Close enough for her sweet feminine scent to flood his senses and make him crazed with desire.
I would hope that was obvious.
His heart pounded in his chest. It was, damn it, it was. She was giving herself to himand God, how he wanted her.
She slipped her hands around his neck and pressed her body against his bare chest. The softness of the silk, her breasts crushed against himheat, all he could think about was heat. The sensation was so intense, he nearly groaned. Hell, why hadnt he put on a shirt? Because his arm hurt. But the only pain he felt right now was the agony of restraint. I thought since we will be married in a few days that you might want to wait until we are man and wife, he said, fighting to hold on to his good intentions.
A tiny furrow appeared between her brows. But it takes two weeks to proclaim the banns.
Ive written to your cousin about dispensing with banns. They would pay a fine instead at the time of recording for the irregular marriage.
She arched a brow, clearly amused. That was fast.
He shrugged, masking the stab of guilt. I didnt want to give you a chance to change your mind. And if his plan didnt work, he wouldnt wait another day to free his brother from the hellhole of Blackness Prison and his people from Duarts suffering. To that end, he added, Ive written Rory as well.
She smiled, nestling against him, the hard press of her nipples an erotic tease. Im flattered, but there is no reason to rush. I wont change my mind. Though Im sure my brother and cousin will be so eager to see me wed they will do whatever is necessary to ensure it is done quickly. Im afraid my cousin has been rather annoyed with me lately.
With good reason, Id wager.
A naughty smile played upon her lips. Perhaps. Her nose crinkled adorably. You dont think there will be any problem in securing their agreement, do you?
The irony of her question was not lost on himit was all but decided. I was very persuasive. They will have no objection. Argyll would see that Rory agreed; there was no reason for him not to.
She gazed up at him with all the trust in the world. He had to look away.
I know how persuasive you can be. Her hand caressed the muscle of his uninjured arm, sending heat rippling through him. Did you tell them
He knew what she was thinking. That she was no longer a virgin. Not unless it is necessary.
She nodded, relieved, and continued her stroking. Touching him. Her hands skimming over his body like the softest feather. A feather that singed a fiery path wherever she went.
But surely we will need more time to prepare for the celebration? she asked.
He could barely think; his senses were overwhelmed with the scent, the feel, and the touch of her. I wont wait a moment longer than necessary to make you my wife. Id do it today if it were possible. As it is not, we will be married on Sunday. Four days hence. He could wait four damn days.
Her hand slid over his stomach and dipped. Or maybe not.
Hmm. It seems a long time to wait. Her fingers traced the taut muscles, skimming dangerously close to his erection. He couldnt breathe. For no real reason.
Was there a reason? None he could think of right now. She had him so damn aroused, lust was doing his thinking. All he could think about was making love to her until they collapsed in an exhausted heap. Until he bound her to him so that she could never deny their feelings. Maybe making love again would help.
She gazed up at him, her expression suddenly uncertain. He knew she was confused by his apparent reluctance when hed been doing everything in his power to seduce her the past few days. Hell, he was confused by it, too.
You meant what you said, didnt you?
He smoothed the lines of worry between her brows with the soft press of his lips. Aye, lass. I meant it. That was what was making this so difficult.
You love me?
With all my heart.
Her eyes sparked. Then show me.
He would, damn it. It was a challenge he could not resist. Lachlan wasnt a man used to spouting pretty words to express his emotionsand even if he were, there were no words for what he was feeling right now. When he looked at her, he felt as if hed been given the greatest prize in the kingdomher love. She made him feel invincible. He wanted to tell her what he was feeling, but he didnt know where to begin. Words were not his way, but he could show her.
He would make love to her until she could never doubt it.
She was his.
He slid his hand behind her neck, savoring the warmth and the heavy drape of her silky soft hair, and brought her mouth to his in a hungry kissa kiss that had been too long denied. There was nothing poignant or teasing about this kiss; this time he took her with a savageness that only hinted at the raging passion burning inside him. Passion that was part abstinence, part fear, part frustration, and all desire.
He groaned against her mouth, savoring the exquisite softness of her lips and skin, the subtle fragrance that surrounded her, the sweet taste of herGod, it had been too long. He kissed her harder, clasping her against him as his tongue delved deep into the honey recesses of her mouth. She opened against him, taking him deeper, returning the thrust of his tongue with her ownher response every bit as carnal as his. The little sounds of pleasure escaping from her lips urged him on. Her body seemed molded to his, every curve, every crevice, dissolving all that came between them.
He kissed her mouth, her chin, her neck, savoring the delicious taste of her skin. But it wasnt enoughhe wanted her naked on his bed so he could devour every luscious inch of her.
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her the few steps to his bed, laying her down gently. Then, slowly, he slid off her robe, stopping her when she tried to pull a sheet over herself.
No. Let me look at you. He wanted to hold on to this moment forever. To remember exactly how she looked lying on his bed, ready for him to take her. She was achingly beautifulher blond hair shimmering in the candlelight, her flawless ivory skin as smooth as alabaster, her delicate, heart-shaped face dominated by those luminous blue eyes.
He slipped his fingers through the silk of her hair fanned out behind her head on the fluffy feather pillow and then traced her swollen lips with his thumb. His gaze moved down the length of her body, and a swift kick of lust hit him hard. Her body was incredible. Built for a mans pleasure with her lush round breasts, the pale nearly transparent skin tipped by nipples the mouthwatering pink of ripe berries. Unable to resist, he leaned over and took one luscious tip in his mouth, rolling it gently between his teeth. She moaned with pleasure, and he forced himself to release her, not yet done with his study.
Her stomach was flat and her hips softly curved. He slipped his hand around her waist, almost spanning her. And that bottomHe moved his hands around to cup her. Hed been pressed against that soft bottom too many times this past week, he knew exactly how she felt against him. Later, he would appease her curiosity and show her exactly how it worked. How he could fill her from behind.
Her legs. Damn, her legs went on forever. Long and lean, with perfectly sculpted calves. Even her feet were small and delicately arched, with adorable pink toes.
Hed seen many naked women in his life, but none had ever affected him so. It wasnt just her beauty that overwhelmed him, or the lust he felt for her, it was something more fundamental. Something that went to the very core of him and filled his chest with an incredible warmth. Something he hadnt even known he was looking for, but now that hed found it, he couldnt imagine being without. Losing her would be like cutting himself in half. How had it happened so damn fast without his realizing it?
Lachlan
He saw the embarrassment flooding her face pink. Her natural spirit and confidence sometimes made him forget just how truly innocent she was. Youre so beautiful. It gives me pleasure to look at you.
Her gaze slid over his naked chest and down his stomach to the heavy bulge in his trews. I can see that.
He smiled. Youre a bold lass.
She returned his smile. Only with you.
A fierce wave of possessiveness swept over him. The enormity of what shed given him hit him hard.
You humble me, mo ghradh. My love.
She reached up and tucked a lock of his hair behind his ear; the happiness sparkling in her eyes made his chest ache.
Im so happy. I love you so much. I cant believe that you feel the same.
Never doubt it, he said fiercely. No matter what happens, Flora, never doubt my feelings for you.
The vehemence of his voice startled her; he saw the sudden flash of uncertainty in her gaze. What could possibly happen?
He cursed his uncharacteristic display of emotion. Nothing, he assured her, and started to unfasten his trews. But after tonight, I promise you will never doubt my love for you again.
Flora shuddered with anticipation. The sensual promise in his voice set her blood aflame. She had no doubt he meant every word.
But it was his eyes that touched her heart. No man had ever looked at her with such all-consuming intensitywith raw hunger, possessiveness, and reverence all at the same time. His eyes caressed her nakedness, making her feel speciallovedas if she were the most beautiful, most precious woman in the world.
When shed first entered his room, shed felt a moment of uncertainty, sensing his reluctance. It was really quite sweet, his wanting to wait until they were wed. She smiled. Who would have thought her wild Highlander would be beset by sudden propriety?
But she didnt want to wait until they were married. She couldnt wait a moment longer. His reverent touch and devouring gaze had made every inch of her tingle with need. The shattering sensations hed awakened in her the last time teased the edges of her memory but were still too new to be fully recalled. She felt that strange restlessness building inside her, the powerful urgency. She ached for his mouth, his hands, his fullness inside her. For the fulfillment of his promise.
His naked chest gleamed like polished bronze in the candlelight. The rock-hard muscles of his arms and stomach were so clearly defined, they could have been chipped from slate. She would never cease to be impressed by his size and strength. Noticing the fresh bandage, she frowned.
Hed started to unfasten his trews, but she grabbed his wrist, stopping him, realizing there might have been another reason for his reluctance tonight. Your arm. It is not bothering you?
Its fine.
You had it stitched?
He nodded. The healer tended to it after the evening meal.
Oh. The healer. He meant Seonaid. She bit her lip, knowing she was being ridiculous but unable to resist the surge of jealousy that his leman had touched him and admired the same chest she did. He might claim to love her, but hed never made any promises of fidelity. Nor would such an arrangement be expected, except that she found she didvery much so. The thought of him with another woman tore her heart out. She vowed to do everything she could to ensure he never wanted anyone else but her. But how?
Why the frown, my sweet?
She shook her head. Its nothing. She released her hold around his wrist, encouraging him to continue.
He laughed and kissed the frown from her mouth. Jealous, Flora? You have no reason.
Im not jealous.
He smiled, the familiar handsome features devilishly sharp and angled in the shadows.
Her eyes narrowed, not appreciating his expression. Its not the least amusing. How would you like it if I were alone in a bedchamber with a man with whom Id shared intimacies? It gave her no small amount of pleasure to see his eyes turn black.
Id kill him. And since I am the only man you shall ever be intimate with, the issue shant arise.
And does the same hold true for you, my laird? Youll find I wont be a very accommodating wife.
It took him a moment to get her meaning, and then he chuckled. Lass, your fears are unfounded. When I make a vow, I keep it.
She stilled, not daring to hope. You will not take a leman?
He held her gaze. I would never dishonor you.
Flora didnt think she could be happier, but she was wrong. At that moment, it felt as if the world were at her feet. Forgetting her state of undress, she leaned up and threw her arms around his neck.
The shock that coursed through her was as powerful as lightning. The heat of his skin drove all other thoughts from her mind but the wicked sensation of her bare breasts pressed against the solid strength of his naked chest.
She moaned and snuggled against him, wanting to dissolve into him, loving the delicious friction of rubbing against his smooth, warm skin.
His mouth was on hers again, hot and demanding. She opened against his determined onslaught, taking him deeper and deeper. She splayed her hands against the taut skin of his back, digging in her fingers as the kiss intensified. An inexplicable urgency rose up inside her.
His hands covered her, cupping her breasts, squeezing as his tongue circled and thrust in her mouth. The sensual rhythm sent shards of white hot pleasure shooting through her body. She felt her body dampen as desire spread between her legs.
He released her mouth and slowly kissed his way down to her chest. Taking his own sweet time, drawing out every sensation as his lips and tongue blazed a path across her fevered skin. His mouth was so warm and the night air so cool, her skin tingled in his wake. He kissed her ear, her neck, the hollow at her throat, and finally he dipped between her breasts, licking and nuzzling with the gentle scrape of his beard as he teased her mercilessly with the deft stroke of his tonguecoming achingly close to the sensitive tip, but never close enough.
He was killing her. Her nipples were so tight that they hurt, straining for the pleasure of his mouth. He circled the taut peaks with his tongue, and the warmth of his breath blowing across her chest made her shiver. Finally, when she didnt think she could take it a minute longer, he took her in his mouth and sucked. She moaned, arching against him. The bolt of pleasure that went through her seemed to link his mouth to her heart. She plunged her fingers through the soft wave of his hair, pulling him closer. He sucked her until she writhed against him. Until she felt the place between her legs start to quiver.
She experienced a moment of disappointment when he released her, his mouth sliding down the length of her belly. But then she remembered what hed done to her last time. How hed kissed her in the most intimate of places.
Perhaps, knowing what he intended, she should object. Surely such a kiss was wicked? But she found herself unable to fight the virulent demands of her body. Demands made all the more pressing as he sank lower and lower, until his head rested between her legs.
He kissed the top of her thigh, and she shuddered. His finger swept her, as if testing her readiness. Shed never been more primed for anything. She was wet and hot and aching for the soothing press of his mouth. It was all she could think about. How it felt to have him kiss her, slide his tongue inside her, and suck. Desire pooled low in her belly with a fiery intensity that would not be denied. His hands slid around to grip her hips, lifting her to his mouth.
She couldnt wait. Her body wept for his touch.
Their eyes met as his tongue swept over her. The shock made her cry out as intense bolts of pleasure racked her with tremors. He licked her again, pressing a little harder against the now frantic pulse. God, it felt amazing. So warm and hot and deliciously erotic. She melted as a heavy warmth descended over her.
And then he was sucking her, slipping his tongue deep inside her until she thought she would die from the intensity of sensation building inside her. Until the quivering turned into spasms. Until the pressure inside her started to shatter. The force of her release was so intense, she cried out, lifting her hips and dissolving into his mouth. He held her there, wringing every last bit of pleasure from her. Only then did he release her.
Flora was utterly spent, her body warm and heavy, as though she could slip into a deep slumber. But she knew this was only the beginning. Lachlan had risen to his knees and started to unfasten his trews again when she stopped him.
Let me. She needed to touch him and feel the sheer power harnessed under her fingertips.
He lowered his hands. The heat in his eyes made her feel warm and tingly all over again.
Sitting up, she let her eyes roam over the powerfully sculpted chest that loomed before hera warriors body. The wide shoulders, the heavily muscled arms from years of wielding the claymore, the scars that peppered his torso giving proof of the battles hed foughtand won. Never would she have imagined the strength of her attraction to such raw physicality. But there was no denying the primal response to his muscled body and the warm shiver of anticipation running through her. But the powerful physical attraction paled in comparison with the love she felt for the man.
She traced the tight bands of stomach muscle with her fingers and noticed how he tensed as she drew closer to his arousal, straining against the leather confines of his trews. Slowly, teasingly, she began to work the ties, allowing her hands to brush over him, lingering as if she might mold her hand around him. He drew in his breath at her gentle teasing. Now loosened, the trews slid down past his waist, revealing the enormity of his desire.
If she didnt know it for fact, she would have thought it impossible that he could fit inside her. She ran her finger down the long length of him, still amazed by the softness of the skin that covered hard steel. He groaned as she explored him, tracing the ridges and rolling her thumb over the thick head, feeling his impatience. Finally, she circled him with her hand. He tightened as she pumped him long and hard as hed shown her, gradually increasing the speed as she felt the passion inside him build. She could feel the throbbing under her fingertips, the force of his desire straining to break free.
His face was tight and his eyes dark with burgeoning passion. He looked impossibly fierce and not a little dangerous, but she knew it was all for herfrantic desire that could not be chained. She loved that she could give him such pleasure, as he gave her.
Her mouth was level with him, and she caught the inkling of an idea. An idea that she would have been far too embarrassed to voice, but the need to hold on to him, to make it so that he would never think of wanting another woman, gave her courage to be bold.
He was watching her, his jaw clenched in a hard line, as if he knew what she was thinking.
She wet her lips. Could I Somehow the words would not form. She peeked up at him from beneath her lashes and saw the sudden flare in his eyes. Would it
God, yes, he said roughly.
She leaned forward and tentatively placed her mouth on him.
His reaction was instantaneous. The surge of lust that powered through Lachlan was as hot and heavy as molten steel. Never had he felt such an intense rush of pleasure. Pleasure so powerful, it penetrated every part of his body. His knees nearly buckled when she pressed her moist, soft lips on the head of his cock. He jerked against her, the pressure nearly unbearable. The blood roared in his ears, and he could barely think.
It wasnt supposed to be like this. Hed wanted tonight to be about her, so that he could show her the depth of his love for her. But Flora had completely surprised him. Her instincts hinted at a sensuality that, once given flight, would rival his own. Hed sensed she would be adventuresome and spirited, but he hadnt expected it so quickly. The streak of boldness, the fire he admired in her character, just might prove his undoing.
She already had him on his knees.
Her kiss was tentative at first. It took every ounce of his strength not to guide her warm, inviting mouth around him. She let her soft lips trail down the length of him and then drew up her tongue, licking him in one long stroke.
He watched her through half-lidded eyes, her blond hair shimmering in the candlelight, her feathery lashes fluttering against her pale cheek. But it was the sight of that sensuous mouth around him that gripped his heart. She would do this for him. Never had a woman wrought such emotion and pleasure from him.
His body strained against the base demands she was calling with her innocent kiss. All he could think about was being inside the hot cavern of her mouth.
She circled him with her tongue, and a fresh surge of lust hit him hard. He beaded, the pleasure too intense to deny. But nothing prepared him for seeing her tongue flick out to lick the drop that seeped from him.
He groaned and, unable to take it anymore, guided her mouth over him.
His mind went black as he drowned in the chasm of her moist, hot mouth surrounding him, taking him deeper and deeper. He clenched his body, forcing himself not to thrust, giving her time to adjust to the feel of him in her mouth.
The haze cleared when she released him, but then only for a moment.
Tell me what to do.
His heart pounded. His muscles, too long flexed, were feeling the pain of control. It took him a moment to get out the words. Suck me with your mouth the way you do with your hand.
She scooted up a little closer and tentatively placed her hands on his backside, before lowering her mouth around him again.
This time he didnt think, just surrendered completely to the erotic satisfaction she was giving him. The soft pull of her mouth was as close to paradise as he would ever come. He couldnt take it, watching her lips stretch around him, the way she took him so eagerly into her mouth, the way her hands grabbed his buttocks to pull him deeper. The pressure was so intense, the need to explode primal. His entire body went rigid, and knowing he was about to come, he pulled himself from her mouth.
She looked at him with surprise.
I need to be inside you, right now.
Realizing his trews were still bunched around his knees, he pulled them off and tossed them on the ground beside the bed as his body came down hard on top of her.
He kissed her mouth, her neck, her breasts, as his hands slipped between her thighs. He realized how much shed enjoyed pleasuring him; she was wet and hot and ready for him. He placed his hands beside her shoulders and lifted his chest so he could watch her as he entered her.
He rubbed the head of his cock against her, and her legs opened around him. He pushed into her gently, wanting to draw out the moment, savoring the sensation of sliding in inch by inch. She gripped him like a tight glove, enfolding him into her body. He groaned, the wave of pleasure so hot and sweet.
She was everything to him, and he wanted her to feel the significance of their joining. Of how their bodies came together in perfect symmetry. When he was fully inside her, he held her gaze, telling her with his eyes everything he was feeling. Still holding her gaze, he pushed a little deeper and stilled. Her soft moan of pleasure, the pure poignancy of the moment, touched the deepest part of him.
For the first time in his life, he felt complete.
Flora didnt think that she could feel any closer to him than when shed taken him in her mouth, tasting the salty masculine essence of him.
At first, she thought all she would do was kiss him, but the more she kissed him, the more she understood that he was holding something back. She never realized
It had never occurred to her to take him in her mouththere was simply too much of him. But her mouth stretched around him, and knowing the pleasure she was giving him, she relaxed and took him deeper. She still wasnt convinced she was doing it right, but he hadnt seemed to mind. It was the oddest sensation, using her mouth to give pleasure to such an intimate part of his body. But it made her feel closer to him than ever before.
Until he slid inside her, looking deep into her eyes, and touched a part of her she hadnt even known existed.
Hed opened up her heart, revealing everything shed held safely inside. Emotions so intense, it almost scared her. Because she realized what shed done. Shed given him the most important part of herselfnot her body, but her heart. He held power over her that no man had before. A power she trusted him with completely.
But the most wondrous part was that everything she was feeling, she could see mirrored in his eyes. The tender way he touched her and made love to her said in every way that was important how he felt. Lachlan Maclean was not a man who would write sonnets or make heartfelt declarations about his emotions. She suspected those words had not come easily, and she would wager that before today, hed never told another woman hed loved her.
But she knew as he gathered her against him, cradling her in his arms, simply holding himself inside her, that he did.
Lachlan had never known what true desire was. It wasnt simply lust, but wanting someone with every fiber of his being and wanting to prolong the experience for as long as he could. With Flora it wasnt just about finding release, but about savoring every sensation and every moment leading up to it. He stroked her long silky hair, sliding his hand down the curve of her spine to cup the soft flesh of her bottom, lifting her even closer to him.
She moaned, rubbing her lush breasts against his chest, melting against him.
He caught her mouth with his, kissing her slowly and deeply as he began to move inside her with long, languid strokes, stretching every second of connection between them.
Legs entwined, he taught her how to lift her hips to meet his thrust, how to tilt her hips to take him deeper, how to clench her body around him and draw out the pleasure.
God, it felt good. She was so tight and hot around him. He watched where their bodies joined as he slid out of her almost completely, felt the cold emptiness grab him, and then sank right back into her warm, delicious heat.
With each deep thrust he felt her squeeze around him, milking him with her body.
Hed never made love with such deliberateness and purpose. Or with such tenderness. It was incredible. Less wildfire and more a controlled burn, but the results were the sameutter physical devastation.
He saw the wonder in her eyes and heard the startled cry catch in her throat as her climax took hold. Holding her gaze, he plunged inside her full hilt and gave over the most powerful climax of his life. It gripped not just his manhood, but every part of his body. Not in a sudden cataclysmic explosion, but in a slow building eruption that seemed to go on forever, wringing every bit of energy from his body.
But even as the last twinges of passion faded away, he still could not bring himself to leave her. He gathered her in his arms and held her against him, feeling the beat of her heart against his.
They stayed like that for some time, both too moved to speak.
It was Flora who broke the silence. I still cant believe it.
Lachlan groaned, knowing to what she referred. If I have to try to prove my feelings to you again, I might not survive.
Not that. She swiped at him playfully. How could I doubt it after that? I just never thought that something like this would happen to me. Her mouth twisted in a wry smile. I never thought Id meet a man who wanted me just for myself. It was something my mother was never able to find and I thought would never be for me. She brought her hand up to his face and cradled his cheek in her hand. He could see the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. I feel so lucky.
Lachlan felt his chest squeeze, the reality of the situation brought back to him full force. He held her a little tighter in his arms. His plan to rescue his brother would work.