“And you do? After a sennight. Hardly,” Brodie scoffed.
“Keep your voice down,” Laurel snapped. “Both of you. You wanted to marry me within a sennight. Don’t you dare hold your brother to a different standard. Dom may not know Emelie well, but I do. I’ll vouch for her. I’m happy Dom found her and married her.”
“Handfasted,” Brodie corrected. “And Dom will not shirk his duties.”
“I never said I would. I didn’t refuse to meet with you. I just didn’t think this was the time to begin our discussion aboot something I couldn’t give you accurate information aboot, anyway. You’re an arse.”
Dominic didn’t wait for Brodie or Laurel to say anything more. He took the stairs two at a time until he reached the landing, bolting toward Emelie’s door. He knocked once before he burst through the portal. He nearly skidded as he stopped. Emelie stood in front of the window embrasure, her shoulders shaking from crying. Spurred into action once more, Dominic crossed the chamber in five long strides. He attempted to turn Emelie toward him, but she wouldn’t budge. Rather than force her, he wrapped his arms around her. When she didn’t pull away, he eased in between her and the window. She sank against his chest and sobbed.
Emelie regretted every moment of her life from the past three months. She regretted every decision she made, including handfasting with Dominic and coming to Kilchurn. She should have taken her chances with her own family. She even considered the falsehood Blythe suggested she tell about being a widow. But despite the heartache, she couldn’t deny the immediate comfort she drew from Dominic. However, the longer she remained in his arms, the worse she felt. The memory of him leaving her the night before to go God knows where burned in her mind. He said he didn’t have a leman, but she questioned whether he’d told the truth. Whose bed had he sought? She knew he hadn’t gone to his former chamber. She’d knocked on the door that morning. Her knocking brought Laurel out of her chamber.
Emelie stepped back and wiped her eyes. She raised her chin and took a deep breath. She could feel the muscles in her neck straining as she fought to regain control. When she was certain she could speak without bursting into tears again, she nodded at Dominic. “Thank you. I am well now. I overreacted.”
“You did not,” Dominic argued. He hated seeing her shoulder the blame for Brodie’s—and his, if he were honest—insensitive behavior. “He didn’t like her.”
Emelie frowned. “I gathered as much. That must have been awfully hard for you. I can’t imagine how conflicted you must have been.” Emelie tentatively patted Dominic’s chest before pulling her hand away. But he captured it and held it over his heart.
“He disliked her toward the end, only after we learned of her affair with Graham. But aye, there were times when it was difficult to choose between them. Sometimes I made the wrong choice.”
“You picked him,” Emelie surmised, but her brow furrowed when Dominic flinched.
“No. I picked her.” Dominic tucked a stray hair beneath Emelie’s kertch, then thought better of it. He pulled the dreadful thing from her hair. She reached back to catch it, but Dominic flung it onto the bed. “Your hair is too beautiful to cover with that ugly piece of cloth.”
“But I’m married now, or at least handfasted,” Emelie corrected. She’d heard Brodie the entire time she climbed the stairs. She’d prayed the rest of the clan hadn’t. “It would be disrespectful to you and your traditions if I didn’t wear it.”
“Then don’t wear it when we’re together,” Dominic commanded. His authoritative tone made Emelie shy away. When he felt as much as saw Emelie retreat, he brushed the backs of his fingers against her cheeks. “I’ve made a mess of this morning. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I’m frustrated with Brodie, not you. Would you take that walk with me now?”
Emelie shook her head. “I won’t come between you and your brother. See to your other duties. I will find out what Laurel expects of me. If there’s time, we can always go this afternoon.”
“This is the second time you’ve said ‘other duties’ as though I see you as one of them. I never have.”
“That’s not what you said last eve,” Emelie countered.
“When?”
“You said you hadn’t done your duty by me as your wife. You feel obligated to deal with me.”
“That is not what I meant.” Dominic was emphatic, and Emelie wanted to believe him. “I may have a duty to protect you and ensure others respect you. But I do not see you as a duty or an obligation. If I’ve given you the impression that I do, then I’m sorry. I was trying to do right by you and be a good husband.”
Emelie’s heart softened, and she stepped back into Dominic’s arms. This time, as she rested her head against his chest, she found only the comfort she craved. She’d slept poorly all night, tossing and turning, saddened every time she rolled into the empty spot she’d hoped Dominic would fill. She missed sleeping beside him after getting used to it on their journey. Her eyes drooped closed as she listened to Dominic’s heart, and his heat seeped into her. Dominic felt her relax and realized she was nearly asleep. He carried her to the bed, laying her down and covering her with a blanket. He straightened, but she reached out to him with her eyes closed.
“Please don’t go.” Emelie was groggy, but she knew what she was saying. “I didn’t sleep well without you.”
“Em, I don’t want you to fear being here. This is your home.”
Emelie yawned. “Not afraid. Missed you.” She was nearly asleep as she mumbled now, not aware of what she said. Dominic toed off his boots and eased onto the bed beside her. She curled against him, and he didn’t fight the temptation to hold her. She sighed as he slid his arm beneath her neck and drew her closer with the other. It wasn’t long before he was asleep, too.
* * *
Emelie stirred and found a warm cocoon wrapped around her. She didn’t have to open her eyes to know Dominic lay beside her. She sighed with contentment. She felt the soft kisses pressed to her crown just as she realized she draped her arm over his waist. She tilted her head back and looked into his gray eyes. They reminded her of storm clouds just before a torrent of rain. But they mesmerized her rather than making her want to dash for cover. His breath wafted across her face, and his lips parted. She took it as an invitation, even if it wasn’t. She strained her neck and brought their mouths closer. Dominic didn’t hesitate. He cupped her jaw and pressed a passionate kiss to her, as though he was starving. As the kiss deepened, a groan rumbled through Dominic’s chest.
Emelie reveled in the sound Dominic made, her desire and relief matching his. She rolled onto her back, urging Dominic to follow her. He held himself above her on his forearms as the kiss carried on. His hand drifted down to her thigh, and she felt air rather than material. His calloused palm slid to her backside, massaging the lush flesh. He groaned once more, eager to feel the ample globe in his hand. He’d never felt a bottom so soft. He trailed his hand over her hip until his fingers reached the juncture of her thighs.
This canna be dangerous for the bairn. This should be all right. God, how I pray it’s all right. I dinna ken if I can walk away right now without touching her. Ma desire is driving me to madness.
Dominic’s fingers slid along Emelie’s seam, dipping within her entrance when he felt the dew that coated her petals. When her grip on his shoulder tightened, he pressed into her sheath, stroking the silky skin within her. Her legs widened in invitation, but Dominic refused to rush. He stroked her over and over, heightening her arousal as they continued to kiss. Her breath hitched when his thumb brushed against her sensitive bud. He rubbed circles, increasing the pressure by slow increments. Emelie’s hip rocked to meet his rhythm.
Emelie couldn’t believe the sensations Dominic’s touch elicited. It was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Henry had never touched her as Dominic was touching her now. She hadn’t imagined mere fingers could drive her arousal far beyond what she’d felt when she coupled with her former lover. Her sheath ached, a needy burn that grew to near discomfort as she longed for Dominic to lift his plaid and thrust into her. The longer he tortured her with his fingers, the more her belly tightened until a wave of pleasure washed through her. Her sheath felt as if it hummed as the sensations peaked.
