His hands were already moving,untying the laces of her dress with practiced efficiency. The fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her in just her shift, the same one she'd worn when he'd first taken her, now stained with dirt and blood and fear.
"Off,"Ewan commanded, his voice rough. "Take it off, lass. I want to see ye."
Maia's handstrembled as she reached for the hem of her shift. This was it. The moment she'd been fantasizing about since that first kiss at the inn, since the foreplay in the mountains.
The momentwhen Ewan would finally see all of her—every curve, every soft place, every part of her that her uncle had taught her to be ashamed of.
"I'm nae—"she started, her voice wavering. "I'm nae like Laura. I'm nae slender or graceful."
"Stop."Ewan's hand caught hers, stilling her movement. "Daenae compare yerself to her. Daenae compare yerself to anyone. Ye're perfect exactly as ye are, Maia. Every curve, every soft place, every inch of ye is perfect. Do ye understand?"
Tears prickedat Maia's eyes. "I want to believe that."
"Then let me show ye."Ewan's voice softened. "Let me worship every part of ye until ye believe it too."
Maia nodded,unable to speak past the lump in her throat. She pulled the shift over her head and let it drop, standing before him completely bare for the first time.
Ewan's breath caught.
His eyes movedover her slowly, taking in every detail—her full breasts, her rounded belly, her thick thighs, her wide hips. And in his gaze, Maia saw no disgust, no disappointment. Only hunger. Only desire. Only love.
"Bonnie,"he breathed. "So bloody bonnie I can barely stand it."
Then he was on her,his mouth claiming hers as his hands explored every curve he'd only been able to imagine before.
He cupped her breasts,thumbs brushing over her nipples until they peaked and ached. His palms smoothed down her sides, gripping her hips, pulling her against him.
"Bed,"Ewan growled against her mouth. "Now."
Maia lethim guide her backward until her legs hit the edge of the mattress. She sat, then scooted backward, her heart racing as Ewan stood before her and began removing his own clothes.
His shirt came off first,revealing the broad chest and muscled arms she'd only caught glimpses of before. Then his boots, his breeches, until he stood before her as bare as she was.
Maia's breath caught.He was magnificent. All hard planes and taut muscle, scars scattered across his skin telling stories of battles fought and won. And his manhood?—
She felt her cheeks heat,but she couldn't look away from the evidence of his desire, thick and hard and obviously wanting her.
"Nervous?"Ewan asked, climbing onto the bed and prowling toward her like a predator stalking prey.
"A bit,"Maia admitted. "I've never done this. I daenae ken what to do."
"I'll teach ye."Ewan settled over her, his weight pressing her into the mattress in a way that should have felt confining but instead felt safe. Protected. "I'll teach ye everythin', lass. And I'll make it good for ye. I promise."
Then his mouthwas on her breast, and Maia's thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind. His tongue circled her nipple, his teeth grazing gently, and she arched into him with a moan she couldn't suppress.
"That's it,"Ewan murmured against her skin. "Let me hear ye, lass. Let me ken what ye like."
His hand moved lower,sliding between her thighs, and Maia gasped as his fingers found the place where she ached most. He stroked gently, exploring, learning what made her gasp and what made her moan.
"So wet for me,"he growled, and there was satisfaction in his voice. "So ready. Do ye want me, Maia? Want me inside ye?"
"Yes."The word came out as a whimper. "Yes, please, Ewan, I need ye."
"I ken what ye need."He shifted, positioning himself between her thighs. "This might hurt a bit at first, lass. But I promise it'll get better. I promise I'll make it good."
Maia nodded,trusting him, and then he was pressing forward. Slowly. Carefully. Giving her body time to adjust to the intrusion.
There was pain—asharp sting that made her gasp—but Ewan stilled immediately, his forehead pressed to hers.
