His fingers brushed against hers, sending a shiver up her spine, and she felt warmth pooling in her stomach.
"Maisie," he whispered, his voice low and rough with emotion, "ye have nay idea how long I've wanted this, how long I've needed ye near."
She met his eyes, her own lips parting as her pulse quickened, and the air between them seemed to sizzle with unspoken longing.
Caiden's hand slid to the small of her back, pulling her closer until she felt the steady press of his chest against hers.
Maisie's hands trembled as Caiden gently helped her out of her wedding dress, the soft fabric slipping past her shoulders. Her chest fluttered, a mix of nerves and excitement coursing through her as she realized just how close they were, how much she trusted him in this private moment. She no longer felt like a lanky tall girl, but a desired woman.
He took off his clothing and stood before her naked.
There was a strength in him that made her feel protected, a warmth that made her heart soar, and a quiet vulnerability that made her ache to be near him. In that instant, Maisie realized she had never admired anyone more, not just for his body, but for the man he was: strong, fearless, and breathtakingly hers.
Maisie trembled, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders, feeling the strength beneath his touch, and a flutter of excitement stirred in her heart.
"Caiden," she breathed, her voice catching, "I've missed ye… more than I can say."
He tilted his head, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his thumb tracing her cheek as his gaze held hers with a fierce intensity.
She leaned into him, their foreheads touching as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them.
"Ye make me feel alive, Maisie," he murmured, his lips hovering near hers, "every moment away from ye… it's agony."
She pressed her hands to his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. Then her hands moved over every inch of him. She felt the strength in his arms, and a thrill ran through her at how his hardened abdomen felt like steel.
"I… I feel the same, Caiden," she admitted, her breath mingling with his, "as if nothin' else matters but us."
She felt him trace her stomach with gentle fingers, going lower and lower until his hand was on her rosebud, massaging it.
Maisie felt herself melt under the tenderness of his touch, her knees weak with the pull of desire that wasn't about lust, but closeness and trust.
"Maisie, I daenae ken what I'd do if I lost ye again. I need ye by me side, always," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
She leaned forward, letting her hands roam his chest, feeling the warmth and whispered, "Ye have me, Caiden. Always."
He captured one of her hands in his, pressing it against his heart, and she could feel the fierce rhythm of his emotions matching her own.
Then he moved his fingers faster on her mound, and she was lost in the intimacy of the moment, feeling every stroke.
"Ye're mine, Maisie," Caiden murmured, his lips brushing the shell of her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
She gasped softly, clutching him closer, feeling the pulse of desire growing between her thighs.
"And ye're mine, Caiden," she whispered back, her lips brushing against his jaw, tasting the quiet fire between them, "forever." She felt herself tremble with the tension of release. "Oh, husband," she moaned.
"I love to hear yer sounds," he groaned as he picked her up and laid her on the bed.
"I want ye inside of me, Laird McGibb," she whispered softly.
"Then ye shall have that wish," he said. He positioned himself between her thighs.
Her hands rested against his face, tracing the line of his jaw and the curve of his neck, memorizing him with the tenderness of her touch.
She felt the tip of his hard staff press against her. She opened her thighs wider. He locked his lips onto hers and pushed. She felt him glide inside of her, slowly, with tenderness and care for her virginity.
"That feels so good, Caiden," she moaned.
"'Tis like heaven," he groaned.
