Piper tangledher fingers in his dark hair, tugging hard enough to sting. He answered by grinding his hips, letting her feel the heavy ridge straining beneath his tartan.
One broad handslid to the small of her back, arching her into him; the other roamed upward, its knuckles grazing the underside of her breast through layers of wool and linen until her nipple pearled traitorously.
Elijah tore from the kiss,panting, eyes black with intent.“Ye’re mine.”
The words vibratedagainst her throat as he bent to nip the tender curve where shoulder met neck. Teeth scraped, thensoothed with a swirl of his tongue; each small bite sent sparks skittering across her skin.
She feltthe edge of possession in every tug of his mouth, each mark blooming into a brand she’d wear for days. Her fingers curled against his shoulders, nails denting hard muscle through linen, and he rewarded the tiny pain with a growl that made her stomach clench.
His hands droppedto her laces. Deft tugs loosened the gown; the neckline sagged, exposing the upper swell of her breasts pushed high by stays. Breath hissed between his teeth.
“Beautiful.”The reverent murmur contrasted with the hunger in his eyes as he peeled the fabric lower.
Her nipples,already tight, beaded harder in the sweep of cool air. Rather than unhooking the corset, he bent, his mouth fastening over one cloth-covered peak, sucking damp heat through the weave until she whimpered.
She felther thighs go wet. She rolled her hips instinctively, seeking friction, and felt his answering throb.
“I’m goin’to taste every bit of ye,” he promised, his lips finding her ankle. “Goin’ to make ye mine in every way there is.”
His mouth movedup her leg, kissing and nipping. Piper’s hands fisted in the furs beneath her, her breath coming faster.
When he reached her thighs,when his breath ghosted over her most intimate place, Piper let out a sound that was half-gasp, half-moan.
“Elijah… Please…”
“Please, what?”His eyes met hers, dark with desire. “Tell me what ye want, wife.”
“I want ye.All of ye. Please.”
“Then ye’ll have me,”Elijah promised. “All of me. Forever.”
“Elijah…”The name left her on a tremor when he bit gently, then soothed the sting with a flick of tongue. Pride warred with impulse; nervousness won for a heartbeat.“I’ve… I’ve never done this.”
He stilled,his lips hovering above the damp circle his mouth had left. He raised his head and caught her gaze, and the tender reverence she found there steadied her more than any promise.“Then we’ll go slow, lass. Until ye beg me nae to.”
The roguish quirkof his mouth stole the last of her fear, replacing it with curiosity blazing bright.
His palms skimmeddown her ribs to gather fistfuls of skirt. Wool and linen whispered upward, cool air kissing her calves, her knees, the soft skin above her stockings.
When he bunchedthe fabric at her waist, she felt the quick tug of his belt; his plaid slumped away, puddling around booted feet. Sprung free, his manhood jutted thick and ruddy, a bead of moisture glistening at the slit.
Piper’s breath caught,equal parts intimidation and fascination. He gave her no time to doubt: hands beneath her thighs, lifting, guiding her legs around his hips until her slippers dangled an inch above the rushes.
“Hold tight, me lady.”
The rough ordervibrated through her bones as he pinned her to the wall with his weight.
Flesh met flesh;his manhood nudged her soaked folds, sliding through slickness, once, twice, spreading her moisture. He paused, crown kissing her entrance, muscles quivering with restraint.
“Ready?”A single syllable, wielded with tenderness.
Piper swallowed,then nodded, locking her ankles at the small of his back. He pressed forward. The stretch burned with exquisite intensity as her body bloomed open around unfamiliar girth.
“Ahh…”She dug her nails into his nape, grounding herself as inch by slow inch he forged deeper, parting untried walls,until he was seated to the hilt. Fullness stole her breath; pulse fluttered around the invading thickness.
Elijah’s foreheadrested against hers; his breath sawed in and out.“Are ye all right?”
She shifted experimentally,pleasure eclipsing ache.“More,”she whispered, her voice thin with wonder.
