“I’m not.”
“Good.” He slowly pressed against her and she felt a jolt of pleasure. “Because you’re the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen.”
Her eyes opened. When they met his, she saw he spoke the truth.
“Really?”
“Aye,” he said quietly. “And if I were a better man, I’d let you get some rest.”
She stared at him.
“What do you mean to do instead?” she asked, barely above a whisper, as a single finger stroked against the bud of her.
She shivered.
“I’d like to tease you into saying my name again,” he murmured, his mouth close to hers as he spoke. “But I shouldn’t. You’ve had too much for one night. And against a tree, no less.”
“I didn’t mind,” she said quickly, which seemed to please him even though he gave her a guilty glimpse, like a puppy who had ruined a favorite slipper.
“I shouldn’t have done that. Someone might have interrupted us. But I couldn’t help myself,” he said as he pulled away from her.
“Oh.”
He shifted to the side of the table and began to peel off his shirt. Hope’s mouth was oddly dry as she watched the muscles of his long back ripple as he lifted his arms. His hands came to his hip and he undid the pin that held his kilt together. Without warning, it fell away and Hope’s eyes went wide at the sight of his taut backside.
His entire body was a mass of tightly bound muscles, shaped into curves and divots that looked all the more pronounced in the dim firelight. Her polite upbringing begged her to look away, but when her eyes drifted down and she saw the front of him, she audibly sucked in a breath.
Her gaze snapped to his, and though he was no longer grinning, he appeared amused.
“Yes?” he asked after a moment.
“Nothing. I didn’t say anything,” she said quickly, her attention darting in spite of herself from his face to his member standing straight and impossibly rigged.
Had that been what was in her? It didn’t seem possible.
“Are you sure?” He came towards her. “I could have sworn you asked to touch it.”
“What?” she said loudly, until she saw the playfulness in his face. She let out a shaky laugh. “You’re teasing me.”
“I am,” he admitted. He grasped her hand and led her toward the bed. “Come. I won’t accost you while you sleep.”
“Are we to sleep naked?” she asked, a little surprised.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t we?”
“I never have before.”
“Really? I do so every night.”
“Truly?” she asked. He nodded. “I never imagined that someone would do so.”
He held up the covers, and she crawled beneath them. He cuddled next to her and gathered her against his body. She felt sore enough that she was slightly worried that he would seek to make love again, but he only kissed her shoulder.
“Easy, darling,” he said. At that, her muscles began to unwind. “I’ve only plans to hold you.”
Hope relaxed against him, their body fitting comfortably together beneath the cool sheets. Her eyes closed, his breath warm against her neck.
“I think I was right,” she said dreamily as her tired body nestled closer to the comfort of his. “We shall have a lucky marriage indeed.”
