Alpin's control shattered.
He kissed her like he was drowning and she was air.
His mouth claimed hers with a hunger that stole her breath, one hand tangling in her hair while the other gripped her waist, pulling her flush against him.
Mhairi responded with equal desperation, her hands fisting in his shirt, rising on her toes to get closer. The kiss deepened, turned carnal, all the weeks of tension and wanting pouring out into their lips and tongue.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Alpin rested his forehead against hers.
"Tell me tae leave," he said roughly. "Tell me this is too fast, that ye need more time, and I'll go. I'll walk out that door right now and we'll pretend this never happened."
"And if I tell ye tae stay?"
His eyes blazed. "Then I'm nae going anywhere."
"Stay." The word came out sure and strong. "Please, Alpin. Stay."
He kissed her again, slower this time but no less intensely. His hands moved to the tie of her robe, fingers pausing over the knot.
"May I?" he asked against her mouth.
"Aye."
He untied the robe with deliberate care, pushing it off her shoulders. It pooled at her feet, leaving her in just the thin nightdress. His eyes darkened as they traced over her.
"Beautiful," he murmured. "So damned beautiful."
Mhairi reached for his shirt, but he caught her hands gently.
"Nae yet." He guided her backward until the backs of her knees hit the bed. "Taenight is about ye. About showin’ ye how much I want ye."
He eased her down onto the bed, following her, covering her body with his. The weight of him was solid, grounding, and Mhairi arched up into him instinctively.
Alpin's mouth found her neck, kissing and nipping his way down to her collarbone. His hands explored with reverent slowness, learning the shape of her through the nightdress.
His mouth traced patterns across her collarbones, down to the modest neckline of her nightdress. His hands skimmed her sides, her hips, the outside of her thighs.
Every touch was patient, giving her time to adjust, to accept. Never rushing, never demanding more than she was ready to give.
When his hand slipped beneath the hem of her nightdress, sliding up her bare leg, Mhairi gasped.
"Still good?" he asked, pausing.
"Aye. More than good."
His hand continued upward, fingers tracing patterns on her inner thigh that made her squirm. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he paused again, giving her a chance to object.
Instead, Mhairi spread her legs slightly, an invitation she didn't have words for.
Alpin groaned low in his throat. "Ye're goin’ tae be the death of me, lass."
He kissed his way down her body, pushing the nightdress up as he went. When he settled between her thighs, Mhairi's brain finally caught up with what was happening.
"Alpin, what are ye?—"
"Trust me?" He looked up at her from between her legs, his expression both wicked and tender.
"Aye, but…"
