He frowned and reached into the tub to pull her out. She yelped, wrapping her arms around his neck as his arms cradled her to his chest. He carried her to the bed, not caring that she was dripping water all over him and the floor. Gently, he lowered her onto the bed and slid in next to her.
“Ye daenae understand how much I want ye, lass,” he murmured, his hand resting on her stomach. She shivered as his fingers splayed over her skin. “I’d do anythin’ for ye. Even become a better man.”
Her heart felt close to bursting. She rolled onto her side so that they faced each other and placed her hand on his cheek. He leaned into her touch, pressing a gentle kiss to her palm.
There was nothing but complete honesty on his face, and Thalia finally let herself accept it. He loved her, and he wanted to be with her. It was more than she could have ever hoped for.
“I daenae ken.” She grinned at him. “Ye’re nae such a bad man now.”
She pressed herself against him like she couldn’t get close enough. Finlay’s hands roamed over her body, grasping at every dip and curve. She shuddered against him, mewling as his hand slid down to cup her breast. His answering groan stoked the heat gathering between her legs.
“Thalia,” he growled, trailing his lips down her jaw, her neck. “Thalia, I daenae think I can hold back any longer.”
She gasped as his teeth grazed the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder. “I daenae want ye to. I want all of ye. Finlay…”
As soon as his name left her lips, he rolled her on her back. He loomed over her, his hands holding her wrists down, but she wasn’t scared. His knee came up to rest between her thighs, and the slight pressure made her breath hitch in her throat.
“Do ye want this, lass?” he asked, his eyes blazing so hot she was sure they could burn her. “If ye do, I willnae promise I can be soft and gentle.”
Thalia’s heart skipped a beat. “I want ye, all of ye. Whatever that means. I trust ye, Finlay.”
He swallowed, his throat constricting with the action.
Without wasting another moment, he sat back on his heels and yanked his shirt over his head. Thalia lay back, admiring the view of his muscular chest. He had earned a few more scratches, and she secretly hoped a few would scar. They would be a permanent reminder of today.
He slid off the bed, unbuckling his plaid and letting it fall to the floor. Thalia sat up, and she took in the sight of his naked body. His wide shoulders, his strong chest, the way his chest hair grew thicker and curlier the further down it went. Every inch of his body was made of muscle. He was a warrior, the Highland Wolf, and he washers.
Her blood thrummed with excitement, even as her stomach flipped a little in anticipation. She was nervous, but it all vanished the moment he climbed on top of her again. His body seemed to envelop hers, and their quick breaths mingled as he leaned down to kiss her again.
Her thighs parted obediently for him as he settled between them, but he didn’t enter her straight away as she thought he would. Instead, he moved his hand to her warmth and stroked her like he had that night in the cabin.
She moaned, arching into him as his fingers slid in and out of her.
“I need to get ye ready for me.” He flashed her a wolfish grin.
She would have told him that she was ready if he hadn’t brought his thumb up to tease her small bundle of nerves. Pleasurable jolted through her, and she cried out as the wave continued to build inside her. Warmth flooded her body as her arousal grew, licking up her spine so that it became her only focus.
With his free hand, he kneaded one breast and then the other. His fingers pinched her nipples, teasing them into hard peaks as if it was his given right to do whatever he pleased with her. She supposed it was. She would let him do whatever he wanted to her.
Hands fisting in the sheets beneath her, she squirmed as the sensations consumed her. Her hips bucked as if they had a mind of their own. They thrust up to meet his hand, urging him to slide his finger deeper. She felt that familiar heat swell in her belly. Pleasure exploded within her, and her resounding cry was cut short as Finlay’s mouth came down on hers.
He tugged her bottom lip between his teeth as she shuddered and trembled beneath him. He swallowed her whimpers as he brought her back down. Pressing one more kiss to her lips, he withdrew his hand and lined up his length with her entrance.
Her body jerked as she felt the tip of him slide against her wetness, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him as tightly as she could.
“This is going to hurt,” he warned.
She shook her head. “I’m nae scared.”
He grinned again, and with one thrust, he sheathed himself inside her.
She cried out, this time in pain as he broke through her maidenhead. She squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip, willing her body to get used to the new sensation. She felt strangely full.
Finlay pressed a kiss to each eyelid. “Ye all right?” he whispered.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she stared up at him. There was nothing but utter adoration in his eyes, like she was the only one he ever wanted to look at.
“Aye,” she said. “Keep going.”
