“Not yet married and already you are ordering me about? I hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.”
At the sound of her voice, he tensed, his already frayed nerves flared.
He turned, fists clenched at his side, steeling himself against the shock of seeing the object of his desire materialize as if out of a dream. But no fantasy could have prepared him for seeing the woman he loved clad only in an ivory silk dressing gown, her long golden hair tumbling in heavy waves around her shoulders, her tiny feet bare.Bloody hell, what was she trying to do, torture him?
“What are you doing here?” His voice came out rougher than he’d intended. “You should be abed.”
She moved toward him, the fire illuminating her lush figure so that he could see…
His heart stopped, and everything went perfectly still.Everything.God help him, he could see everything. She was naked under the thin swath of silk. Blood surged through his veins as his body went rigid—as every part of him went rigid.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “And”—she glanced pointedly at the half-empty cup—“it seems neither could you.”
“What are you doing here, Flora?”
She kept moving toward him, hips swaying seductively, until she stood right in front of him. Close enough for her sweet feminine scent to flood his senses and make him crazed with desire.
“I would hope that was obvious.”
His heart pounded in his chest. It was, damn it, it was. She was giving herself to him—and God, how he wanted her.
She slipped her hands around his neck and pressed her body against his bare chest. The softness of the silk, her breasts crushed against him…heat, all he could think about was heat. The sensation was so intense, he nearly groaned. Hell, why hadn’t he put on a shirt? Because his arm hurt. But the only pain he felt right now was the agony of restraint. “I thought since we will be married in a few days that you might want to wait until we are man and wife,” he said, fighting to hold on to his good intentions.
A tiny furrow appeared between her brows. “But it takes two weeks to proclaim the banns.”
“I’ve written to your cousin about dispensing with banns.” They would pay a fine instead at the time of recording for the irregular marriage.
She arched a brow, clearly amused. “That was fast.”
He shrugged, masking the stab of guilt. “I didn’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.” And if his plan didn’t work, he wouldn’t wait another day to free his brother from the hellhole of Blackness Prison and his people from Duart’s suffering. To that end, he added, “I’ve written Rory as well.”
She smiled, nestling against him, the hard press of her nipples an erotic tease. “I’m flattered, but there is no reason to rush. I won’t change my mind. Though I’m sure my brother and cousin will be so eager to see me wed they will do whatever is necessary to ensure it is done quickly. I’m afraid my cousin has been rather annoyed with me lately.”
“With good reason, I’d wager.”
A naughty smile played upon her lips. “Perhaps.” Her nose crinkled adorably. “You don’t think there will be any problem in securing their agreement, do you?”
The irony of her question was not lost on him—it was all but decided. “I was very persuasive. They will have no objection.” Argyll would see that Rory agreed; there was no reason for him not to.
She gazed up at him with all the trust in the world. He had to look away.
“I know how persuasive you can be.” Her hand caressed the muscle of his uninjured arm, sending heat rippling through him. “Did you tell them…”
He knew what she was thinking. That she was no longer a virgin. “Not unless it is necessary.”
She nodded, relieved, and continued her stroking. Touching him. Her hands skimming over his body like the softest feather. A feather that singed a fiery path wherever she went.
“But surely we will need more time to prepare for the celebration?” she asked.
He could barely think; his senses were overwhelmed with the scent, the feel, and the touch of her. “I won’t wait a moment longer than necessary to make you my wife. I’d do it today if it were possible. As it is not, we will be married on Sunday.” Four days hence. He could wait four damn days.
Her hand slid over his stomach and dipped. Or maybe not.
“Hmm. It seems a long time to wait.” Her fingers traced the taut muscles, skimming dangerously close to his erection. He couldn’t breathe. “For no real reason.”
Was there a reason? None he could think of right now. She had him so damn aroused, lust was doing his thinking. All he could think about was making love to her until they collapsed in an exhausted heap. Until he bound her to him so that she could never deny their feelings. Maybe making love again would help.
She gazed up at him, her expression suddenly uncertain. He knew she was confused by his apparent reluctance when he’d been doing everything in his power to seduce her the past few days. Hell, he was confused by it, too.
