His gaze slid over her red swollen lips, her flushed cheeks, her adorably messed hair, and her ivory breasts rosy from his kisses. No, she didn't look hurt, she looked very thoroughly ravished.
And sensual as hell.
If he hadn't just had the most amazing orgasm of his life wring him dry, he would be tempted to take her again— just so he could see if it had been real.
“You look beautiful,” he said honestly.
He saw the pleasure she took from his compliment, as if it were a rare treat, and vowed to tell her often so that she would never forget it. Her smile, bereft of its usual uncertainty, deepened to pure radiance. It hit him square in the chest. She should look like this always. Happy without restraint. Secure.
She lay in his arms for a moment, the curve of her body nestled intimately against his. Her cheek and the palm of one soft hand rested on his chest. Absently, her fingers traced the narrow path of dark hair on his stomach. Her hair was spread out like a flaxen veil on his chest, tickling his tanned skin.
So this was contentment. Would that they could stay like this forever.
When the pounding of their hearts had steadied and their breathing returned to normal, she propped up her chin on her hand and ventured a wary glance at him. “Are you disappointed?”
He stilled, not needing to ask what she was talking about. Lizzie hadn't been a virgin. Though part of him had guessed the truth, he admitted a moment of disappointment to have it confirmed. He was a man, after all, it was only natural. She was his woman, and he wished that he'd been the first. Irrational, unfair … definitely. But also honest.
That initial flare of disappointment, however, had fled when he thought of the hurt she must have suffered. He suspected the identity of the man she'd given herself to, and it shed an entirely new light on the events he'd witnessed— and played an unknowing role in—that day. His body clenched. How could the bastard make love to her and then treat her that way?
He'd taken too long to respond, and she misinterpreted his reaction. “I can understand if you wish to reconsider …” Her voice fell off unsteadily.
“Nay!” His reaction was swift and forceful; the swell of fierce emotion made him tighten his hold around her. “There is nothing to reconsider.”
The loss of her maidenhead to him was nothing to what it must have cost her. If anything, it eased his own sense of guilt about taking her.
Holding her in his arms like this, just the two of them, he found it easy to forget the complications that awaited them beyond. Life married to a MacGregor would be nothing like what she knew. He had nothing to give her. But he would do everything he could to make her happy.
He ached to taste every delectable inch of her body, cover her creamy soft skin with his hands, and make sure she never regretted the decision to marry him.
But it was a battle he was doomed to lose.
How else would she react when she discovered the truth? He'd deceived her. And that deception, though necessary, had never weighed more heavily on him.
She tilted her head, her eyes scanning his face. “You truly aren't angry?”
He cupped her tiny chin. “Not with you.” But he wanted to kill John Montgomery. If the man wasn't already living his penance, he would do just that.
She read him better than he realized and eyed him warily. “Do you want to know?”
He thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Nay.” It was in the past. “Then I would have to kill him.”
Her eyes widened, his blunt statement surprising her. “You would do that for me?”
The woman was daft. “I will kill anyone who harms you.” He cocked a brow. “I hope that doesn't offend your delicate sensibilities?”
“No,” she said hesitantly. “Though I'm not used to having such a fierce protector.”
He kissed her forehead. “Get used to it.” He paused. “Why didn't you tell me?”
“I never meant to hide it from you. I always intended to tell the man I married. But when I imagined an engagement, I thought of a nice quiet discussion in a hall, not … this.” He chuckled, and she blushed. “There wasn't much time for discussion.”
“No, there certainly wasn't,” he said wryly. “Though had you told me ahead of time, it would have saved me a significant amount of pain and suffering.”
She giggled and then said with mock seriousness, “Your control does you honor, my laird.”
“Witch.” He slapped her playfully on her bottom. He had no control with her. Heaven help him when she figured it out. “You'll pay for your insolence.”
The wicked gleam in her eye stirred his cock from its sated stupor. “I'm looking forward to it.” She leaned up and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. “Thank you.”
