He threw his head back and laughed deeply—irritatingly so. “Ye’re my wife, lass, I can do whatever I wish with ye. And in case ye forgot, that door is barred from the inside and out. We are stuck heretogether.”
Chapter Fourteen
The more shedenied and fought against their mutual hunger, the more desirable his new wife became. Color suffused Keely’s lovely cheeks, and those damnable blue eyes reminded him of the burning sun over the desert. He had no intention of forcing her or hurting her—but she must understand what was going to happen tonight. The marriagemustbe consummated. He couldna live two lives—his heart in Constantinople and his mind in the Highlands. Nay, he needed to become her husband in every way in order to find the anchor necessary to keep him in Scotland. His ship was still conveniently located only a short ride away, ready to sail wherever he commanded.
“Ye’re heavier than a blasted stone,” she complained. “Get off me.”
Alex had been very careful to balance most of his weight on his knees. She was searching for any excuse to get rid of him. “Nay.”
She sighed. “What if I fall asleep with ye sitting there?”
“Then I will make special use of the time.”
“What?” She sat up, leaning on her elbows.
“Did I stutter, lass?”
“Ye’d use me in such a way?”
Though he wanted to chuckle at her silly thought, he kept a serious expression. “A man must do his duty.”
“Please get off of me. I need a drink of wine.”
“All right, lass. Since ye asked so nicely.” He repositioned himself on the bed and watched as she scurried across the room to the table where food and drink had been left for them.
With shaky hands, she poured herself a measure of wine and gulped it down, then refilled her cup.
“Easy, lass,” he advised. “If ye drink too much, it will take longer for me to do my duty.”
She slammed the cup down and thrust a hand on her hip, looking infuriated and maybe a little drunk. “Ye and yer men can ride away from here, Alex. We’re married as far as the church is concerned. Why stay when ye have so much to return to in Constantinople?”
Her easy dismissal angered him and he stood up. “And leave ye a virgin for another night? For the next man who wants ye?”
She clicked her tongue. “There isna a man left in the Highlands who would dare have me after everything that has transpired these last few days—after the humiliation I’ve suffered.”
“Ye’re wrong.”
“Am I?”
He launched himself at her, capturing her in his arms, tasting her again and again, swallowing her bitterness and the remnants of the honey wine she’d just drank. “I am a man, Keely. Ye’re husband.”
Guiding her hand over his stomach and underneath his tartan, he made sure she felt his excitement. And when she feigned innocence and tried to yank her hand free, he whispered in her ear. “Nay, lassie. Doona act as if ye’ve never felt me before.” For she had, many times under a starlit sky. They’d explored each other’s bodies freely through their clothes, kissing and petting until he’d nearly lost his mind. But honor had held him back. And by God, since she was officially his wife now, there’d be no more teasing.
“A-Alex,” she purred. She cupped his manhood and offered her mouth to him.
He tangled his free hand in her long hair, then kissed her wildly. Aye, he wanted her to melt in his arms, to beg for anything and everything he could give her. Though he knew her to be a maiden, Keely had never been shy.
He released her mouth and feathered light kisses down the column of her neck, then nipped and licked the delicate skin between her breasts. The gown hugged her curves perfectly, revealing the generous swell of her breasts.Hisbreasts.
The more he kissed her, the more she arched into him. Alex took advantage of the opportunity, unlacing the front of her dress, until the bodice gaped open enough for him to shove the material of her shift aside. He reached out and stroked her cheek while admiring her flesh. Flesh he wanted to explore and taste. Especially her rose-colored nipple. And he did just that, circling her areola with his tongue. Breathless and weak-kneed, Alex had to hold Keely up.
“Will ye fight me now, lass?”
She shook her head, delightfully complaint and willing.
He smiled like a fool, a hungry fool at that. With little effort, he carried her to the bed. She fell back against the soft mattress. Then Alex stripped his shirt and tartan off, and his boots followed.
Candlelight filled the bedchamber, and Alex stayed still so Keely could inspect his body. Curiosity filled her eyes. But when her stare lingered on his cock, he couldna wait any longer. He lifted the hem of her gown, raising it above her hips. What greeted him made him salivate. The patch of dark hair crowning her womanhood and the sight of her slim thighs made it impossible to hold back. He cupped her arse with both hands, lifting her to his face.
