They joined hands, and Adam drew her into an intimate embrace, pulling back to kiss her.
The priest cleared his throat, frowning. “The vows first, Laird MacKay.”
Adam grinned. “Ye canna blame a man, for the lass has fully enchanted me.”
They faced the priest with reverence then, and Kali Elizabeth Bane became the mistress of Clan MacKay.
…
Hours later, Adam carried his bride into the tiny cabin on the beach, where maids had come and decorated the bridal bed with flowers. Soft furs had been spread over a straw-stuffed mattress, and two side tables contained candles and trays of food and wine. Where else would he have brought his bride? This is where they had truly found each other.
He set her on her feet in front of one of the still-burning pyres. Guards were discreetly positioned along the property boundaries, though not close enough to interfere with their happiness and privacy.
“Ye have made me the happiest man in all the Highlands, lass.” He tilted her chin upward, drinking in her beauty, then allowing his finger to trace the fine lines of her body, down her elegant neck, between her lush breasts, to her flat stomach, to that secret place, down her left leg…
“Adam…” She shivered. “This is everything I have ever dreamed of…more.”
“Anything for ye, my sweet love.”
Her gaze moved away from him.
“What is it?”
“The children.”
“My first decree as laird was to assign Raini chambers big enough to accommodate her and the orphans. They will have everything they need: food and clothes. As for Keara, Sam and several men were dispatched to bring her here to stay with us.”
“Thank ye,” she whispered. “My sweet sister and those children are so important.”
“If I had been a better man, I would have challenged me sire sooner about them.”
“Ye were raised to fear and respect the man, not overrule him.”
“Still…” He sighed. “I will never forgive meself for failing them or Raini.”
“Then spend the rest of yer days making it up to them.”
“How?” he asked.
“By having fun.”
His eyes gleamed with mischievousness. “What kind of fun?” he asked, untying the laces at the front of her gown.
“Not this kind of fun,” she whispered, reaching for his plaid.
Adam had fantasized about seeing her naked again and wanted to love her completely. As he slid the delicate dress down her shoulders and finally off her body, he couldn’t control himself any longer. He lifted her into his arms and she hugged his waist with her long legs, their mouths coming together in a dance of wild passion.
Weeks of longing had brought them to this point, to this joining of hearts.
Her hands slid up and down his shoulders and arms, her fingers finding the curls of his hair. Aye, she was everything right and perfect about this world. He carried her swiftly to the cabin, pushed the door open with his boot, and slammed it shut.
His clothes and shoes ended up in a messy pile on the floorboards.
Kali reclined on the soft bed, staring up at him, her gaze lingering on certain parts of his body, exciting him beyond measure.
He kneeled before her, then slowly crawled up her body, gently urging her back, his mouth slanting over her perfect lips, their tongues meeting. She writhed beneath him, her fingernails digging into the flesh of his back, spurring him on. Oh, how sweet she tasted, her dark, tight nipples begging for his touch and tongue. She tasted like sea salt and wine, her skin soft and smooth.
“I love ye, Kali MacKay,” he said, gazing down at her. “And I promise ye from this day on, ye will be happy.”
