It did not make sense.
As Rorie was atop his horse and riding away from Dunrobin, the hair on his nape prickled. He pulled on the reins and turned his horse back toward the castle.
Something was not right. He gazed around the sides for something that may look out of place, and then up. That was when he saw her. He would know her from miles away, such was the connection between them.
Muren stood at the balcony overlooking the back of the castle, and stared down at Rorie. She was too far away to hear him if he called out to her, so he waved.
Unable to pick out her expression, his heart sank when she did not wave back. Dressed in white, she turned and walked back into the chamber, closing the doors behind her.
The wind picked up and swirled around him, unsettling his horse. Glancing back at the closed doors once more, he envisioned whispering the words in her ear, “I will return for you.” Then he drew his horse back around toward the road and galloped away from her.
The skies had darkened and the clouds drifted over the moon. From time to time they parted, and enough light shone through for Rorie to determine where he was going. He would not make it all the way back home this evening, but there was an inn close by where he could secure a chamber.
An hour later, as he neared the inn, the wind picked up again and the clouds parted revealing the brightest moon he had ever seen. Rorie turned his head and looked up. As he did, he heard the distinct, sweet sound of her voice in his ear, “I will be waiting.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The butterflies that had set loose in her belly threatened to consume Annabella as she walked, nay, practically ran with Angus to his chamber. She had longed for this moment for what had seemed like her entire life. She could never have guessed that she would be wed to a man such as Angus MacDonald, and fortunate enough to live in the most beautiful land that ever was. Every tree and flower and loch filled her soul with peace and contentment.
Once they reached his chamber, she pushed the door open and was about to enter when Angus scooped her up and carried her inside. He kicked the door closed with his foot.
Turning to the door, he said, “Lock it.”
She gazed into his green eyes and smiled as, still in his arms, she reached down to flip the lock into place. “But what if someone needs us?” she asked, teasing.
His response was a low growl that made her thighs squeeze together in anticipation. Her pulse picked up and her lips parted. How was it possible for him to affect her so with just a look and a guttural noise?
“No one would dare knock on that door,” he said.
Angus placed her gently on the bed and reached for the belt of his tunic. She knelt up and pushed his hands away. “Let me,” she said.
Annabella slipped the belt out through the clasp and unfastened it. She dropped it to the floor and slid her hands down to the hem of his tunic. Slowly pulling, so that her hands grazed his thighs, she lifted the garment up his body, smiling at the muscular skin revealed along the way. She dared not stare at his hardened member for fear she may lose her courage.
Angus raised his arms so she could lift the tunic over his head, then she tossed it to the floor with his belt. Her heart thudded hard as she caressed his shoulders and the thick muscles of his chest. She leaned in and flicked an erect nipple with her tongue, just as he had done with her in this bed but days ago.
His response was a sharp intake of breath. “You will let me undress you now,” he said in a hoarse whisper.
Angus reached for the hem of her gown and lifted until his hands were under her shift and stroking bare skin. He cupped her bottom and pressed her against his erection. Annabella reached up and pulled him toward her, claiming his mouth. He was a willing participant, and slipped his tongue inside her mouth to tangle with hers.
Blood surged through her body as he stroked the quivering flesh of her womanhood with the back of his fingers. Still on her knees, Annabella widened her stance to allow him more access. Suddenly her clothes were more of a burden than she could bear. She pulled at the ties on the side of her gown, releasing the tightness around her breasts.
In a sweeping movement, Angus managed to remove her gown and shift. One hand returned to her bottom while the other cupped her breast and squeezed. He took her nipple into his mouth and sucked hard, making her shake with delight. Her body pulsed with need for him.
“Angus, I want you,” she whispered.
“Not yet, my sweet. Not until I taste every inch of you.”
She did not know how she could possibly survive much more of this sweet torture, and it appeared he had only just begun.
Angus slowly pushed her onto her back and widened her legs with his knee. “You are so enchanting, Annabella. I ache to bury myself in your sweetness.”
Annabella wanted that, too, and responded by lifting her hips to meet his. His rock-hard member brushed against her throbbing bud, and pleasure the like she had only felt once before coursed through her veins. By feel alone, she knew he was quite large, and a part of her feared their joining while a much greater part of her ached for it.
“Take me, Angus.”
“Not yet,” he said again.
Angus slid down her body, placing gentle kisses in a path that led to her heat. She gasped as he closed his mouth over her bud and sucked in the same way he had on her nipple. With one hand underneath her and one gently squeezing her breast, Angus plunged his tongue inside several times before returning to suck her. Annabella nearly saw stars. She was on the brink and so close now she could feel the first shivers of her orgasm.
