Page 23 of Never Kiss a Highlander

“Of course, lass.” He walked over to the bundle of clothes the men had just stripped off him and dropped his liene over his head.

Once he was covered, he said, “Why doona ye join me o’er here by the fire.”

She shook her head. “They took all my clothes.”

“This is yer bedchamber, is it no’? Just tell me where yer sleeping gown is, and I’ll fetch it for ye.”

“In there.” She pointed to a wardrobe next to a trunk with a pitcher of water and a bowl sitting on it.

He rustled through a few things and then pulled out the filmiest sleeping gown he could find. Apparently still flustered from the bedding ceremony, she didn’t notice how visible her body would be in the garment.

Well, he was certainly not going to point it out to her. He brought it over to her and she shimmed into it. “Thank ye, I feel better now.”

He held out his hand. “Come join me by the fire for a drink and it will relax ye.”

She smiled at him, took his hand and climbed from the bed. He was staggered. He’d spent so much time snipping with the lass that he never really studied her.

The woman was stunning. Her near naked body was perfect. Lush breasts with rosy nipples, a definite curve at her waist and generous hips. At the apex of her firm legs, a silky thatch of blonde hair drew his eyes.

His eyes moved up to take in her wavy blonde hair that fell over her shoulders and rested on her back and breasts.

He actually had to shake himself to remember what he was going to do. The fire. He was bringing her to the fire. To warm her up. He, on the other hand, was so warm an ice cold bath in the loch sounded good just about now.

Or a quick drink and then to the bed.

He gave her a small glass of whisky and settled in the chair next to her. They stared at the fire and sipped the drinks.

She smelled of flowers, sunshine, and all things woman. He kept taking quick glances at her glass which she seemed to be holding onto like a lifeline.

“Alison. Are ye nervous?”

She took a deep breath, bringing his eyes directly to those beautiful breasts that he wanted to cup, squeeze, rub. He closed his eyes. He had to get control.

“I am a bit nervous. I haven’t had a mam for a long time, to teach me, and, as much as I tried to listen to the maids whisper among themselves, I ne’er really kenned what they were talking about. I just heard a lot of giggling.”

He ran his hand over his hair. Should he tell her, or show her? He was all for showing, so maybe, if he went slow, it would not frighten her.

Then he remembered this was Lady Alison, the woman who had no problem standing up to him. She rode horses like a demon with no escort, claimed to be proficient with the bow, and bragged about hersgian dubh. He was certain—once he broke through her initial fear—all the passion he’d sensed in her in the stable would take over.

Certain of himself now, he took the glass out of her hand and, placing his hands on her shoulders, turned her toward him. “Wife, ye are truly the most beautiful lass I’ve e’er seen.”

Her face flushed and, before she was able to question or dispute him, he covered her plump lips with his, starting out slow and thoughtful. It didn’t take long for her to demand more.

He was willing.

Chapter Ten

Alison found his nearness overwhelming. A feeling she was not at all familiar with. She always had the upper hand when it came to dealing with people. Especially men. She didn’t trust them and never would. Her heart could not take another beating like it had before.

Before her brain had cleared enough from seeing Finn Mackay in all his naked glory, she was sitting in the sleeping gown and sipping whisky. The sleeping gown he’d brought to her was the one that her cousin, Mairi, had made for her and presented when she’d first arrived.

Embarrassed to even touch the thing, she’d stuffed it into the back of her wardrobe. It seemed quite suspicious that Finn just happened to pull that one out.

And then he took her glass out of her hand and kissed her.

Her heart hammering in her ears, he covered her mouth with his. Warm, soft, exploring. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

The thin garments they wore felt like nothing at all. She could feel the heat and muscles of his chest. The liene was opened at the throat, giving her a glimpse of his strong chest, covered with soft, dark hair, very much like the hair on his head.