“Ach, Liam,” Katherine tutted, her hand tightening where it was resting in the crook of his arm. “He’s simply joinin’ in the festivities. Let them cheer for ye.”
“I’m nae sayin’ that they cannae cheer,” Liam scoffed, looking down at the woman. Her cheeks were flushed from the drink, and there seemed to be a permanent smile on her face. “I’m tellin’ Cillian that he has said the same thing four times this evenin’. The least he could do is come up with somethin’ else.”
“I’m thinkin’ about doin’ it a fifth time,” Cillian teased, taking a long drink of his whiskey. “Me favorite number is five after all.”
“Ye ken, I think that we have celebrated enough,” Liam said, earning a giggle from Katherine. “Me wife has had quite a long day. I’m sure she’d like to retire.”
“The healer did advise I rest,” she said, leaning more heavily against him. “So I suppose we will have to miss yer next toast.”
“I’ll be sure to drink enough for the both of ye, then,” Cillian said, giving Liam a knowing look.
If I werenae in such a good mood, I’d chastise him for that.
“Daenae overdo it,” Liam warned, giving his friend a final nod before turning to leave the room, his free hand coming up to cover Katherine’s. As they wove through the crowd, he leaned down and whispered, “I will be joinin’ ye in our chambers this evenin’.”
A shiver ran through her, and breathlessly, she said, “I would like that very much.”
His own desire spiked, and the memories of each kiss they’d shared came back to him unbidden. It was as if he’d already memorized the curve of her mouth. Now, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her again, to claim her in every single way that he could.
As they made their way through the corridors, both of them moved faster. The anticipation had reached a fever pitch. Even without words, they’d come to the understanding of what would happen next.
Liam scooped up Katherine as they rounded the corner of the hallway leading to their chambers. She laughed, holding onto him and hiding her face in the crook of his neck. When he reached the door, he practically kicked it open. As they stepped inside, he slammed his heel into it, forcing the latch to catch.
Placing her onto the floor next to the mattress, he said, “This is yer one and only chance to ask me to leave. If ye daenae, I cannae promise I will be able to stop meself.”
“I daenae want ye to leave,” Katherine said, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “And I daenae want ye to stop yerself.”
That was all the permission Liam needed. Pulling her close with one hand on her waist and the other on her cheek, he kissed her with everything he had. It was a mix of his own desperate desire, an apology for what he must have done to her heart, and a promise that he would keep her happy in every way she could imagine.
Katherine responded in kind, her arms coming up around his shoulders, anchoring herself to the moment. He could feel the relief at finally getting what he’d denied her as well as her own restrained need. It was everything, yet it still wasn’t enough.
As he probed the seam of her lips with his tongue, his hands slid over her form. His fingertips mapped the curve of her hip, the softness right over her middle. When his touch ghosted over the swell of her breast, she gasped into his mouth.
“Liam,” she whispered, her voice urgent as she pressed further into him. “Please.”
“Ye daenae even ken what ye’re askin’ for,” he groaned, his hand tightening on her chest.
“Then show me,” she said, sounding as though she were on the edge of begging.
With a growl that sounded more animalistic than human, Liam kissed her once more. His hands found the buttons on the back of her gown, and he undid them as he claimed her mouth with his tongue. She pressed against him harder, her breasts against his chiseled front.
When he pulled back to slide the gown from her shoulders, Katherine’s mouth chased his. She let him push the fabric down her arms, stepping out of it when it pooled around her feet. Then, her hands shot out, grabbing onto his doublet and pulling it free from his kilt.
“Aye, aye,” he said, tearing the garment over his head. “Now, let me see all of ye.”
Without giving her a chance to respond, he quickly unfastened her corset and stays. Stripping her completely bare, a growl escaped from his chest. He’d dreamed of this moment, of just how beautiful she would be entirely uncovered for him.
He took a step back, taking in the swell of her breasts. Her nipples were already pebbled with her desire, dusty pink and absolutely beautiful against her pale skin. Reaching forward, he took one between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it gently.
Katherine moaned, the sound echoing off the walls of the chambers and going straight to his cock. Her lips were parted, and her lashes were fanned against her rosy cheeks. He didn’t think that there was anything more beautiful than this image of her.
“You next,” she managed, breathless and needy. “Please. I need?—”
He cut her off with a sharp pinch. Her back arched, and her knees went wobbly. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he pulled her against him and claimed her mouth once more. He pressed his arousal into her, letting her feel exactly what she’d done to him.
“I’m nay holdin’ back anymore,” he said to her, rewriting the vow that had defined the last six years of his life. “I’m makin’ every single part of ye mine.”
He let go of her, his hands flying to the front of his kilt. When he threw it to the side, revealing his hard, thick length, Katherine’s breathing stopped for a full second. Then, hesitantly, her hand reached forward.
