Page 55 of Highland Spy

“I see. And have ye tried it before?”

His eyes interlocked with hers. “All that matters, is what’s happenin’ now.”

“I suppose ye’re right.”

When he pulled his leine up over his head, exposing his bare chest and hard biceps, she was drawn in. All she could think of was running her hands over his body, feeling him beneath her fingers. He leaned over her in just his braies, reaching out to unclasp her cape. Kissing her, his hands worked quickly to unlace her bodice.

Caleb felt his hands shaking as he slowly pushed Bridget’s gown from her shoulders, revealing her pale pink, soft skin. “Freckles,” he said, gently running his fingertips over the skin just above her cleavage.

“I dinna like them,” she said, slapping her hand over his, as if she were ashamed of them and didn’t want him to see them.

“Well, I like them,” he said, slowly pushing her hand away. “And I want to see every single one of them, and kiss each one as well.” He undressed her until she was only in her shift. Already, he could see her hardened nipples poking up through the cloth, so he knew she was as excited as he was right now. Then ever so nimbly, he took the hem of her shift and slid it higher and higher a little at a time, kissing her all the while. Pulling it off over her head, he flipped it onto the pile of his clothes on the floor that were already there.

His breathing labored with anticipation. When he stared down at her perfect body, she seemed to become shy again, or mayhap she started having second thoughts. Her hands covered her breasts and she turned her head, looking the other way.

God’s eyes, he prayed she wasn’t going to turn him away again, because he didn’t think he could take it. “There’s no need to be shy,” he assured her.

“But I’m no’ sure my body will please ye.”

“And why wouldna it?” he asked, wondering why she’d even say such an absurd thing.

“When I – when I was married . . . I was told by my husband that I didna have what it took to bear children or to even excite a man.”

“Blethers, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Just look at ye, lass. Ye’re a vision of lovliness.”

“But Valan said –” she stopped abruptly and bit her lip, once again turning her head away from him.

“Look at me, Bridget,” said Caleb, placing his hands over hers. Slowly, she turned her head to face him. “I’m no’ Valan, and I dinna care what he thinks. I am Caleb, and Caleb thinks ye have a most allurin’ body.”

“Really?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I have a feelin’ that’s part of the reason ye hide beneath the baggy clothes and wear yer hair in braids all the time. Ye dinna think ye are bonnie, but I assure ye that ye are.”

“Mayhap that’s why I do it,” she said, her reply sounding like the seductive whisper of a siren, pulling him in. Caleb needed her. He wanted her. And if he didn’t have her tonight, he was sure he would go mad with wanton desire.

Once again, he lowered his head to her chest, kissing one freckle after another until his mouth covered the nipple of one of her breasts. Slipping his hands around her back, he pulled her closer, letting his tongue work magic on her.

She squirmed beneath him and he heard her moan of desire. He kissed her on the lips once more, then ran his hands down her chest and past her taut stomach. Then, holding on to the sides of her braies, he kissed her stomach, swirling his tongue against her navel, and pulled the braies off, throwing them to the ground.

“Caleb,” she said, looking at him with lust in her eyes, licking her lips. Her heated gaze of desire fell below his waist. “Remove them,” she said, nodding to his braies.

“Ye do it for me,” he challenged her, watching as her eyes lit up with mischief.

“All right,” she said with a wry grin, sitting up. He was on his knees, straddling her. She untied his braies, pulling them down, causing his erection to spring free. “Oh!” she gasped, staring at his hardened manhood that in this position was right in front of her face.

“Feel it,” he whispered, wanting to experience her touch.

She reached out, but stopped and drew her hand back as if she were afraid to do it.

“Let me help ye,” he told her, taking her hand in his and wrapping it around his form, holding it tightly in place. He moaned and felt as if he were so tempted by her beauty that it was driving him mad. “Are ye gettin’ warmer?” he asked.

She took a deep breath and released it. “Aye, but no’ nearly as hot as ye.”

“Then I’m no’ doin’ my job.” Focusing solely on Bridget, he kissed and hugged her, his hand slipping down to cup her womanhood, bringing her to life. Emotions surged through him and his breathing labored. And when he climbed atop her and settled himself between her open legs, he could see by the look in her eyes that she was ready. He wanted this more than anything, yet something made him hesitate. He needed to know for sure that she wanted it, too, and that he wasn’t forcing himself on her.

“What are ye waitin’ for, Caleb?” Bridget arched her back and spread her legs wider. She invited him in, and he was not going to turn down the invitation.

“Are ye sure, lass?” he asked, his breathing labored. “I dinna want to force myself on ye.”