Page 50 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

Ava’s breath caught in her chest as she glimpsed the shiny golden ring. The plain stone sparkled in the light as he held it up. She’d never seen such a beautiful ring in her life. Ava held her breath when he took her hand and held it in his.

“Tae mak’ things more official. This ring belonged tae me mother. I gave it tae Cora for our wedding, but it was left behind in her room the night she disappeared. I’m glad I can give it tae ye now, as it was always meant tae go tae my wife.

Ava bit her bottom lip as she watched him slip the ring onto her finger, before kissing her hand.

“Tae us,” Boyd said as he lifted his mug in the air. “May we live a long and happy life together as husband and wife,” he smiled at her over the rim of his mug as he brought the steel closer to his lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Boyd lifted the mug of ale to his lips just as Ava reached out and placed her hand on his arm, stopping him from taking a sip. “Is something the matter?” he asked with a puzzled look on his face while lowering the mug.

Ava wore a frightened expression on her face as she gently lowered his hand with the cup onto the table. “Nae…” she said quietly and stood. “I just want tae thank ye for being so kind tae me. There’s so many things changing,” she said as she looked at the ring on her finger.

“I’m glad ye like the ring,” he said happily as he stood and took her into his arms. “I wanted ye tae have something special for the occasion. Ye dinnae need tae fear the future lass, ye are mine now.”

Ava immediately pressed her lips against his and kissed him with passion, placing her hands on either side of his face before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close.

Boyd responded in kind and placed his large hands on her hips, guiding her back until she was pressed against the desk. “Ava…” he whispered against her lips before kissing her again. “I’m so glad ye want me as much as I want ye…” He nibbled a path down her jaw and gently sucked at the tender flesh of her neck while his hands searched her body.

Ava moaned softly as he kissed her chest, suckling the nape of her neck while massaging her hips through her dress, his thumbs drew closer to her thighs as their passion grew in the heat of the moment.

He could feel his arousal growing as her knees parted slightly, allowing him to press his body even further into hers. The way her hands gripped at his neck made his pulse quicken with desire for the woman he was to marry. The scent of lavender filled his sense as he took in every inch of her being.

Ava gasped when his hands came up to her breasts and cupped them firmly, massaging in an even rhythm that made her shiver with pleasure. “I want ye so much, Boyd…” she breathed in his ear before kissing his neck. She was far more passionate than the first time they’d made love—the longing she displayed for his touch driving him wild.

Boyd felt himself lose control as her hot breath tickled his ear and neck. He wanted her with every fiber of his being as he pushed her back against the desk, using his hands to lift her firm buttocks with one swift move. “Oh… Ava…” Boyd whispered in her ear as his hands searched her body even further. He undid the laces at the back of her dress. He couldn’t wait any longer. He needed her now.

Her knees came up as she slid back onto the wood, pushing her skirts above her knees as his hands explored her thighs and the sides of her waist. Ava’s skin was smooth and soft to the touch. Boyd took his time caressing her thighs and planting slow kisses across her chest.

There was no rush. And he didn’t care if they’d eaten yet or not. All he could think of at that moment was how much he wanted her. He wanted to relive the night of the storm, making every moment count. Ava gasped suddenly and pulled him closer as his hand traveled from her inner thigh to her white undergarments, teasing her through the fabric with gentle strokes. Dipping her head, she nibbled at the base of his throat and moaned as he touched her. Boyd had slid his hand underneath her skirts and up between her thighs. He found her aching bud and his thumb massaged her most delicate parts in circular motions.

Gently lowering Ava onto the desk, Boyd ran his hands up and down her legs and stared down at her. The way her full bosoms rose and fell with every breath made him want her more than any woman he’d ever seen. The curves of her slender body felt like a map to all his desires. And he fully intended to explore every path.

Her lips parted with silent gasps as he drew her leg up and kissed her ankle, drawing a path down her shapely calf and smooth thighs. He whispered her name against the curves of her hips as he pushed the fabric of her dress up her body, exposing the flat surface of her stomach. “Ava… Yer so beautiful…”

Reaching down, Ava tangled her long fingers in his thick blond hair as his tongue circles her naval and inched toward the hem of her undergarments. Boyd stopped when a sudden knock came at the door. “Just a minute,” he called before planting a final kiss on her thigh and pulling her skirts back over her legs.

“I dinnae mean tae interrupt,” Rory called through the door in a frantic tone. “But this matter cannae wait.”

“Sorry, we will have tae continue this later,” Boyd whispered against her neck as he helped her off the desk and straightened her dress. Ava quickly helped him fix his hair and tuck his shirt back into his breeches before he walked over to the door and pulled the handle.

Rory was standing there with an urgent look on his face. “It’s Callum Steward,” he explained in a hurry. “He’s attacking the southern walls of the castle as we speak.”

Boyd quickly turned around and strode toward Ava with purpose. “Ava, I need ye tae stay here, nae matter what ye hear,” he lifted her hands in his and planted a kiss just above the ring on her finger. “Lock the study door and dinnae open it for anyone ye dinnae ken. Promise me?”

Ava searched his face frantically. “But if there are wounded men, I will be able tae help, Boyd. Let me go tae the healer and lend a hand. I have some experience that can help.”

“Nae,” Boyd shook his head. “I have enough tae worry about without wondering where ye are. Ye will be safe in here,” he quickly gave her a kiss and turned to leave before she could say anything else. He nodded to Rory and shut the door behind him.

“The council has already gathered,” Rory said while keeping a brisk pace to keep up with Boyd’s lengthy strides.

“Good. I will hear what they have tae say ‘afore going intae the battle. What is the situation? Has Callum breached the walls?”

“Nae, the attack came as a surprise. But our men were already wearing their armor for training. Lucky thing too, we were able tae push them back intae the moor where the battle is now taking place,” Rory uttered almost out of breath from trying to keep up.

Boyd paused before opening the giant wooden doors that led into the great hall. “I’ll see what the council has tae say,” he nodded to the front door. “Ye go and hold down the fort until I get there. Ye ken what tae do.”

“Aye,” Rory said quickly and set out at a run toward the front doors. The sound of men fighting a fierce battle poured through the doors as Rory disappeared into the light of the fading sun.