Page 65 of The Highlander’s Tempting Touch

Alistair might have replied, but Niamh continued speaking, her gaze hot and her words direct as blows from a sparring partner. “And, in any case, why must it fall tae me tae ask? Surely, the fact ye were cursed by yer former lover’s sister is something ye ought tae have mentioned afore the wedding ceremony!”

That was true, and a fair point. Alistair felt his anger wither as he considered it. He should have told Niamh about the curse, even if he couldn’t bring himself to tell her everything about the circumstances behind it.

On the other hand, it wasn’t as though he hadn’t told her anything. “I told ye that I didnae want tae marry, because I’d lost me first love, and it was dangerous tae be close tae me.”

“That’s nae the same as telling me about a curse. Or the circumstances behind yer lover’s death - which would have made me a good deal warier about goin’ out, had I kent them.” Niamh huffed.

Then her face softened, and before he could find a rebuttal, she stepped closer, her expression gentler as the anger faded away to weary resignation. “Alistair… I understand why ye didnae speak. I ken all too well what wounds loss can leave. Ye ken that.”

Her mother. She was talking about her mother, and the way she’d confessed her fear of child-bearing to him, telling him how she feared marriage, and any form of intimacy because her mother had died to bring her into the world. Some of Alistair’s anger faded at the reminder. “Aye.”

“I ken that ye wouldnae want tae re-live such grief. But can ye nae understand why I might need tae ken? Tae understand?”

He did understand. He would want to know such things too, if their positions were reversed. Alistair shook his head. “I’ll grant ye were safer on the path tae the witch’s home than ye would have been elsewhere, fer she hates MacTavish as much as she hates me. But even so, ‘twas foolish o’ ye tae go wanderin’ off without guards so soon after ye were nearly taken.”

“I ken. But I thought the guards might stop me, or misdirect me, and I was careful.” She smirked at him and produced the dagger he’d seen her use before. “I didnae go unarmed.”

“’Tis nae enough, but I suppose I must give ye credit fer it, especially since I ken ye can use it.” Alistair sighed.

The edge of worry and wariness still hummed in his blood, even though the anger had largely been vanquished. Knowing Niamh was safe was not enough, not after the strain of the past few days. It was almost instinct, rather than thought, that caused him to reach out and gather her into his arms and pull her close.

“Alistair!” Niamh yelped his name, but he let her get no further before he cupped her jaw and tipped her face up toward his.

“Hush.” He bent to meet her, claiming her lips in a kiss that held all of his need, his fear and his relief rolled into one.

Niamh tasted like tea and scones, with odd herbal flavors dancing around the familiar ones. Her lips were soft and pliant against his, and though she stiffened at the initial touch, she soon melted into his kiss, her mouth opening to grant him further access as he explored the sweetness and warmth of her.

He should stop. They both should. He could feel the heat of his desire growing, the burgeoning need in his groin swelling his manhood. But he hadn’t lain with his wife since their wedding night, save to sleep, and that was no longer enough for him either.

“Alistair… I…” Niamh was flushed and gasping as they broke the kiss, her chest heaving against his and her soft bosom teasing him with every inhalation she made. “I… I’m still…”

He kissed her again, then lifted her to carry her through to the bedroom. “Did I nae tell ye there’s many ways for a man tae pleasure a woman, and gain pleasure in return?”

“Ye… ye did…” She swallowed hard, the deep rosy color of her blush expanding to suffuse her throat and chest with the same warm, vibrant color. The sight made Alistair harden still further, and he had to set her on the edge of the bed and loosen the ties on his leggings before the pressure overwhelmed him.

“Let me show ye.” He bent to caress her jaw with one hand, while his other reached down to undo his boots so they could be kicked off and kicked aside.

“I…” She swallowed hard, and he saw her fear.

“Dinnae fret, ‘twill nae be more than ye’re ready fer.” His brushed his hand over her cheek.

“All right.”

How to start, now that she’d agreed? Alistair recalled the way she’d touched him in the bath. Then, it had been comforting, but now…

He reached down and lifted her to her feet. “Undress me and let me dae the same fer ye. The days since we last were taegether were many and busy, but I have desired yer touch every minute of them.”

Her hand reached for his belt, undoing the buckles, and Alistair felt a fine shiver run through his muscles at the feel of her fingers just barely brushing across his stomach. Then the belt was tossed away, and she reached for his kilt. He shook his head. “Shirt first, then leggings. Kilt last.”

Niamh moved her hands to his sash and shirt laces, and Alistair reached around, using his greater height and the length of his arm to find the laces at the back of her dress and tug the knots loose. As the cords loosened, he felt Niamh shiver against him and smiled.

He was not the only one who wanted yield to the sparks of passion between them, though her fear might keep her from seeing it.

The sash was discarded, and his shirt pulled free of his leggings and kilt. Alistair paused for a moment to remove it entirely and toss it aside, then turned his attention to the laces of her bodice. The dress was already loose, but underneath was her chemise. Besides, with the bodice loosened, he could simply let it slide to the ground.

Niamh’s breath hitched, her heartbeat under his hand racing as she slid uncertain hands under his kilt to undo the fastenings of his leggings. Alistair’s breath hissed between his teeth as her hands touched his aching erection, and Niamh jolted and looked at him with wide eyes. “Did I…”

“It didnae hurt lass. And I want ye tae touch me,” Alistair gave her a wolf’s smile and bent to whisper in her ear. “I promised I’d never tak’ anything from ye that ye didnae wish tae give, but I want yer touch, Niamh.”