Page 42 of Her Accidental Highlander Husband

She smiled briefly before focusing intently on him. Her fingers traced over his many scars. Some were no more than nicks and scratches along the surface of his skin. Some were deeper wounds he’d thought might end him.

“You are beautiful as well, husband.” She frowned. “I hope you are not offended. I guess that was not an appropriate compliment for a man.” She licked her lips nervously. Not in the seductive way some of the lasses in the village did it.

He knew she was no longer afraid of him in the physical sense. But he could see she was uneasy about the act they were moving toward.

“I am not offended,” he reassured her as he took her trembling hand and held it tight against his heart. “If ye don’t want to do this, we won’t. We have plenty of time to make sure you’re comfortable.”

She winced and glanced away. “That’s just it. I don’t think it’s possible for me ever to be comfortable.”

“Did he hurt you in that way as well?” Cam asked.

He’d not considered that possibility. Probably because the thought of anyone forcing her repulsed him. He stepped back. He’d not add to her pain. His needs were nothing when compared to her anxiety.

She shook her head. “No, that’s the thing. He never touched me in that way. I am still a— I’m a virgin.”

…

Cameron stepped away from Mari so fast one might think she was infested with fleas. Her heart hurt at his reaction, but his shock quickly changed to confusion.

“But… You were married for years.”

“Yes. And throughout all the horrific days of our life together, he never consummated our marriage.”

Cameron looked skeptical. She didn’t blame him; it did seem impossible. That someone so horrid had not taken liberties was one of the few things she had to be thankful for in the years of her marriage.

“I may not know exactly what goes on between a man and wife, but I know enough that I’m quite sure it never happened. Especially since my late husband never spent a moment in my bed.”

Cam nodded and looked at her breasts again. This time she didn’t attempt to shield herself from his gaze. He’d told her not to be ashamed. She wasn’t.

He walked around her, and she trembled under his gaze.

“You’re perfect, Mari. I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful in my life.”

He made his way around to her front. He didn’t flinch or skim over looking at her chest; instead, his eyes paused in their movement and he reached out to caress the side of her breast.

“I’m far from perfect.” She’d hardly seen herself in years, always looking away whenever she was naked in front of a looking glass.

“I know ye may hate what the scars mean to you, but they don’t detract from your beauty. Instead, I see strength and courage. I’m so glad you didn’t let him win. I would have missed out on knowing you.”

A tear slipped down her cheek when she thought of how close a thing it had been.

Cameron kissed the tear away and kissed her lips briefly. He stepped even closer and wrapped his arms loosely around her waist.

Leaning down, he pressed his forehead against hers. “I do not wish to speak of him again tonight, unless you need to tell me something. I feel we have been given a great gift. This first time for you will belong only to us. That is, if you wish to continue.”

“I do,” she said shyly.

He raised his head and smiled down at her. “My brave lass.”

He brushed her long hair back and rested his hands upon her shoulders. “We’ll ease our way through this together. I’ll trust you to tell me if I do something you like or don’t like. That way, we can slowly learn one another and build upon the enjoyment.”

She nodded. Impatient to get underway, she stood on tiptoe so she could reach his lips.

His tongue reached into her mouth, stroking hers, and she moaned at the contact. She might not be skilled, but she knew this was what it was supposed to feel like in a husband’s embrace.

Exciting, yet safe.

He laid her on the bed, and she scooted backward to make room for him. But he didn’t lie next to her, he crawled over her, not letting his weight rest on her but caging her in with his arms. Her heart raced for a fleeting moment, but when his lips touched her throat, her collarbone, her breasts, she let out the breath she’d been holding.