Page 36 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

He could barely catch his breath when he finally pulled away. “We should stop now, before we go too far.”

He felt her nod rather than saw it, and she retreated to her side of the bed. Before he fell asleep, he reached across the empty space between them and found her hand. Then he laced his fingers through hers.

He was glad for the darkness because it hid his big smile.

Over the next few nights, they’d kissed each other before going to sleep. And each night the kiss had become deeper—more intimate. He’d not dared to do anything more. He’d vowed not to ruin things between them by pushing for too much.

Their nightly kiss was all she’d given him permission for, though he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t hoping they were moving toward more together. He was a man, after all, something his body made a point of proving at the most inconvenient of times.

This night, when he stepped inside, he was happy to see she was still awake. She’d taken down her hair and was brushing it to a high shine. The candle on the stand by the bed cast shadows across her night rail, but he thought he had made out the shape of a pert nipple in the thin fabric as she walked to the bed.

He smiled down at Gwennie before bending to place a kiss on her head and whispering a wish for good dreams. He removed his boots and stockings then unbuckled his weapons belt and the belt that held his kilt. He draped everything on the appropriate pegs and slid into bed in just his shirt. His bare leg brushed up against Ev’s and once again his body incorrectly took it as a sign that something was to happen tonight.

“May I—” He didn’t even get the question out before his wife lurched toward him. Her lips pressed against his for a moment before she opened to him. He slipped his tongue in the warmth of her mouth.

While he didn’t allow his hands to roam, she didn’t adhere to the same rules. The fingers of her right hand grasped his shoulder as she tangled the fingers of her left hand in his hair, holding him tightly in place. Not that he had any intention of moving away.

When she slid her leg up the outside of his to rest on his hip and pressed against him, he gasped and pulled away.

“Liam, please. I need you,” she whispered.

He blinked and shook his head. He must have some kind of madness brought on by frustration. He was hearing things his wife wouldn’t say. Except she said it again. He watched as her lips moved and she reached for him, pulling his lips to hers again. His hand was on her breast and he had no recollection of whether he’d placed it there or if she had.

It didn’t really matter, as his hand was filled with her warm breast and he was overwhelmed. It was quite clear what she needed from him, the way she rocked her hips and searched his mouth with her tongue. He needed her just as badly and had for some time. Years, if he was being honest.

Then he heard a mumble from the opposite side of the room. From her much lower bed, Gwennie wouldn’t be able to see what was happening in the higher bed. But could she hear them?

He raised his head and saw she was still asleep. But for how long? He didn’t want her to be afraid if she was awakened by…sounds. Christ.

“Wait. Ev.” He held her away from him even as she tried to pull him closer with her legs. “Gwennie,” he whispered.

“We’ll be very quiet.”

But he couldn’t risk it. “I canna do this with her in the room. What if she wakes and thinks I’m hurting you?”

“Then be quick.”

“When the time is right, I will take my time to make sure you reach your pleasure first. Now is not the right time. I don’t want you to regret anything between us.”

“Liam, I promise I won’t regret anything. I ache for… something. You.”

This was not what he’d wanted their first time together to be. A quick and quiet tupping in the dark. He’d wanted her for so long he longed for the chance to explore her body.

He’d seen only parts of the women he was with in the past. No clothes were removed, just pushed aside, hinting at what was under them. He had a room now, and privacy. He wanted to do things right. Which, to him, meant naked.

“Tomorrow. We’ll allow her to sleep in the solar with the other children. When we’re alone, I can see to you properly.”

Her only answer was a frustrated groan as she rolled away from him. Her hair covered her face, but he brushed it away to see her better. He’d planned to say something funny to lighten the situation, but he saw tears glistening on her cheeks and panicked.

“Ev? What is it? What’s wrong?” He was certain he’d made a muck of things, but he wasn’t certain how exactly.

“Do you not want me because I’m soiled?”

“Soiled?” He looked down at her pristine gown in confusion. She smelled like clean woman and freshly baked bannocks.

“Because I’ve been ruined.”

“Oh.” He startled when he realized what she was saying. “Don’t ever think that. You’re not soiled or ruined. You’re perfect. You have no idea how much I want you, but this is your first time.”