When a Scot Ties the Knot (Castles Ever After #3)(73)

“Logan, please. I’m too close to—-”

He showed no signs of stopping. Or even acknowledging her pleas. To the contrary, he redoubled his efforts, nuzzling and licking her to a fierce, sudden climax.

“That’s unfair,” she pouted between labored breaths. “You wouldn’t even let me touch you.”

He released her arms and sat back on his haunches.

“It’s better this way. The joining will go easier for you if you’ve already found your peak.” He caressed her cheek. “I’ve no wish to hurt you.”

As he settled himself between her thighs, she slid her hands up his bare arms, enjoying the contours of his strength.

“Ready?” he asked, positioning himself on his elbows.

“Yes.”

Yes.

When he pushed inside her, it did hurt. Maddie had to bite her lip to keep from crying out. He nudged deeper in patient strokes, and she felt her body slowly stretching to accommodate his.

When at last he was fully seated within her, he remained motionless for a long moment. Just holding her, as she held him. Her body began to relax.

“Are you well?” he asked.

She nodded.

He carefully withdrew a fraction, then pushed back in, reaching a new depth within her. They both groaned.

“You’re so tight,” he murmured, sounding concerned.

“I think it’s more that you’re so big,” she said. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m fine.”

He went slowly at first.

But slowly didn’t last long. Soon a more urgent rhythm took hold as his thrusts increased in both speed and intensity.

The force of his passion took her breath away, but Maddie would be damned before she’d ask him to stop. She loved feeling just how much he wanted her, just how desperately his body needed hers to be complete.

He began to murmur words she didn’t understand. Little sweet promises in Gaelic, or so she flattered herself to think. Even though she couldn’t decipher their meaning, there was no mistaking the tone in his voice. It was one of raw emotion. She was certain she heard a few familiar phrases in the mix: Maddie.

Mo chridhe.

Na tréig mi.

She wrapped her legs around his hips and clung to his shoulders, holding him as tight as she could.

Then he reached a point where there were no more words. He braced himself on one elbow and slipped the other arm beneath her waist, drawing her body tight against his. When he thrust, his cock reached a place so deep inside her that she felt him everywhere.

After a few final thrusts, he shuddered and groaned. He slumped atop her and buried his face in her neck. She put her arms around his shoulders, hugging him close.

They lay there together, just breathing.

Her heart had never been so full.

All too soon, she began to hear noises from the lower floors of the tower. The men and the servants were returning from the bonfire.

“Perhaps I should go down to meet them.” She started to rise from bed.

“No, no. Where do you think you’re going, Mrs. MacHasty?” He grabbed her arm and pulled.

She laughed as she tumbled back to the bed. “What did you call me?”

“I believe . . .” He rolled to face her and gazed at her wonderingly. “I called you my wife.”

“Are we fully married this time?”

“Of course we’re married.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re verra, verra sure?”

“We’ve just consummated the relationship, Maddie. I warned you, once I held you this way . . .” His eyes grew intense. “You can’t ask me to let you go.”

“Oh, Logan. I’m not asking that. I want to be your wife. More than anything. I was only teasing when I asked if you were sure.” She brushed the hair back from his brow. “I’m so sorry.”

His stormy expression didn’t clear.

She skimmed a touch down his bare chest, nestling close. “Believe me, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than here. With you.”

The men downstairs would have to fend for themselves.

She pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw, then slid her tongue down his neck, willing the corded tendon there to relax.

It had been thoughtless of her to tease him that way, knowing what she knew now about his childhood. It might be months, even years, before those nightmares ceased and he stopped worrying she’d abandon him the moment he gave her the chance.

Tomorrow she would commence finding other ways to reassure him.

For tonight, she hoped kisses would make a good start.



Chapter Twenty-four

In the morning, Logan woke alone. He knew a moment of bleary--eyed, unreasoned panic—-until he found a note on the pillow beside him.

My dearest Captain MacSleepy,

Forgive me. I didn’t want to disturb your well--earned rest. When you wake, your breakfast will be waiting downstairs.

Your loving wife

Wearing a shirt, loose trousers, and an unabashed grin, he entered the hall. His men sat assembled about the long table.

Logan cleared his throat. “Good morning.”

All heads swiveled to face him. They regarded him in silence for a moment. And then, to a one, they rose to their feet and broke out in spontaneous applause.

“Huzzah.”

“At last!”