The Recruit (Highland Guard #6)(77)

She cried out again, a rush of heat pooling between her thighs.

His slow seduction slipped. He let out a growl and covered her mouth with his, cupping and squeezing her breast with all the frenzy she could have asked for.

His incredible chest was leaning over her, naked and warm. She didn’t have to tell herself to reach up and put her hands on him; it was instinctive. A shock of heat reverberated through her at the contact. His skin was so smooth, which seemed incongruous with the hard granite of his muscles below. Muscles that flexed and flared at her touch as her hands roamed over the broad spans of his shoulders and back.

His kiss was growing more passionate by the second, more aggressive, his tongue plunging into her mouth with wild, carnal abandon.

She could feel the hard press of his erection against her thigh. Feel his hands sliding between her robe to push it apart.

Yes, she thought. This was exactly the way she wanted it. Hurried and frenzied. Hot and passionate.

She moaned her encouragement, her hands slipping down his back to settle at his waist, pulling him more urgently against her.

But he had more control than she. Just when she thought he was going to loosen his breeches, toss up her skirts, and plunge inside, he drew back with a harsh grunt. “Not so fast, little one. We have all night, and I intend to use every minute of it.”

Kenneth saw her eyes widen with something that almost looked like fear.

“Is th-that … necessary?” His gaze narrowed, and she explained hastily. “It’s just that I’ve had a long day, as I’m sure you have. I’m rather tired.”

Tired? When a few seconds ago she’d been writhing in his arms, her body a lit keg of black powder getting ready to explode?

His mouth fell in a hard line, suspecting what this was about. Apparently, she still wanted only one thing from him. But he had no intention of letting her dictate the terms of their marriage bed. Unwittingly, his bride had just set down a challenge to a man who couldn’t resist one.

He hid his irritation behind a complacent smile. “Of course. I understand. We can go as fast or as slow as you like.”

Her brow furrowed skeptically. “Really?”

“Really.”

He was just going to make sure she never wanted it to end.

She eyed him warily.

Smart lass.

Without preamble, he started to loosen the sash at her waist. She caught his hand. “Wh-what are you d-doing?”

“We can’t very well get this over with, with you wearing all these clothes.”

Her eyes widened again, and she clenched the edges of her robe against her chest protectively. “I like these clothes.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. You can leave on your chemise, but take off the robe.” He gave her a taunting smile. “It will go faster if it doesn’t get in the way.”

Her eyes narrowed, guessing that he was up to something. Surprisingly, for once, she did as he asked. Sitting up, she loosened the sash, shrugged the robe from her shoulders, and tossed it on the trunk at the foot of the bed.

He drew in his breath, momentarily distracted by the body revealed by the thin, achingly translucent piece of linen. Her br**sts strained against the fabric, having obviously grown larger than the garment was originally designed to fit. The pleasant handful that he recalled from before had swelled into two firm, round mounds as big and ripe as peaches. Her pearl-sized ni**les were taut and straining against the fabric.

He felt his c**k do the same.

He glanced sharply away, smothering a pained groan, before he got distracted. Hell, he was already distracted. But his wee wife had drawn the battle lines, and he was going to do whatever it took to win.

He stood and began to work the ties of his breeches, which given the state of his arousal wasn’t easy.

She made what sounded suspiciously like a squeak. “What are you doing?”

He smiled, having finally managed to free himself. “I sleep naked.”

“You d-do?”

“Every night.”

Her eyes met his. He could see the frown start, almost as if she’d guessed his plan. But before she could say anything, he slid his pants down.

She made a strangled sound in her throat and he tried not to laugh. Stepping out of the legs, he kicked the breeches aside. Naked as one of those Greek statues he’d seen pictures of once, he stood proudly before her. If she liked his body, well then, she was going to see a whole hell of a lot of it.

He glanced to the bed, pleased to see his actions had elicited the appropriate response. She was staring at him as if she were trying to commit every inch of his flesh to memory.

But she was more stubborn than he’d anticipated. Her eyes flew to his. She licked her lips. “Would you mind blowing out the candles. I’m afraid I’m feeling quite shy.”

His mouth tightened. The little vixen! She didn’t have a shy bone in her passionate little body. He was about to refuse when she said, “Unless you find it difficult to perform in the dark.”

He nearly choked. Him have difficulty performing? God, didn’t she see the size of his erection? But he clenched his jaw, hearing her challenge. Without a word, he stalked over to the candelabra on the sideboard and blew them out. The lamp at the bedside table as well.

The room went dark for a moment, but when his eyes adjusted, he realized there was still a soft glow of light coming from the coal in the fireplace.