The Highlander's Secret(55)
Alan then undid a portion of his own plaid and cut the fabric from his garment to place on Jain himself. The material was hung across her chest like the previous one, but this time having it been presented by her husband meant that he took her under his protection. To everyone’s surprise, Alan presented her with the dragonhead brooch that had come with her from the ashes of her village to secure it in place.
Tears of joy pricked at the corners of her eyes as the priest pronounced them man and wife. Alan pressed his lips against hers and Jain sighed, leaning into his embrace.
The onlookers clapped and burst into applause. Alan and Jain walked down the aisle together. When they stepped outside, a warm September sun glistened in the sky. A celebratory feast was set up in the village green, decorated with autumn colors of orange and yellow flowers not unlike the harvest festival they’d had before. A reason to celebrate was precisely what the people of Elign needed after Keenan’s death, to lift their spirits and give hope for a bright future ahead.
The village green was a bustle of commotion as men and women came to offer their congratulations to the new couple. Musicians played their instruments on the grass while others set up a bonfire. Their revelry lasted most of the afternoon, with people dancing at the bonfire and everyone having splendid time.
The sun grew low on in the distance and Jain grew weary of all the well-wishers, wishing to be alone with her new husband. He turned to her in the midst of the crowd and took her by the hand. She glanced up at him and smiled.
“Are ye very well, my dear?”
“I’m ready to have some privacy,” Jain whispered.
Alan nodded, and they eased their way towards the path down to the farm. With Eamon and Moira living in the keep, her father gifted the land to them as a wedding present. As chieftain it was his prerogative to allocate their resources and grant land to those who needed it. It was a perfect solution for all of them, the farm never went unused and the newlywed couple had a home that they could live in. They ran down the hill together hand in hand until arriving at the stone cottage.
Alan took her in his arms when they reached the threshold to kiss her lips and savor the moment while they held each other tight.
*
Alan fumbled with the door behind him desperately grasping for the handle, but all he could think about was Jain. It was so easy to lose himself in her and forget about everything else. Her kisses were the sweetest and most addictive thing he’d ever experienced. When they touched, it took all his willpower to keep from ravishing her completely and devouring those lips as if they were as vital to him as breathing. Alan couldn’t get enough of her – she was everything.
With her body flush against the door behind them, his hand eventually gave way and caught hold of the metal handle to let them both inside. He stumbled in after her and closed the door behind them, leaving her warmth just long enough to ensure their privacy. She looked so beautiful in her blue surcote and the flowers woven in her hair, Alan could scarcely believe that Jain was his. His wife. It wasn’t a dream that he’d wake up from in the morning, they were together as man and wife.
Slowly, he walked over to where she stood and cradled her face within his hands. She gazed up at him with those impossibly green eyes of hers and pleaded with him silently. Her lips parted as he brushed one of his thumbs against her cheek and helped her remove the veil.
The plump, sweet, fullness of her lips called to him in longing and begged for him to taste them. Alan was all too eager to enjoy that luxury and set the veil down on the table and returned to Jain at last.
When their lips touched, it ignited every nerve within his body. It wasn’t a desire; it was a need to be connected to her body. Their breathing was ragged as Jain removed his sash and pulled the linen shirt over Alan’s head. Her eyes widened at the sight of his bare chest and the muscles that he kept hidden beneath the fabric. Rather than letting such a reaction go to his head, Alan was merely pleased that she was satisfied. Jain’s eyes darkened and she slid her hand across his stomach, looking up at him with a smile.
“I’m ready,” she whispered softly.
He didn’t need any further encouragement before kissing her once again. Their hands were everywhere, shedding each other’s clothing and tossing them to the floor. Alan’s hands reached behind her and deftly undid the lacing of Jain’s surcote until she eventually shed that too and stood before him in nothing but her kirtle. Alan’s jaw fell open as he stared at her in awe, taking in every curve and semblance of beauty that his vision would allow. She was the most perfect thing he’d ever seen.
Jain kissed him and placed her hand on the back of his hand, leading him over to the bed. The waves of her red hair fell down around his face, smelling of strawberries and honeysuckle.
Alan placed his hand against her cheek and deepened their connection, while laying her back against the mattress. She responded to his touch by arching her back in welcome and pulling the weight of him down on top of her. Carefully, she spread her knees apart.
“Jain,” he moaned between haggard kisses. “My wife.”
“Always and forever,” she gasped.
Alan growled, silencing her with another kiss and positioned himself between her legs. “Always and forever,” he repeated. “That’s how long I will love ye, Jain. Until my dying breath.”
He looked down at her beneath him, meeting the calm of her emerald green eyes. Her lips curved up unto a smile as one of his hands caressed her cheek. They gazed into each other’s eyes as he leaned into her and consummated the vows they had made. Jain gasped at the contact and threw her head back against the pillow. Her back arched in a fit of passion and he waited for her to get used to him before moving once again.