stretched to accommodate him and then wondered how she’d been able to do so.
He kissed her again and then rested his forehead to hers, their eyes so close, all she could see was the thin ring of green that surrounded the dark pupils.
“Relax,” he said again. “I won’t hurt you.”
She raised her lips to meet his. This time their mouths met in a delicate dance, the tenderest of touches. “I know.”
And she did know. Somehow, she knew that this was different. There was no rush. No unpleasant shock to her senses. Her body melded to his, surrendering to his power and his need. To her need.
His hips moved forward with infinitesimal slowness. She opened around him as he slid deeper. The fullness overwhelmed her, but it wasn’t pain or surprise that rocked her body.
“Almost there,” he whispered.
Her eyes widened as he went even farther and then he stopped, lodged so deeply within her that she couldn’t breathe. He surrounded her, gathering her in his arms, holding her close as he began moving, a slow, seductive rhythm that had her mad with want.
The muscles in his back rippled and bulged. Her fingers danced across his flesh in a fr, seducc pattern as she sought purchase. Something to anchor herself with when she was adrift in a storm.
His movements increased, faster and more forceful. Their sighs caught and mingled in the air heavy with the scent of their loving.
“Wrap your legs around me,” he directed. “Hold me tight, lass.”
She wrapped her entire body around him until she was sure they were so inexorably entwined that they’d never come apart.
The burning sensation increased until she stirred restlessly, frantic for … release. Breathing hurt, so she didn’t, and her chest protested, but she held on, reaching for something she had no sense of.
And then she came apart, unraveling like the threads in an unfinished tapestry. She screamed, or tried to, but Ewan’s mouth closed over hers, and he swallowed her frantic cry.
She had no control of her body. She couldn’t think. Could only feel, helpless to do anything but lie in Ewan’s arms as he murmured soft words against her ears.
Utterly bewildered by what had occurred, she fixed unfocused eyes on her husband as an expression of agony creased his face. He gave one more mighty thrust, seating himself deeply within her body. Then he slumped over her, pressing her into the mattress as he gave her his seed.
She nestled her face into the hollow of his throat, so sated and completely boneless that she considered staying in bed for the next year. Ewan rested over her for a long moment before finally easing his weight from her and rolling to the side.
He gathered her into his arms and stroked her hair. Then he pressed a kiss to her temple and let his cheek rest against the side of her head.
Her befuddled mind couldn’t make sense of what had just happened. Only one thing struck strongly in her mind.
“Ewan?” she whispered.
It took him a moment to respond. “Aye, lass?”
“I was wrong.”
He stirred, rubbing his face against her cheek. “What were you wrong about?”
“You’re very skilled at loving.”
He chuckled and then hugged her tighter to him. Yawning broadly, she snuggled deeper into his arms and closed her eyes.
CHAPTER 16
When Mairin awoke, she was momentarily disoriented. She blinked away the fuzziness. Her head still felt muggy but her body, while only a little stiff and sore from her bruises, was surprisingly warm and sated. Limp, like she’d enjoyed a prolonged soak in a steaming tub of water.
Light perced through the window that no longer had the fur covering it, and the sun’s height told her she’d slept far later than she’d intended.
Gertie wouldn’t be pleased, and Mairin would have to wait for the noon meal. For that matter, it might be noon already.
The night came back to her in a rush. Heat centered low in her abdomen and scorched higher until her cheeks were flaming. She sat up, then realized she was completely nude. She grabbed the bed coverings and clutched them to her chin, then dropped them in disgust.
She was alone in the bedchamber. No one was going to see her. Still, she scrambled from the bed and hastily donned her clothing.
Her hair was in disarray and a quick feel of her cheeks told of the flush that was still there. She probably looked like a hot coal.
She’d actually told the laird that he wasn’t skilled at loving. Aye, he’d showed her differently. He’d done things that she hadn’t imagined two people ever doing. His mouth … and his tongue.
She flushed all over again and closed her eyes in mortification. How could she ever face him again?
Mairin adored Mother Serenity. She trusted her above all others. The abbess had been good to Mairin. And patient. Aye, she’d had the patience of Job when it came to instructing Mairin and answering all the questions Mairin had plied her with. But it was becoming increasingly clear that perhaps the abbess had left out a lot about loving. And kissing.
