“You were very wrong.” Cameron winked and traced a finger across her bare stomach. “You’re stunning.”
Her lips pulled up slightly so he would know his words pleased her. What woman didn’t want to feel attractive?
Leaning over, he kissed her, and she responded by melting against him. Her soft curves matched perfectly against his hard muscles. She gasped when his male hardness jabbed her in the side.
“As you can see, I don’t have any problems responding to you. It wasn’t you. Don’t think it for a minute.” He kissed along her jaw and down her neck.
Her soft moan of arousal spurred him to move lower. He bent so he could draw in one of her nipples.
“I had planned to be the courteous lover who gave you peace today, but I must beg ye to forgive my eagerness to call upon you again. I can’t seem to help myself.”
“I am just as eager to receive you.” She laughed at the way they made it sound like a visit.
When he pulled her under him, her laughter drifted off into a different form of bliss.
Chapter Eighteen
Mari rested her hand on Cam’s arm and allowed him to escort her down for a rather late morning meal. He noticed the slowness of her gait and frowned.
He’d hurt her despite his promise. Damn it!
When they’d finally left their bed, he aided in washing her body, and she helped him with his. Then he helped her dress for the day, putting an extra knot in her corset as a reminder he needed to let her recover from the enthusiasm of his ardor.
She nearly fell on the last step, and he supported her, turning her to face him.
“God, I’m sorry, Mari. I was too rough with you.”
“No.” She smiled. “It’s my ankle that still bothers me.”
He blinked, having forgotten about the earlier injury he’d caused. “I can’t ever seem to do right by ye.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I feel very right this morning.” She gave him a saucy wink that might have made him grab her up and carry her back to their room if not for knowing of that blasted knot in her strings.
“Shall I carry you to the table?” he offered. “I wouldn’t mind having a reason to press your body against mine. And not just because it would disguise my obvious discomfort.” He glanced down at the place where his kilt tented out and wondered if he’d ever grow tired of making love to her.
…
The answer turned out to be no. At least not in the three weeks since Cam first had Mari naked in his bed. Each night since, he had followed her to their chamber.
His men had mocked him in the mornings, calling him a needy pup, but he didn’t care. He simply smiled wide and pushed them harder during their drills as punishment.
If it had been just him, he might have found a way to rein in his urges, but Mari wanted him just as often, and he’d not let her go unsatisfied. It wouldn’t be the husbandly thing to do. Instead, he serviced her as often as she liked, and made sure to keep his heart secure. It was getting more and more difficult as she became familiar enough with him to be playful and happy. He still never got her to scrapping with him, but he knew it wasn’t from fear. They got on well, especially since he’d stopped doing things on purpose to anger her.
They fell into an easy routine. She would go to the kitchen in the morning with the other ladies, and he would push his men most of the day in drills. Later, he would make his rounds of the border.
Occasionally Mari would ride with him. Even more frequently, they would find a quiet place hidden in the trees to satisfy their needs when the time before retiring for the evening seemed too far away.
“I’d like to ride the borders with you today,” Lach told Cam as he headed for the stables.
But Cam had already made plans with Mari. He’d even shared his plans for what he wanted to do with her when they were alone.
“Aye?” Cam said.
“Och, it’s the first time I’ve seen you without a smile on your face in weeks. I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon interlude with your wife. If you don’t think you’ll make it the rest of the day without having your hands on her, by all means let me know, and I’ll stay behind.” Lach’s grin pulled up on one side.
“Bloody arse.”
Lach laughed at his displeasure.
“The least you can do is hurry along.” Cam sent Liam to inform Mari of the change in plans. He might have gone himself, but he didn’t know if he’d be able to leave her again if he saw her.
Lach was still snickering as they rode through the gates.
“I remember a time not so long ago when you and Kenna went to your chamber soon after the noon meal was served. I ken she’s too large to service ye at the moment, but I don’t have such problems.”
The other man laughed even louder. “You think we canna manage it in her condition?”
Cam’s brows creased in confusion. “Truly?”
“Aye. Some women have a mighty appetite when they’re increasing.” Lach winked at him. “Not just for food. You ken?”
With wide eyes, Cam stared at the man. “I don’t know how I’d survive a mightier appetite than Mari already has.”
“I’m sure you’ll try your best when the time comes. Make sure to eat when you have the chance. You must keep your strength up. Be ready for anything at any time.”
Cam shook his head. “It’s not something I plan to have to worry about.”
“Nay? You don’t want children?”
“How can you ask me such a question when you know I dinna even want a wife?”
“I thought things had changed.”
Things had changed. Cam cared for his wife and enjoyed her company in and out of bed, but his vow had not wavered.
