"Beautiful," he breathed, his hands hovering just above her shoulders, not quite touching.
His fingers traced the delicate line of her collarbone, making her shiver.Her hands came up to work at the brooch holding his plaid, her movements becoming more confident as she saw the effect her touch had on him.
The heavy wool fell away, followed by his shirt, and Fiona's eyes widened as she took in the broad expanse of his chest, marked with old battle scars.Her fingers traced one particularly long scar that ran from his shoulder to his ribs.
"Does it pain ye?"she asked softly.
"Not anymore," he said, catching her hand and pressing it flat against his heart."Not when ye touch me like that."
She grew bolder then, her hands exploring the planes of his chest and shoulders while he groaned her name.When his fingers moved to the hem of her shift, she tensed slightly.
"What troubles ye, lass?"
Her eyes dropped, and she bit her lip."My leg...the scar from my injury.It's...unsightly.And I ken ye've been with other women who are not blemished."
Connor's heart clenched at the vulnerability in her voice.He lifted her chin with gentle fingers, forcing her to meet his gaze."Fiona, ye are perfect to me.Every part of ye."
He lifted the shift over her head with reverent care, and when she instinctively moved to cover herself, he caught her hands."Please, let me see ye.All of ye."
The sight of her naked in the candlelight stole his breath.She was all soft curves and smooth skin, more beautiful than any woman he had ever known.His eyes found the scar on her thigh, a pale line against her skin, and he dropped to his knees before her.
"Connor, what are ye—"
Her words dissolved into a gasp as he pressed his lips to the scarred flesh, kissing it with infinite tenderness."Every part of ye is beautiful, Fiona.This scar shows yer strength, yer survival.It's part of what makes ye who ye are."
Tears sparkled in her eyes as he rose and lifted her in his arms, carrying her to the bed.He laid her down gently, then quickly shed the rest of his clothing.Her eyes went wide at the sight of his arousal, and he saw both nervousness and curiosity in her gaze.
"I'll be gentle," he promised, settling beside her on the bed."We'll go slowly."
His hands and lips began a slow exploration of her body, learning every curve and hollow that made her gasp and arch beneath him.When his mouth found her breast, she cried out, her fingers tangling in his dark hair as he suckled gently at the peaked nipple.
"Connor," she breathed, his name a prayer on her lips.
"I ken, love," he murmured against her skin."I feel it too."
His hands roamed lower, and when he touched her most intimate place, she gasped and tensed."Trust me," he whispered, his fingers gentle and patient until she relaxed and began to move against his touch.
Her own hands grew bold, exploring the hard planes of his body, marveling at the strength barely leashed beneath her palms.When she wrapped her fingers around his hardness, he groaned and buried his face in her neck.
"Fiona, if ye keep doing that..."
"What?"she asked innocently, though her eyes danced with newfound feminine power.
He laughed roughly."Wicked lass."But he loved seeing this confident side of her emerge.
When he settled between her thighs, she tensed slightly."Will it hurt terribly?"
"A little, at first," he said honestly."But I'll make it as easy as I can.Tell me if ye want me to stop."
She nodded, her hands gripping his shoulders as he spread her thighs wide and positioned the tip of his hardened length at her entrance then slowly pushed inside.Connor watched her face for any sign of pain.She gasped and her nails dug into his skin, but she didn't ask him to stop.
"Breathe, love," he murmured.He used his thumb to relentlessly rub her hooded pearl as he thrust forward.He felt her arousal as her sheath stretched to envelop his size until he thrust home and was fully seated within her.
Connor held himself still waiting for her body to adjust."The worst is over," he whispered as he kissed her gently on the lips.
Indeed, after a moment, Fiona began to relax around him.Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his, and he saw wonder there instead of pain.
"How do ye feel?"he asked, his voice strained with the effort of remaining still.
