She quickly explained it to him,and when she was done, Rory Mac looked to Iain. “I suppose we will head toAlex’s tomorrow.”
“Aye,” Iain replied. “He shouldknow that he might get English visitors on his land.” Iain’s tone had turnedsour.
Rory Mac nodded and then grinned.“Are ye nae worried Marion will be taken with the MacLean?”
Iain scowled. “I’m nae worried abit.”
“Why would you think I’d be takenwith the MacLean laird?” Marion demanded.
Rory Mac’s satisfied chuckle toldher she’d reacted exactly as he’d hoped. “He’s got quite the reputation, andthe lassies find him verra pleasing to their eyes. Some visiting ladies haveeven been known to slip into the MacLean’s bed when their own husbands areasleep.” Rory Mac wriggled his eyebrows at her.
“I’d never do such a thing,” Marionexclaimed, knowing she was only adding to Rory Mac’s pleasure at getting a riseout of her, but she could not help herself. “I can’t imagine a man moreattractive than my husband, and I’m sure he’ll please me so much in bed, I’dnever dream of another man!”
Angus broke into a coughing fit,Rory Mac roared with laugher and Iain gave her an approving yet amused look.She considered what she’d said, and heat flooded her cheeks. She wasn’t surewhat to say now. She did think Iain very attractive, and she was sure he wasvery capable of his husbandly duties. But heavens, she wished she’d not blurtedthat.
“Go away,” Iain demanded of themen, saving Marion from having to say anything at all. Rory Mac immediately departed,but Angus looked as if he might protest. “I wish to be alone with my wife,”Iain added before Angus could speak.
Angus still looked as if he wantedto argue, so she gave him a quick nod to let him know she would be fine, and henodded back, finally leaving Marion and Iain alone in the dark. She couldbarely see Iain’s face, but she could feel his heat and his power, as if itwere vibrating out of him. Suddenly, she wanted him to hold her, touch her,make her feel alive when she had almost died. The need grew fierce in aninstant, hampered only by the fear that she may not please him. Yet on thatfear came another. What if he thought of his dead wife, and he found Marionlacking in comparison? Before she could consider any more of her fears, heslipped his arm behind her legs and lifted her to his chest.
Her body instantly warmed at histouch. She slid her arms around his neck and locked her hands behind his head.“What are you doing?” she asked in a breathy whisper.
“I need ye, Marion. I need to ken ye’realive and nae harmed. I see ye and ye seem safe now, but I need the knowing thatonly being with ye as yer husband can provide. Is it too greedy?”
“No,” she croaked, a strangetightening occurring in her belly.
Iain walked some distance away,past the trees where they had rested earlier to a more private thicket. Ablanket lay on the ground, andhe kneeledand deposited her gently upon it. She thought he’d sit beside her, but instead,he stood looking down at her. The moon must have broken through clouds becauseshe could see the outline of his strong body, though not all the details of howhe was formed. She had a sudden sharp desire to feel him since she could notsee him, but she was too shy to ask.
Silently,hestoopedbefore her, lifted her again as if she weighed no more than a blade of grass,and settled her, straddling him, in his lap as he sat down. They were nowface-to-face, and he was hard as steel everywhere, and even though he was wetfrom the river, he was hotter than a blazing fire. Embarrassment caused her toshift, but his large hands clutched her hips.
“Be still a minute, Marion. I’mintent on being slow and tender with ye, but if ye move at all, I’m afraid I’lltake ye like a mindless beast, I want ye that much.”
His words made her feel oddly giddyand light-headed. “You want me that much?”
“Aye. It’s been a long time sinceI’ve been with a woman.”
“Youarea beast,” she growled,angry that she’d momentarily thought his need was solely due to her. It seemedany woman would do. She pressed her palms against his thighs to stand, but hecaught her around the waist and guided her firmly back onto his lap. Shewiggled to free herself, but it was no use. His fingers curled around herwaist, unmoving and unrelenting.
She tried to turn her face fromhis, but he took hold of her chin and made her look at him. Even in thedarkness, she could see his burning eyes. “I did nae mean it like that.”
“I don’t care,” she muttered,irritated with how much she actually did care. Why was she letting hope growinside when she knew he would hurt her?
“Ye do,” he said fiercely. “And Ilike verra much that ye care.”
“I don’t,” she protested weakly,her heart pounding. She didn’t want to let herself care for him if he was nevergoing to love her.
He cupped her face. “Listen to me.I ken I just hurt ye, and I’m sorry. I did nae mean I wanted ye simply becauseI’d nae been with a woman. I’ve had plenty of opportunity to ease my desire.Ken?”
“Iken,” she said, pleasedthat she’d not screamed at him as she wanted to. “Women must offer themselvesto you all the time. I suppose because you are an attractive and mighty laird.What is it you’re trying to tell me?” She poked him in the chest. “Are youtrying to tell me that you could ease your desire whenever you choose? That youdo not need me?”
He captured herfingerswith his when she poked him again. One of his large hands wrapped around hers,and the other delved into her hair to slip through her tresses and cup herhead. He brought her face so close to his that his warm breath fanned her lips whenhe spoke. “I’m trying to tell ye that I’ve nae wanted a woman since my wifedied. Though opportunity has been plenty, I’ve nae cared. I figured that partof me died with her. But it has nae. Ye have awakened me.”
“I have?” Her body tingled withshock and pleasure. If she personally had awakened that, maybe she could awakenhis heart in time.
He nodded and then brushed the padof his thumb across her mouth. The tingling intensified and her breasts grewheavy, her nipples taut.This…thishad to be desire. She lickedher lips, liking it very much. If simple desire felt this good, desire born oflove must feel like Heaven. She wanted Heaven.
He didn’t answer her. Instead, hecovered her mouth with his.The kiss wasconsuming, demanding, and showed her that he liked it as much as she did. Hislips massaged hers, and then his tongue slipped inside her mouth, swirling,teasing, taunting. She’d never been kissed before him, but she’d imagined quiteoften what a passionate kiss would be like. Yet her imagination had notcaptured it. Not really. Kissing Iain was like swimming in the water of the sea.It was like racing on one of her father’s horses with the wind whipping throughher hair. Like hitting a target in the center on the first try. It waseverything exhilarating she’d ever done combined, but it was so much more.
She could not think, except toconcentrate on the slide of his handdown her neck,over her back, and to her bottom. Suddenly, her gown was being pulled up overher thighs as his fingers deftly kneaded her skin. His mouth blazed kissesagainsthershoulder,across her collarbone, and toherlips.
