“I love you, too,” he said in a husky murmur.
He released her hands and began to unbutton the jacket of his uniform.
She smiled as she watched him shrug out of it.
He winked at her. “This is quite the momentous moment, isn’t it?”
She laughed. “Yes, it is.”
“Are you ready for this, Syd? You need to be sure because there is no undoing it once it is done.”
She was shamefully eager, truth be told. “Octavian, you need to consider this next step, too. It is just as irrevocable for you. Once you claim me, there is no getting out of our marriage. The make-believe is gone.”
“Hallelujah,” he said without hesitation. “I never wanted our marriage to be a sham. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. What is your preference? Slow and romantic? Or wild and passionate?”
She laughed again. “It does not matter. I have a feeling we are going to do this every which way tonight. By the gleam in your eyes, I do not think it shall be one and done.”
“But it will be,” he said with affection, “if you are too sore. Syd, you need to be honest with me as we do this. I think you will like it, but I am big and you…well, you are going to be tight because you are untried.”
She smiled at him. “That is most considerate of you, but I doubt there will be a problem since I melt whenever you touch me. As you well know, since you are always so smug about it afterward.”
He grinned as he removed his shirt next.
Syd never tired of watching the beautiful flex and tension of his muscled torso. “Um, in truth, I think you know my body so well, that you will sense precisely what I need and at what moment.”
He removed the clips from her stylish curls and set them aside on the bureau. “It is not difficult to do. You are quite vocal when expressing your pleasure.”
“Octavian! I am not loud when…you know.”
“Love, they can hear you all the way to the Thames.”
She playfully swatted his shoulder. “Stop gloating! You are supposed to be complimenting me, not teasing me.”
“And you were never supposed to steal my heart. Gad, it happened so quickly. I lost it to you before I drew a second breath.” He turned her to face away from him in order to get at the laces of her gown. “You drive me wild, you little minx.”
“Minx?” She gave a soft, purring laugh when he nuzzled her neck.
“Yes.” He ran his hands all over her body, arousing her with remarkable efficiency.
Her skin tingled wherever he touched.
She sighed.
“Minx,” he whispered, nibbling her earlobe. “You’ll find the word defined in Samuel Johnson’s dictionary…an exceptionally attractive and playful woman who often causes trouble. Sound familiar? Particularly the trouble part.”
“That is completely unfair. Have I not been on my best behavior since marrying you?”
“Yes, if one overlooks poking Laird Armstrong’s son in the nose and drawing blood. Not to mention the clan war you almost started when taking on the MacGregors by yourself.”
“How could I ignore the poor Campbell girl in need of help? And how was this a bad thing when I got those merino sheep for the Armstrongs as reward?”
Once they were both fully undressed, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to bed. “Only you would still be obsessed with those blasted sheep.”
“They make the finest wool. Have you ever run your hands over anything softer?”
“Your sweet body, for one.” He eyed her with heat as he shifted over her, his body pressing lightly on hers as he dipped his head and covered her mouth in a kiss that left her breathless and aching for more of him. “I love you, Syd.”
What a stupid goose she had been to delay this moment for so long. “I love you, too.”
