Highland Escape - Cathy MacRae Page 0,78

our children? Or make sure Ciardun runs smoothly whilst I am riding with Duncan, seeing to the needs of our clan and defending our borders?” Anna asked.

“Dear God, ye cannae be serious?” Mairi asked, a stricken look on her face.

“I am quite serious. I explained to your son that simply because we marry doesn’t mean I will cease doing what I have done all my life. I will gladly make compromises, particularly whilst breeding, but being wed will not change who I am.”

Mairi laughed. “I can see ye and I will have plenty to discuss during our afternoon talks. I may yet surrender to those convulsions ye spoke of, if this indeed is what the future holds.”

Chapter 20

Once finished with her bath, Anna fed Trean from the tray brought up from the kitchen, then returned to Duncan’s bedside, the wolf pup at her heels. Nessa gasped, her eyes wide as Anna and Trean entered the room. Slipping from her chair, she knelt on the floor, patting the rug with her hand. Trean eyed her, but showed no signs of accepting her invitation.

“Trean is a wolf, Nessa. He may grow to trust you, but he is not likely to want to cuddle.”

Nessa tilted her head, her lips pursed in a moue of disappointment. “I think he is adorable!”

Anna chuckled. “I do not think he will be adorable when he loses his baby fat.”

“Come, Nessa. ’Tis time we took our leave.” Mairi grasped Nessa’s hand and helped her to her feet. Breaking free at the door, Nessa ran to Anna, gripping her in a fierce hug.

“Thank ye for saving my brother’s life. I couldnae ask for a better sister.”

“On the morrow, if you fetch breakfast, I will tell you all about the handsome Blaine Graham,” Anna teased, hugging her firmly.

Nessa pulled away, a huge smile on her face as she kissed Anna’s cheek and followed her mother from the room.

Duncan slept soundly. Resisting the urge to crawl into bed with him, Anna poured a cup of chamomile tea and banked the fire while Trean created a cave beneath Duncan’s bed. Satisfied her betrothed was comfortable, Anna settled into the cushioned chair next to his bed, staring into the coals until sleep found her.

The next morning, she woke at first light. She stroked Duncan’s hair, feeling his cool forehead. He stirred at her touch and pulled her into bed with his uninjured arm. She feathered soft kisses over his face, neck and lips, careful to not place any pressure on his wounds.

“I love ye, Anna Braxton,” he whispered.

“As I love you, Duncan MacGregor.” Anna realized saying the words echoed the truth of them in her heart. She checked the skin around his dressings. Satisfied to find no swelling, she settled into his embrace, vibrantly aware of every point their bodies touched. “May I do something for you?”

“Touch me. I love it when ye touch me.”

Smiling, Anna stroked his face and neck, using light touches to caress. She moved her hand through the opening of his shirt, skimming across his shoulders. Tracing the lines of his collarbones, her fingers brushed the muscles of his chest. He closed his eyes with a contented sigh. She continued her path, stopping at his nipples, which hardened under her touch. Curious, she circled first one, then the other with her fingers. His breath hitched and his face hardened.

“Do you like that?” Anna asked softly.

“Very much,” he whispered.

Emboldened by her ability to affect him so, she continued her slow exploration down his ribs to his smooth stomach. At her touch, his muscles rippled beneath her hand and his hips moved slightly, his breathing labored.

Feeling brave and delighted she pleased him, Anna slowly slid her hand lower and felt the firm tip of his manhood. Curious, her fingers trailed further. Duncan’s eyes flew open and his body stiffened. She sucked in a startled breath as his hand covered hers.

“Anna, please.” He inhaled sharply.

“Did I hurt you?”

He gave her a tight smile of assurance. “Nae, just the opposite. Ye have no idea how good it feels.”

Buoyed by his words and her discovery, she shifted her position over him and splayed her free hand over his chest. His grip tightened. She dragged his leine upward, leaving his body to her view. Her belly tightened as she perused him, her fingers following her slow gaze. A low murmur of approval from Duncan, as his cock strained upward, urged her on.

Her touch grew bolder and she wrapped her fingers around his rigid staff, squeezing