The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,53

and headed for the stairs. His head was pounding as he climbed. Tension knotted his shoulders far worse than he could recall ever having endured in his life.

Even when he and his mother had been turned out in the bitter cold.

Being laird was taxing, to say the least.

Faolan was contemplating a healthy pour of whiskey when he reached the outer doors of the chamber his wife was in. He rapped on it and pushed it open a moment later.

All thoughts of whiskey vanished instantly. She stood a few paces from him, her hair unbound and flowing down her back in naught but a shift as she reached up to close some window shutters. The light from a candle flickered behind her, illuminating her body beneath the thin linen.

Christ, he craved her…

*

“Ye are supposed to wait for me to invite ye in,” Cora informed him.

Faolan responded by firmly closing the door.

She stood still for a long moment. Her toes had been chilled, but now, there was warmth rushing along her limbs. She stared at the closed door, contemplating the choice Faolan was affording her.

He was her husband, after all.

And laird of the McKay.

His word was law now.

But he rapped on the door once more.

“Come in.” Her throat felt tight, and her tone was far huskier than she’d ever noticed. She felt a shift inside herself, like something was stretching and waking up. Time was moving very slowly, as well, allowing her to notice each second as she waited for Faolan to push the door inward.

Once he did, her heart accelerated. He truly was a huge beast, and yet, she found him almost unbearably attractive. His lips were pressed into a hard line, but they twitched as he took her in and noted that she hadn’t hurried to wrap herself in the dressing robe lying across the end of her bed.

Truthfully, she hadn’t even thought about modesty.

That’s because ye are smitten with him…

It was true. Cora didn’t bother to debate the point.

There was a movement behind Faolan. Cora gasped as she realized some Retainers had been trailing him. Faolan turned instantly in response. He sent the door shut with a hard motion that made it slam.

“I forgot about them.” Faolan turned back. “Me apologies, lass.”

She really should have been upset. But the truth was, Cora discovered herself blushing as she realized he’d been so intent on her, he’d forgotten everything else. A man such as Faolan didn’t lose his focus easily.

His eyes narrowed as his gaze lingered on her face. He moved closer, slowly closing the distance between them. She reached up to tuck some hair behind her ear, unable to stand still beneath his stare.

Faolan’s attention shifted to her hand, and his expression tightened. He reached out and grasped her wrist. Cora jerked back. He’d shifted so suddenly between a suitor and the man she’d met at the towers. It was a jarring change, one that sent her looking for space between them.

“Ye are no stranger to me touch, Cora,” Faolan groused. He settled the matter in his normal way.

By scooping her off her feet.

“Faolan.”

Her temper earned her a grin. Frustration flared up inside her, and she flattened her hands on his chest, pushing at him. He rewarded her with a wide grin.

“Ye are a beast, Faolan.”

“Aye,” he agreed as he walked toward the bed and sat her down on the mattress.

Cora laid back and watched passion flare in his eyes. There was no moment of trying to decide what it was. No, she understood fully now. In fact, the thing stretching inside of her was growing stronger in response. Her body was hot, her blood on fire.

There was a dark timbre in his tone, which made her shiver. Her belly was twisting with anticipation as he leaned so close, she caught the scent of his skin. It was insane the way she responded to it.

She pulled him closer by the fabric of his shirt. “I do enjoy yer personality, Faolan.”

He tilted his head so he might fit his mouth against hers. The kiss was firm, and it pleased her greatly. Cora tugged him even closer, nearly frantic to taste him in return. She wanted his kiss but needed to kiss him in return. All of the heat building up inside her demanded release.

Faolan’s chest rumbled. It was a growl which seemed to fit the moment perfectly. Words didn’t hold any appeal. Instead, Cora found herself dispensing with thought. All she wanted to do was respond and elicit a response from