The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,62

to the moment, allowing his senses to be filled with Cora’s scent.

Temptress.

His…

He pressed deep. She made a soft sound, and her hands tightened on his upper arms. But she lifted her hips for him, never shifting away.

He opened his eyes, not wanting to miss even a single detail. The moment was another on a list of things he’d long ago demanded he never even think about. Because reality was too cruel when it smashed his dreams.

Now, his length was buried deep inside a woman he’d never imagined might be his. She quivered but opened her eyes.

“Does it get better now?” she asked boldly.

Faolan felt his lips rise into a grin. He pulled back and pressed forward again. “I’ll make sure it does, lass.”

The effort cost him. He gritted his teeth and battled the need to rush toward the climax. Cora moved with him. Her passion awakening. The tiny sounds she made threatened to undermine his self-control and yet, at the same time, hardened his resolve to maintain his hold on his own needs until she peaked.

He held her through the moment, growling as he felt his control shredding and his seed beginning to flow. They strained toward one another, caught in the grip of rapture.

Faolan rolled to the side but gathered Cora close. He wanted to remain awake, just to savor the time when no one was there but her. To savor the time when he wasn’t less than worthy to claim her. In the morning, there would be judging eyes. Plenty of them. But for now, there was only the scent of Cora’s skin and the sound of her breathing as she fell into a deep sleep.

*

Gilmor’s fingers curled into a fist. He wanted to pound it into the tabletop but controlled the effort.

Matters would be far simpler if the marriage went unconsummated. The Mackenzies were a powerful clan. If Cora conceived, the Mackenzie would want to see it placed in charge of the McKay.

Faolan was long gone with his bride, though. The McKay Retainers were having a good chuckle over the way their new laird had carried her off. Faolan’s strength was legendary. Malcolm had banished him from the stronghold because he feared Noreen pushing him too far. Following them wouldn’t end in his favor.

So, there would be no preventing the consummation of the union.

But that didn’t mean he was without options. Gillmor’s gaze settled on Brynna. She was seated at the end of one of the long tables. As the champion of the mistress, she occupied a spot at the end of the table where she might keep an eye on Cora.

Brynna was enjoying her supper now that her mistress didn’t require attention. Gilmor had never taken much notice of the girl, for she was a foundling. A McKay who had found her way back into the clan because of her mother’s blood. She was barely accepted. Her prospects among the Retainers were poor at best. She should have lingered in obscurity at the towers, wedding quietly to one of the men sent there.

Now she was serving the mistress.

Many would say she had stumbled onto a fine bit of luck.

Gilmor decided it was precisely what he needed. He finished his supper and went in search of his aunt.

Chapter Eight

Yestin and Gainor opened the door of Faolan’s chamber at first light.

“It’s barely morn, ye bastards,” Faolan growled.

Cora let out a yelp as she rolled over the far side of the bed. She landed on her feet, and the cold floor connected with them. The sudden chill drove any remains of sleep away as she clamped her mouth shut to keep her teeth from chattering.

“Here now, Mistress.”

Brynna was suddenly there with a dressing robe. Cora happily unfolded her arms so she might be wrapped up. Faolan didn’t care a bit who saw him in only a shirt. He stood in the middle of the chamber as the two captains turned and gestured to several matrons who were hesitating in the doorway.

“Come forward and witness. This union is consummated.”

Cora felt her cheeks heat. Faolan was her husband, so there was no shame in the matter, and still, it chaffed to have so many people intent on knowing the intimate details of their night together.

Of course, she’d been raised to expect such.

That doesn’t make it any more palatable…

No, it didn’t.

But at least it was over.

Brynna guided her out of the chamber before any of the captains had time to see her. The matrons performed their duty well by forming a wall