The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,71
she’d finished a book and suddenly discovered there was another volume. While there had been hints of things yet to come, the discovery was as startling as opening her eyes for the first time.
Never had she imagined the sheer scale of wonder awaiting her.
Faolan stroked her. His hands moving over her skin like she was crafted of the finest velvet. She lay her head back against his wide shoulder, letting her hands rest on his hard thighs. The darkness beyond the firelight was the perfect frame for the moment. Cora drifted away on soft waves of sensation. The heat began to build inside her, little by little, with every slow stroke.
*
Faolan didn’t rush this time. He was savoring the moments which lead up to the point when he lifted Cora off her feet. He cradled her against his body, walking toward his bed with unhurried steps.
He wanted to feel her heart beating.
Wanted to listen to each little gasp she took when he found just the right way to touch her.
He’d been too hurried before to taste her nipples. Each one was a tiny rosebud that drew into a hard point when he took the time to flick them with his tongue. He closed his mouth around one and drew upon it. Cora made a little sound of delight, which sent heat into his member. He nuzzled a path to the opposite breast and gave it the same treatment.
This time she arched. Rising up off the bed to offer the peak to him. Her hands were on his upper arms, her fingers splayed wide as she clutched him closer.
He wanted to do so much more, and yet, he couldn’t seem to hold back the urge to roll over her. Somehow, being beside her was too far away to tolerate.
He needed to be closer.
An intense spike of satisfaction went through him as she cradled him between her thighs. Her embrace held a welcome he’d never believed possible between a man and woman.
She let out a little sound as he entered her. A cross between a growl and a purr. The sheer uncivilized nature of it stroked a chord deep inside him. Down where the part of his personality which had never been tamed lived.
Cora opened her eyes, and he saw the desire glittering there.
It wasn’t coy like Noreen’s had been.
Something new ripped through him, a sense of discovery that surprised him.
It was like finding out that fables were real.
Afterward, Faolan lay beside Cora, attempting to decipher his feelings. His lust was satisfied, and yet, he still craved her company. In fact, he was certain he’d rip into anyone who made the mistake of opening the chamber door and interrupting them. He was possessive and defensive.
Was it love?
Was the need pulsing through him to cuddle Cora close that thing which had driven his mother to her ruin? If so, he should have considered it something to be wary of for he’d seen his mother suffer for years because of her choice to follow her heart. His father hadn’t formed as deep a connection as she had. He’d moved on to another favorite and another throughout the years. His mother had simply been one of a handful of companions who his wife tolerated until the attraction wore off. Once that happened, the discarded female had been put out, and his father hadn’t offered even a silver penny to help any of them.
Seems ye are no’ too much like yer sire, laddie…
Such was a pleasant thought. For Faolan had never been able to completely harden his heart against his mother. Because if she had not followed her heart, he would not have been born. Aye, his life had been hard, but it had made him strong.
Strong enough to hold onto the position of laird. When it had first landed on him, he’d not been too interested. It was a duty. Another one he was expected to shoulder because of who had fathered him.
Now, he smoothed his fingers along Cora’s bare arm.
Well now, being laird meant he had the right to lay with Cora and keep her as his wife. All of the duties and lack of rewards was suddenly worth every bit of suffering he’d endured because he’d arrived at a place where he might enjoy the fruit of his efforts.
He’d not seen it coming.
Faolan slowly smiled in the dark. Malcolm had certainly done his best to ensure Faolan never laid his head down inside the McKay stronghold.