A Hellion at the Highland Court (The Highland Ladies #9) - Celeste Barclay Page 0,62
appropriate dowry,” King Robert snapped. “What he saves is his payment.”
“But—”
“Ross, pipe down and don’t sound like the wean your sister accused you of being.” King Robert didn’t wait for a response before he turned to the door. “You’re leaving, too.”
Monty cast a withering glare at the couple, but he was forced to follow the king’s order. King Robert, Monty, and two royal guards left Brodie’s chamber. The couple stared at the closed door for a long moment before they fell into one another’s arms.
“That went far better than I expected,” Laurel confessed. “I regret speaking out of turn, Brodie. I should have remained quiet. You should have been the only one to speak.”
“And miss you calling Monty a bairn?” Brodie shook his head with a grin.
“A wean. Bairns don’t have tantrums,” Laurel corrected.
“Laurel, I’m proud that you stood up for us. It means you want our marriage—will defend our marriage—just like I do. You’re intelligent and beautiful, a formidable combination. Men may underestimate you because of your beauty, but once they realize your intelligence, just like the king said, they will not want to run afoul of you. That’s why I’m proud of you.”
“No one has ever told me they’re proud of me. Not when I lived among my clan, and certainly never here. Granted, the latter was for good reason.”
“You may not be what every mon envisions as the perfect bride, but I am grateful for that. It means I am the lucky mon to call you wife. You are the perfect wife for me.” Brodie pulled the laces loose from Laurel’s gown. He stood back as she inched the fabric down her arms, then her ribs and hips until it pooled on the floor. He knew she’d purposely gone tantalizingly slow. But seeing her bare form in front of him left him with no patience. He tore his clothes off before lifting Laurel and carrying her to the bed. He laid her down, and she hurried to pull back the covers. They’d explored one another throughout the night, discovering sensitive and erotic places on each other’s bodies. The bunch and pull of Brodie’s muscular frame fascinated Laurel, who was previously unaware of the extent to which their bodies differed. Brodie reveled in Laurel’s responsiveness to his touch, and how her hands roamed over his body.
Laurel reached between them, braver than she had been early on, grasping Brodie’s length. The night before, she’d stroked as he’d shown her before his eyes rolled back, and he’d had to grip her wrist to pry her hand away. As they laid together on the bed, once more bringing him to the brink, Brodie captured both wrists in one hand and raised her arms over her head as he lowered his mouth to her breast, swirling his tongue over her nipple. His other hand lazily meandered to the thatch of curls at the apex of her legs. Laurel writhed in anticipation as his roving fingers made the hair on her arms rise. She splayed her legs wide as Brodie’s questing digits finally eased into her sheath. With each moan, they plunged into her, stroking and probing as she labored to breathe.
“I want to touch you, too,” Laurel whispered. Brodie grinned at her with a wink before he shook his head.
“I shall torment you just a while longer before I give you what you want.”
Laurel twisted, bringing her mons against Brodie’s length. She slid her toes along the length of his calf as her thigh rubbed his. She arched her back, thrusting her breast against his lips. Brodie tightened his grip on her wrists, but Laurel continued to twist and rub her body against his.
“You are not the only one who can tease,” Laurel purred.
“But I am the only one who can do this.” Brodie lifted her leg to his hip and thrust into her. Her carnal moan spurred Brodie on as he surged into her over and over. She winced once, and he froze. He’d forgotten that Laurel would be sore after so many rounds of lovemaking. She’d assured him over and over that she was well, but the moment of discomfort made him feel contrite.
“That wasn’t pain, Brodie. Or least not in a bad way. I ache for you to keep going. I was trying to ease it.” Laurel tugged her arms again, and Brodie released her immediately. Her hands flew to his backside, pressing his hips, urging him on. “It’ll only be painful if you stop.”