"You're a virgin, Mhairi. I dinnae want to hurt ye, and I fear I will. I'm no’ a small man."
When her eyes focused on the front of his kilt, he hardened – and experienced a blast of relief. It seemed she knew enough to understand what a man did with a maid.
"Jean said it might hurt. At first. But she said it gets better."
"Och, did she indeed?"
Mhairi made a helpless gesture. "My mother died bringing me into the world, and this isnae something my father would ever talk to me about."
"Your nurse didnae tell ye?"
"Flossie has served me since I was twelve. She was only fourteen herself then. She’s as much a virgin as I am."
"Not if Duff gets his way. He means to wed her."
"I think she means to wed him, too."
"I'm glad ye have a friend and a kinswoman in the castle."
"So am I." She paused. "But I hope ye and I can be friends as well as lovers."
"I'd like that." He studied her. She'd claimed not to be afraid, but she looked more relaxed now than she had when he’d thrown out the drunken louts. "It's the lovers part I'm interested in right now."
"Well, you'll need to touch me if that's true," she said with a hint of asperity.
He felt easy enough now to laugh. "Once I touch ye, there is nae going back, my bonny."
She flung up her hands in frustration and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "For pity's sake, Mackinnon, I dinnae want to go back. I want to be right where I am. Even more than that, I want ye to kiss me. Stop hovering over there like a cat that doesn't know whether it wants to come inside or stay out in the cold. Take me in your arms and ravish me like any kidnapper worth his salt. I want to play a bride's part and discover just what the famous Laird of Achnasheen hides under his kilt."
"Mhairi," he said, not sure if the word was an invitation or a protest.
"Aye, Mhairi is my name. And Mackinnon now, not Drummond." She stood and crossed the space separating them until she stood less than a foot away.
The firelight teased him with a tantalizing view of the body beneath the sheer nightdress. She was a creature of legend, all sinuous curves and enchantment. The glorious red hair flowed around her shoulders, making his hands clench at his sides as he imagined those shining tresses twining around him as he thrust inside her.
Her lips quirked with affectionate impatience. "For heaven’s sake, Callum, make me a Mackinnon in fact as well as name. Dinnae make me wait any longer. I want ye. Ye want me. Let's allow nature to take its course."
He wasn't sure whether he moved or she did, but within an instant, Bonny Mhairi was wrapped in his arms. His hands fisted in the slippery silk that covered her graceful body, and he tilted her to the side until the wealth of hair cascaded over his arm.
She released a gasp that sounded like pure excitement as she lost her balance and her hands flew up to grab his shoulders. Heat blasting the last of his hesitation to ashes, he bent over her and pressed his eager mouth to hers.
Chapter 23
Mhairi soared away from the everyday into a world of flaring color. During their short betrothal, Callum had often kissed her, luring her into secret corners of the castle away from curious eyes. Secret corners from which she'd emerged flushed and trembling and frustrated.
She'd never wanted a man before. She was astonished by how quickly even the most passionate kisses failed to satisfy her wanton yearnings. Kisses that at first had seemed the height of daring.
Tonight, though, perhaps because at last she would learn how it felt to lie with a man, the kisses burned hotter. A powerful pulse set up between her legs and shook her whole body. She kissed him back as if she starved.
Three days of Callum’s attentions had taught her much about kissing. She eagerly sucked his tongue into her mouth and nipped at his lips to encourage him to keep going. She pursued him into his mouth, re
lishing his rich salty flavor.
"You've been drinking whisky," she muttered, running her teeth down the strong neck once covered by his stock and now vulnerable to her depredations.
"Aye, lassie," he groaned, swinging her up in his arms and carrying her across to the bed. "The lads kept filling my cup downstairs. Are you afraid I willnae do my best by ye?"
Mhairi curled into his body. "No’ in the least."