Ewan could count on her never openly undermining his authority. Or at least not in front of him, and especially not with the servants. The soft smile on his wife’s face was a welcome confirmation that she had not taken offence at his show of ducal dominance.
This was an encouraging sign. Considering his plans for the rest of the evening, the last thing Ewan wanted to have to deal with was an annoyed Caroline.
As soon as the castle steward and his people had departed, Ewan took Caroline by the arm. “You and I need time alone. Now.” He towed her toward the circular set of stone stairs which led to the upper floors of the keep.
He wasn’t going to give her the chance to deny him or to even make protest. But he would have been lying if he didn’t enjoy a generous sense of relief when Caroline not only came with him but hastened her steps.
The sly grin she gifted him as they departed the great hall had Ewan licking his lips. His heart beat hard in his chest as blood pooled in his loins.
ChapterSeven
Caroline knew when Ewan was on the prowl. His lustful desire for her was at its peak. It was exactly why she had been avoiding him all day. And when they had been in one another’s company, she had steadfastly refused to meet his gaze.
It rarely took more than one or two seconds of taking in Ewan’s storm-about-to-break eyes until she was powerless to refuse him anything. And while she had been actively staying out of his way, it had been with the luscious promise to herself that at some point, she would seek him out. She would yield to him and offer her Scottish duke whatever he wished.
That time was now.
Under her gown, Caroline’s nipples were tight buds. She ached for her lover’s lips to be gently pulling on them.
“There are people everywhere at the moment. I have thought of several places where we could go, but each one of them is currently occupied by family or guests,” he said, as they approached the stairs of the keep.
“We don’t have to do anything; we could go and sit with the other people in the great hall. Enjoy their company. Or, to put it in your words, relax. Calm down,” said Caroline, with a smile.
It was good to give her husband some of his own medicine. To have him understand what being wound up and not being able to do anything about it was like.
Ewan’s huff of annoyance set Caroline’s heart racing. He was riding the edge of his lust. A beast barely under control. She was close behind him in the aching, needful stakes.
Take me somewhere. Claim what is yours.
“No. I am not giving up. I am more than prepared to put some or all of our guests into a carriage and send them to Falkirk for the night, if that’s what it will take in order to find a nice warm spot where I can tup my wife.” Ewan snorted.
Caroline drew in a sharp breath. Ewan was gruff and annoyed, but he was damn sexy as hell when his blood was up. And especially when he was in the mood for a lusty romp.
“How about I go and get my cloak? We could always go up to the ramparts, like we used to,” she offered.
He scowled. “It’s a bit nippy outside. Are you sure?”
“I don’t recall your grace ever having had a problem with enjoying a spot of fun in the wilds of Scotland before now. You are not getting too old for it, are you?” she teased.
Stopping at the next turn in the stairs, Ewan pulled her roughly into his embrace, placing a fierce, hot kiss on her mouth. He nipped at her bottom lip, sending heat pooling in her loins. “You shall pay for that remark, you cheeky minx. But first, go and get your cloak. I shall head up to the ramparts and make certain no one else is about. We don’t want to be disturbed.”
Caroline continued the climb with Ewan close on her tail. Their private rooms were high in the central keep. When she got to the door which led to their apartment, she reached for the handle. Ewan slipped his hand about her waist, kissing her once more.
“Don’t dally. I have been hard as a rock for the past hour,” he said.
She teasingly licked her lips at the thought of his firm erection. At the prospect of her husband and his heated lustful desire for her. At the thought of what they were about to do.
Thank heavens for red-blooded Scottish males.
Their gazes met and her heart increased its pace. The passion they still shared in their long marriage wasn’t something that all couples had. The years may have brought changes to their bodies, but the sparkle of desire shone as brightly in Ewan’s eyes as it had done from the first time, he had declared his love for her.
“Just be ready for me,” she whispered.
Stepping into their apartment, she hurriedly retrieved her woolen cloak from the end of the bed. She had just turned for the door when a wicked idea tugged at her mind.
Oh, yes. That will do nicely.
The door was quietly closed and firmly locked.
