At the end of a vestibule, he stopped at a door. “Your chamber, Milady.” He motioned to her to enter and turned away.
Eva pushed open the door and stepped inside. She set her satchel next to the entrance, closed the door, and stood there in a mesh of quivering nerves. Every part of her shook with apprehension at the thought of what she’d do this night with her so-called husband. She wasn’t completely ignorant of what a man and woman did in bed and had witnessed some of the servants in precarious situations. Still, she never dreamed she would do such things, and with a man like Breckin.
Breckin stood by the window casement with his chin leaning on his fist. He turned and lowered his arms. He didn’t smile, but then she surmised he never did. Or, at least, she’d never seen him do so. Was he always so severe?
“Laird Buchanan… Ah, I mean,Breckin, I am here as you requested.”
He twitched a finger at her and his lips broadened in what she might consider a grin.Sweet Mary, he was handsome even with the set of his brows. The thought that she was now married to him instilled even more apprehension within her. It wasn’t that she was afraid of him but more that she didn’t know how to be. Should she try to appease him? Should she object if he insisted on taking his husbandly rights? Such matters caused her heart to thrum in her chest and ears.
Eva walked with slow steps toward him. When she reached him, she stopped in front of him and folded her hands. “We should probably talk about what is expected…”
“What I expect, lass, is a wife who obeys me. I will try to be a good husband to ye. We should take this night to… Ye are afeared,” he said when he took her hands. “Ye tremble. I do not intend to harm ye. There is no need to be afraid.”
“There is every reason to be. I have never been with a man and I expect that I…” Eva felt heat flushing her cheeks at her admission. “I will be inept at this.”
“I should hope ye have not been with another, lass. Worry not, because I will try to be gentle.” He set his hands on her shoulders and leaned forward.
When his lips touched hers, Eva’s first instinct was to pull away but she stayed still and allowed him to kiss her. He brushed his mouth against hers; his harsh scruff scratched against her soft skin like nothing she’d ever experienced. Then he used his warm tongue to get her to respond to the desirous way he kissed her. Timidly, she touched her own tongue to his but then something overcame her, urging her to do more, experience more. She stepped into his embrace and he put his arms around her body, pulling her close. Her breasts pressed against his chest and something instigated her to want and need more. She wrapped her arms around his hard body and moaned softly at the fervent kiss they shared.
Breckin pulled back and his breath was raspy from their desirous kiss. “Lass, I…we should probably get ready for bed.”
Eva nodded absently and turned away from him. Her nerves jumped to her throat. She couldn’t voice her fear but stood facing the bed. He approached from behind her and set his hands on her shoulders. Breckin placed his lips on her neck and kissed her as his hands worked to remove her gown. When he pressed the garment down her arms, the chilled air in the chamber caused her to tremble from cold and the night to come.
She stood in her undergarments, a thin chemise that ended above her knees. Never had she felt so exposed. Breckin continued to stand behind her and pulled her back against him. The heat of his chest warmed her as his large hand pressed against the flesh of her stomachand he caressed her.
“I desire ye, lass.” The passionate way he spoke sent heat through her.
Eva closed her eyes and felt his desire pressing against her buttocks. As she waited to see what he’d do, he turned her around.
“Will ye disrobe me?” he asked huskily.
“I am astounded that you were able to wear this within the castle,” she said, as she took hold of the strap that held his sword on his back.
“The king knows better than to take my weapon away, and if he wants the use of it, he wouldst not offend me.”
“The king wants you to use your sword for him…to war?”
“Aye, in the future, lass, not this night.”
She sighed at that and wished for the reprieve, even if it meant war, but it wasn’t to be. With shaky hands, she unfastened the scabbard across his chest and set it on a nearby chair. The sword was heavy and large. It was a hefty war instrument; broad and unembellished by any ornament. Afterward, she returned to him and removed his layers of tartans, and finally his tunic. He wore absolutely nothing beneath his lower tartan and the sight of his manhood forced a light gasp from her.
Eva wanted to avert her eyes but was intrigued by his body, and she stared at him until he cleared his throat. She fixed her gaze on his naked chest. The expanse had no hair but was smooth and muscular. If she had any brazenness within her, she’d reach out and touch him but she wouldn’t be so forward.
He must’ve read her mind because he took her hands and set them on his chest. Eva drew in a breath at the sensation of his hot, hard skin. She raised her chin and found him watching her. Breckin dipped his head and set his mouth back on hers. Never had she expected to be moved by a man’s touch but her body reacted to his caresses. She was uncertain what was happening to her but she enjoyed the sensations.
Breckin lifted her in his arms and carried her to the side of the bed.He gently set her on the bedding and watched her with hooded eyes. Even in the dimly-lit bed chamber, she could see the greenness of his eyes. His gaze captivated her and somehow alleviated the need to panic. Then he caressed her thighs and shifted them upward until he reached the top of her chemise.
He settled his head next to hers and whispered, “I want to see ye, your bonny body.” Breckin hurriedly yanked her chemise down her body until he was able to remove it completely.
Eva lay back and covered her breasts with her hands. She’d never been on display before and tried to shift away from him. He took her hands in his and pushed them to the sides of her body. His gaze lingered on her and she shivered from the intensity of his beautiful eyes.
“Ye are bonny, aye, and should not hide yourself, lass.” He pressed his hands upward on her arms until he cuddled her face in his palms. Breckin set his mouth back on hers and kissed her passionately but gently.
Eva tried to respond in kind but was overwhelmed by his desire. His hands seemed to be everywhere on her body and then she felt his fingers at her womanhood. She yanked her head back and gasped. “I am not sure I like this.”
“Ye will, lass, I vow ye will. We will go slow and easy.”
He returned his hand to her center and pressed his fingers inside her. She tried to focus on what he was doing but something within her twinged like a small pulse that reverberated through her. Eva closed her eyes, abashed at what he was doing. With a light sigh, she tried to focus on his touch and to find pleasure in it and being with him.
