Molly let out the laugh she’d been holding back. Leave it to her father to put the fear of God into the bravest warrior in Scotland. With tensions eased, Earl Sinclair stepped forward to begin the ceremony.
When it came time for the binding ritual, Molly extended her wrist to Conall and Earl Sinclair bound their wrists together with a piece of white cloth in the ancient tradition of handfasting.
“With this rite I thee bind, yer two lives now entwined. Together through time, in body and mind,” he said in his loud voice.
Molly met Conall’s eyes, seeing her own exhilaration mirrored there. With the final vows spoken, he drew her close and kissed her deeply, to the cheers and applause of all those gathered.
After that, the great hall erupted into raucous celebration. Musicians struck up a lively tune as feasting tables were hauled out and laden with food and drink. Laughter and merriment spilled out the doors into the courtyard beyond.
Molly was swept up in the revelry, accepting enthusiastic congratulations from Conall’s sword-brothers and those she now called clan. But she never strayed far from Conall’s side, their hands continuously finding each other amidst the chaos.
Hours later, as it was getting dark outside, Molly sighed contentedly as she leaned into Conall, his strong arm wrapped securely around her waist. The celebration swirled around them, but all she saw was him. Her husband. The word sent a thrill through her.
“What say ye we slip away for a bit, my wife?” Conall murmured, his breath warm against her ear.
Molly nodded, a coy smile playing on her lips. Hand in hand, they discreetly made their exit, the boisterous party none the wiser. At the door to their chamber, Conall scooped Molly up in his strong arms.
“I’ll not be breaking tradition,” he grinned, carrying her over the threshold.
He set her down gently inside. Molly wasted no time, hungrily seeking his lips with her own. Conall responded eagerly, his hands exploring her body as he backed her up against the wall. He drew back, eyes heavy lidded and full of desire. As Molly opened her mouth to speak, Conall silenced her with a passionate kiss that left her breathless. His hands tangled in her hair as the kiss deepened and intensified.
She’d been waiting all day for this. It had been torture having to keep her hands off her new husband while the party was in full swing and now they were alone it felt amazing to be able to give in to her desire.
Conall seemed to feel the same way. He eagerly explored Molly’s body with his hands, running them up her sides, over her hips and around to cup her bottom. She moaned as he pulled her closer, and his mouth moved from hers down to her neck, kissing and nipping the sensitive skin there. Molly worked on the ties of his shirt, pushing it off his shoulders so she could run her hands along his chest. His skin was warm beneath her fingertips and she felt a surge of satisfaction knowing this man belonged to her now—that she could touch him like this whenever she wanted.
With deft movements, Conall removed Molly’s dress and undergarments until they both stood naked in the candlelight. He took a moment to take in the sight of her curves.
“My wife,” he breathed. “Ye are beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms, claiming her mouth for his own. “Have I ever told ye I love ye?” he murmured between kisses.
“You might have mentioned it,” she replied. “But that doesn’t mean I’m tired of hearing it.”
Conall grinned and lowered Molly to the bed, covering her body with his, reverently locking lips with her once more. Molly arched her back, pressing herself against him. She felt him grow hard against her thigh, a sensation matched only by the throbbing between her legs. She moaned, writhing beneath him as he kissed his way down to her breasts. His mouth encircled one pink bud, sucking and licking until she moaned at the sensations building in her core.
Conall kissed his way down her body, his mouth leaving a trail of fire down her abdomen and along her hip. His mouth moved steadily lower, and at last she felt his hot breath on her most sensitive spot. His tongue slipped inside her and she cried out with ecstasy.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as he pleasured her with his mouth, his tongue sending spirals of tingling sensations through her body. Molly felt herself climbing swiftly towards climax, and a wave of ecstasy suddenly crashed over her. She cried out his name and screwed her eyes tight shut as she rode out the wave.
A moment later, Molly realized she was still holding his hair and released him. Conall, stretched out beside her on the bed.
“That was just for starters, my wife.”
He rolled onto his back, took hold of her hips and lifted her easily atop him. He guided her movements as she straddled him and she rested her palms against the hardness of his chest as she slowly lowered her weight onto him, feeling him slide inside her in a slow ripple of pleasure.
He moaned softly as she rocked against him, her pace increasing as the pleasure mounted. Conall’s breathing quickened and Molly felt a new wave of ecstasy build within her core. She gasped as he thrust his hips up to meet her and she began to shudder with pleasure. His body tensed as they both climaxed, and Molly threw her head back, gasping as she rode it out.
She collapsed on top of him and they lay together in a tangled heap, sated and warm, before she finally rolled away and snuggled against his side. As Molly’s breathing slowed, Conall traced lazy circles on her bare back.
“No regrets?” he asked softly after a moment.
“Regrets?”
“About staying. About leaving yer life in the twenty-first century behind.” His voice was heavy with worry.
She went up on her elbows and looked at him. “Regrets?” she said. “None at all. Having regrets would suggest I’ve made the wrong choice but I haven’t. I’mmeantto be here, Conall. With you. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
“I guess I must be denser than you thought.”
She stretched up and kissed him on the lips. “Yes, you must. I can’t pretend I won’t miss my old life but everything’s a balancing act, isn’t it? I’m giving up something, but getting something better in return. You. And living in a castle will be pretty cool too.”
