“I am not teasing,” she said most firmly. “I want you to… show me how to please you… in bed. I want you to take me.”
He growled and closed his eyes, his jaw clenching so tightly the muscle in his cheek flexed. After drawing in a deep breath, he opened his eyes. “I need for you to do something first.”
“What?”
His blue gaze burned into hers. “Marry me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
All the breath left Seona as she stared into the azure flame of Keegan’s eyes for a long, heart-stopping moment.Marry me, he had said.
“Now?” she asked.
“Aye. Right now.” He dug into his sporran and brought out a gold band. “I went to Inverness yesterday and bought this ring for you, for when we marry. I ken we cannot legally wed without a priest or minister and witnesses, but what matters most are the vows between us, even if spoken in secret. To me, that would be real. You would become my wife, in the ancient way.”
She nodded, tears in her eyes, her heart so filled with love and joy she could scarce contain it.
“You agree?” he asked.
“Aye. I want to marry you, Keegan.” Even if it was a marriage her father wouldn’t recognize… to her it would be a true marriage. The only one she would ever have. Keegan as her husband was what she wanted most in the world.
“Good.” Keegan pulled in a deep breath and drew her to stand facing him before the hearth where the firelight was brighter. His face told her many things—that he was suddenly a wee bit nervous, but then, so was she. Terrified, in fact. But it was time to grab hold of what she wanted and never let go. The sincere devotion in his intense gaze made her fall even harder for him.
“Lady Seona Murray,” he murmured, his voice deep and strong. “You are the stars in the sky, the warm and bright sun uponmy face, the wine I drink, the air I breathe. And I love you.” Lifting her left hand, he kissed her ring finger then slid the gold band upon it. “With this ring, I thee wed. I vow to protect you and cherish you the whole of my life. I shall always be faithful unto you. I take you for my wife.”
Though she tried to hold back, Seona burst into tears.
He drew her close and kissed her forehead. “Shh.”
“That was so beautiful, Keegan,” she whispered. How on earth could she find words of equal beauty to tell him how she felt?
Forcing her emotions under control, she wiped the tears away and stood back. Gazing up into his eyes, she knew she had to be the luckiest woman in the world. “Keegan MacKay,” she began.
He nodded, a hint of a smile taking away his serious expression.
She swallowed hard. “You are the most honorable and noble of men. Strong and steadfast… the rock I cling to in the storm. I admire you, trust you, and love you more than I could’ve ever dreamed possible. You bring me joy and happiness such as I have never known. And I vow to forever love and cherish you. I shall always be faithful to you only. I take you for my husband.”
His smile broadened, then he kissed her lips. “You have made me the happiest man on earth,” he whispered. “I’m never letting you go, Seona.”
“I don’t want you to.” She slid her hands ’round his neck and into his silky hair. “You are mine.”
∞∞∞
Seona’s pleading expression told Keegan she needed him in the worst way. In the same way he needed her.
He lowered his head and kissed her lips, her sweet taste and warm breath seducing him instantly. “I could devour every inch of you,” he said, then deepened the kiss.
Her arms clasped him tight around his neck. His hands at her hips, he lifted her, relishing the feel of her slight body and feminine curves plastered to him.
He loved her and wanted her intensely, yet he’d restrained himself during each sensual encounter. But not this time.
She ground herself against his erect shaft, sending jolts of pleasure and yearning through him. When she spread her legs and wrapped them around his waist, he near lost his mind. Next thing he knew, he was lying atop her on the bed, his shaft against hercrotch. Layers of clothing separated them.
He dug through her skirts. Finally, he reached the silken skin of her thigh above her stocking. His fingertips traced upward.
Slow… take it slow.
He made a fist, restraining himself. Hell, he’d touched her in more carnal ways before, but this time he knew he couldn’t stop. He didn’t want to hurt her or frighten her.
