Page 57 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“Aye.” She licked her bottom lip and enjoyed the way his green eyes turned dark with hunger. She hoped she wouldn’t disappoint and told him so.

“No worries, lass. I’ll be patient while you master the skill.” His sly smile told her it was no hardship for him to be used for practice.

It wasn’t until she knelt before him and stared down his impressive size that she realized she should have considered how this would work. Perhaps Bryce was larger than the men the other women spoke of.

He shuddered when she reached out and placed her hand on him. And she smiled when she remembered that part of their story. Eager to get underway, she leaned in and stroked her tongue across him.

The sound that rumbled from his chest encouraged her to continue. She managed to put her lips partly around him, gaining another moan of approval. In her excitement she picked up the pace, enjoying the control she had in making him lose his breath and groan with pleasure.

But soon he pulled her away and lifted her to the bed so he could pounce on her.

“Was I not doing it fast enough?” she asked at his impatience.

“Nay. It was perfect, but I want to make sure you get your release before me. I canna guarantee I’ll be good for anything afterward.”

He smiled down at her as he slid inside. She lifted up to meet him, still wanting to enjoy that feeling of control.

“Lusty,” he muttered by her ear as he nipped her lobe with his teeth. “You are too much for me, wife, but I canna get enough.”

His words propelled her over the edge and her body throbbed around his. He cried out her name, spilling inside her in a fiery thrust.

He pulled her into his arms, his quick breath moving her hair.

“That was worth going to battle. Mayhap I should hunt down the McCurdys daily so I can claim my reward.”

“If you promise to stay with me always, I shall reward you as you wish.”

When he didn’t answer, she sat up to look down on her sleeping husband, worn out from battle.

He had told her he would never be able to love her. He’d even been sorry for it. She’d told herself what she had was enough, but as she watched him, she began to wonder how she might heal him enough that he could one day love her.

…

Bryce had heard the promise Dorie attempted to extract from him the night before but hadn’t answered. She’d asked him to stay with her always. She may have meant in the physical sense, but Bryce thought something might have shifted between them.

He’d made it clear over and over that he’d not be able to be a real husband in a love match. He could offer protection, friendship, and pleasure, but love was not available.

Fortunately sleep had come over him like a crashing wave, so he wasn’t forced to break a promise the very next morning.

He had plans to leave for the Campbells to secure an alliance and a promise of men to aid in their takeover of Baehaven so everyone in the Highlands could be free of the McCurdy threat, once and for all.

Rather than sneak out while she slept so as not to see the disappointment in her blue eyes, he waited for her to rise so he could tell her of his plans like a respectable husband.

She said nothing until they were in the bailey and he was ready to leave.

“I could come with you,” she offered, holding on to his arm tightly.

“Nay, you’re not a seasoned rider, and it’s a few days’ ride from here.”

The frown on her full lips—lips that had been wrapped around him the night before—nearly forced him to change his mind. But he knew the pace of his trip would be uncomfortable for her.

“I’ll be home as soon—”

Just then the guard on the gate called down, “Riders approach the castle!”

At that, the gate was opened and a single boy rode in, nearly out of breath.

“What do you have to report?”