Page 33 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Stop? She never wanted to stop. But when he stepped away, awareness seeped back in. She’d very nearly begged him to take her. The place between her legs—the place she never wanted any man to touch ever again—had grown damp with desire, and her breasts ached for his attention.

She pulled in a quick breath in surprise. How had she become so overwhelmed? It had been only a kiss.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going for a swim in the loch before returning to our bedchamber.”

“But it’ll be freezing at night.”

“Yes. I’m counting on that.”

She didn’t understand, nor did she need to. He left her in the solar alone and she slumped into her chair as her world shifted.

As they’d raced out of Scalloway Castle after they’d wed, Evelyn thought only of how she might get out of the marriage so she wouldn’t need to be a real wife to a man.

It was amazing how differently she felt about Liam now. He wasn’t just a man; he was her husband. He’d accepted Gwennie. Even more, he knew about Evelyn’s past and where Gwennie came from and it didn’t mean a bit of difference to him. She could tell in the way he smiled at them that they were the most important people in his life.

And she’d seen how shaken he’d been after killing those men to save Gwennie. Despite being the war chief, he wasn’t a violent man. But he’d done violence for Evelyn’s daughter.

She hadn’t truly understood what it meant for Liam to bring them home to Dunardry, but it was clear now. Her husband had never had a family, and now he’d claimed them as his own.

A crease of worry pulled her forehead as she brushed Gwennie’s hair before bed. She didn’t want Liam disappointed. He’d wanted her all this time. He’d asked her father for her hand three times.

The worry was chased away by a thread of anger. She wouldn’t be put up as a saint and then feel guilty because she couldn’t live up to his expectations. She’d spent the last few years disappointing her father and feeling guilty for it.

She’d not feel guilty anymore.

Gwennie had fallen asleep while Evelyn watched the latch of the door, waiting for Liam to return. What would happen? Would he lie next to her? Would he kiss her again? Touch her?

After the haze from their kiss had lifted, she worried what Liam would want from her. She’d nearly worked herself up into a fit by the time Liam stepped quietly into the room and removed his weapons. In the darkness, she pretended to be asleep, but watched him in the moonlight coming through the window. He hung his sword belt and kilt on the pegs and tugged off his boots before taking his regular spot on the floor.

She relaxed again.

“I know you’re still awake. You’re breathing like a deer being chased by a wolf.” His voice was low and quiet, with a hint of laughter. “Thank ye for the kiss, wife. Know I’ll be receptive to kissing you whenever ye wish it.”

She smiled in the darkness and dreamed of when she might have the courage to ask again.

After dressing herself and Gwennie the next morning, they went to the hall to get their meal. Liam had been gone when they’d awakened and wasn’t in the hall. Kenna and Mari were waiting for her.

“How did it go?” Kenna blurted as soon as Evelyn took her seat.

“Kenna, don’t overwhelm the woman with questions the moment she takes a seat,” Mari chastised before smiling at Evelyn. “I hope it was most pleasurable.”

“It was. I must admit, I’m surprised I liked it so much with Liam when I hated the very idea of it before.”

“That sounds like a fine start.”

The smile slipped from Evelyn’s lips at Kenna’s words. “While I very much enjoyed the kiss, I’m not certain I’ll ever manage the other things.”

Mari patted Evelyn’s hand. “Good for you. You don’t need to make a decision on that right now. There’s plenty of time. Just allow yourself to enjoy what you have at this moment.”

Evelyn nodded. Liam said he would welcome kissing her when she asked. And hadn’t said anything about more. Perhaps that would be enough.

After the morning meal, the women settled in the solar for a bit to talk while the children played. It was wonderful to see how well Gwennie fit in. She was close in age to the other children. She even allowed the others to play with her bunnies and shared the stories Liam had told her while adding her own embellishments.

When the children slowed down in the afternoon, the little ones climbed on their mothers’ laps to be swayed to sleep while the others settled in the beds. Evelyn was surprised to see her daughter get in next to Lizzy without a fuss. Soon enough, the solar was quiet. The babies were put in their cradles and Kenna went to the hall to request the nurse.

“Let’s go to the kitchens,” Kenna said once the older nurse was seated by the window to stand watch over the children.

Quietly, they left the room and went downstairs and out of the hall to the kitchen. It was warm and cozy inside with four other women scurrying about. Kenna took her place with them as Mari pulled out chairs for herself and Evelyn.