Page 12 of Scottish Rose: Coira

“Come here, Wife.” He moved toward her slowly with his eyes fastened to her. With every step he took toward her, she took a backward step away from him. “Coira, this isn’t going to work if you keep moving away from me.”

“I – I ken. I’m sorry.”

“Why are you so frightened of me? Have I done something to scare you? Or perhaps hurt you?”

“Nay,” she shook her head, trying to shake away her fear as well. “Ye havena, my lord.”

“Lance.”

“My lord?” she looked up in question, still clutching the neckline of her night clothes.

“We are married now, Coira. When we are together in private, you can call me by my Christian name. It’s Lance.”

“Aye, of course, my lord. Lance,” she said quickly correcting herself. Why was this so hard to do?

The dog ran up to her, jumping and putting its paws on her. She smiled and reached down with both hands to pet it.

“If only you would accept me with the same excitement as you do the dog.” He headed across the room to stoke the fire. Coira watched as he bent over, his towel riding up his long legs. His half-naked presence had her heart fluttering. The glow of the firelight illuminated his broad shoulders and large biceps. He had shoulder-length, dark hair that almost looked black now that it was wet.

She slowly took a step toward him, drinking in his physique. Never had she seen such manly beauty. Just as she approached him, he threw down the poker and turned around, catching her perusing him.

“So, you are interested after all, even if you pretend not to be.”

“I – I never said I wasna interested, my – Lance,” she said, getting him to smile.

“I like hearing you say my name. As a matter of fact, I like almost everything about you.” He stepped forward and placed his hand on her shoulder. Instant warmth spiraled through her body.

“Almost everythin’?” she questioned wondering what he didn’t like about her.

“I like your beautiful eyes that sparkle two-toned in the light of the fire like bright stars up in the sky.” He stared into her eyes when he said it, causing her to get lost in the swirling depths of his deep blue orbs.

“What else?” she asked softly, liking the way it felt to have a man complimenting her.

“Your nose.”

“My nose?”

“Aye, it is as cute as a button.” He reached out and tapped her nose with the tip of his finger. “And your mouth.”

“My mouth?” His gaze dropped to her mouth. As he moved closer, he gently pulled her into his embrace.

“Your lips look soft and full. Although I must say the kiss we shared at our wedding was quite different, indeed. Will it be that way every time I kiss you?”

“I – I dinna ken.” She shyly dropped her gaze. When she did, her focus was on his bare chest. Curious to know how it felt, she raised her hand to touch him, but decided against it and pulled back instead.

“How about we find out the answer,” he said, taking her hand in his and placing it against his broad chest. She felt muscles and a slight dusting of hair beneath her fingers. Her hand moved with his intake of breath. He leaned forward, raising her chin with two fingers and lowering his head to cover her mouth with his.

Coira’s eyes closed as she held her breath, kissing her new husband. His lips were bold and yet sensuous at the same time. His mouth against hers was so intimate that it almost caused her knees to buckle. Slowly, he pulled away.

“You can breathe now,” he said in a low voice, causing her to realize that she had, indeed, been holding her breath. She released it and, at the same time, the dog sighed from across the room. They both laughed and looked over at the hound. The dog was lying down with its nose between her paws, looking up at them with sad, wide eyes.

“I think the dog knows she won’t be getting any more attention from either of us tonight.”

“She willna?”

He shook his head, looking at her with hooded eyes. “This is our wedding night, Coira. Are you ready to seal our vows of becoming man and wife?”

Her fingers gripped at the neckline of her gown. She pressed her lips together, tasting his wonderful essence, and nodded slowly.