Page 27 of Wicked Kilted Highlander

As they continued their journey, Darragh's thoughts were consumed with Lara's revelation and he was thankful that she had shared it.

The moon rose, casting a silvery glow on the landscape as they continued their journey, and Darragh finally broke their comfortable silence.

"Ye ken, Lara," he began hesitantly, "since we talking about yer wedding, I cannae help but think about some of the other aspects that come with marriage."

Lara looked at him, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "What dae ye mean?"

"Ah," he exhaled, searching for the right words. "I mean… the relationship between a man and a woman. The intimacy, passion, and connection that comes with it."

"Like what?" she asked innocently.

"Like the… bedding," he almost whispered, trying to keep what he was sure was a roguish twinkle from his eye.

"Bedding?" Lara repeated, her cheeks flushing with color.

"Aye," Darragh replied, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long. "Ye've nay idea about any of this, I guess."

"Nay, I havenae, of course."

"Well, there's naught wrong with that," he assured her. "In fact, I'd say it makes ye all the more desirable."

Lara bit her lip, her eyes averting his gaze.

He noticed the slight flush coloring her cheeks and the way she shifted in her saddle. "Me maither was taken from me before she could teach me such things."

"Would ye like me tae explain?" Darragh offered, his heart racing at the thought of delving into this territory with her. But he felt she had a right to know the truth, especially since she was to be wed. It was a bit strange that a villager like herself was not enlightened on the subject, living with farm animals all about her, yet he guessed it was an undesirable subject for a father or a brother to broach with a girl in the family. "I promise tae be respectful and keep a safe distance while we talk. I just mean tae be of help. If ye dinnae want tae, we can forget I even offered it."

Lara hesitated, her eyes darting away before returning to meet his gaze. "Aye," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I trust ye, Darragh. I wish tae ken more."

His chest swelled with pride and gratitude at her words. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before beginning. "When a man and a woman are drawn tae each other, there's a pull—almost like a magnet. Ye might feel yer heart race or yer skin tingle when ye're close tae the one ye desire."

As he spoke, he noticed Lara's breathing quicken and her fingers grip the reins tighter. He continued, "Sometimes, it starts as a gentle touch or a brush of the lips. It can be tender and slow, or passionate and fierce."

"And… and how does it feel?" Lara asked, her voice trembling but clearly intent on his words.

"Ah, lass," Darragh said softly, "'Tis like fire and ice at the same time—warmth spreadin' through yer body while shivers dance along yer spine. It's a connection that goes beyond anything else ye've felt before."

Lara's eyes were wide and filled with wonder as she absorbed his words. She looked at him, her lips parted slightly.

"Physical attraction is important, but there's also an emotional connection that can be even more powerful," Darragh said, watching Lara closely for any reaction. "It's a bond that forms when ye share yerselves with one another—all yer joys, fears, and dreams. A lot of arranged marriages dinnae have those feelings, but if a person is lucky enough tae experience it… it’s amazing.”

It was evident from her expression that she was being affected by his words, and Darragh found himself feeling a sense of pride in his ability to evoke such a response.

"Ye might find that ye crave the other person's touch, or long to hear their voice whisper sweet nothings in yer ear," he continued, his own voice growing huskier as the sexual tension thickened between them like a fog rolling in off the sea. "And when ye're apart, ye may feel a yearning deep within yer soul—a need tae be close tae them again."

Lara bit her lower lip, her blue eyes shining with curiosity and desire. "I've… I've nae felt anything like that before," she admitted hesitantly, looking down at her hands, which were now fidgeting with a loose strand of her hair.

"Perhaps ye've never allowed yerself tae truly open up tae someone," Darragh suggested gently, his black eyes softening with understanding. "It's a vulnerable place tae be, but the rewards can be great."

As Lara looked back up at him, her resolve strengthened, and Darragh knew he had struck a chord within her. "I… I want tae feel that connection," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Darragh's heart swelled with emotion, and he reached out to place his hand on hers. The moment their skin touched, a spark of electricity surged through them both, causing Lara to gasp and lean closer.

"See, yer body is responding tae mine, the same as mine does tae yers, is it nae?" Darragh murmured, feeling his own arousal growing as he witnessed the effect he had on her.

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves of the trees overhead as Darragh and Lara continued their ride. He couldn't help but notice how her long, brown hair danced with each gust, catching the sunlight in its silky strands. It was then that his eyes were drawn to her slender neck, exposed by the blowing wind.

“What dae ye look at in a woman,” Lara interrupted his thoughts out of nowhere.