“Oh, Alex, it smells wonderful!” Madeline held the basket near her face, grinning at the aromas, subconsciously licking her lips.
Alex vowed to see that expression on her face more often. What a difficult time she has had in her short life already. Such a giving person certainly didn’t deserve the treatment her stepbrother gave her. Things would change for his wife-to-be, he promised himself to make her happiness a priority.
As they strolled on to the stables, the warm fall air brushed across his face. Maddie’s cheek’s turned pink from the crisp outdoor breeze. The aroma of fall, dried leaves, and apples drifted with the wind. Alex helped Maddie onto her horse and mounted Midnight. As they departed, ten guardsmen fell in behind them.
“You are worried, Alex?”
“Not worried, but careful. Do not be concerned, I have ordered them to keep a distance from us, but I want them in the area in case Kenneth is hiding in the woods.”
“Shall we race, my laird?” Maddie asked with one eyebrow raised. Without waiting to hear his response, she darted off, her laughter echoing behind her.
Alex smirked as she tore off toward the loch, noting how well she rode. After they arrived, he reached up to help Madeline dismount. He slid her body down the front of him very slowly, waiting for her reaction. Chuckling, he raised an eyebrow when her eyes grew as she realized his intent. He cupped her face and kissed her, not a gentle kiss, but a needy kiss. Possessing her mouth, his tongue briefly mated with hers. A soft sigh escaped from Madeline when he ended the kiss. That pleased him, but he set her away from him and reached for the basket. His intent was to give Maddie the time she needed to adjust to his nearness. He didn’t want to go too fast.
Madeline murmured, “Oh my!” She licked her lips and touched her fingers to her mouth as she gazed at Alex.
He chuckled as he spread one of his plaids on the grass near the edge of the water. “Maddie, you are a passionate one, aye?”
Madeline blushed and turned her head away.
“Come sit with me and eat something.”
Maddie helped Alex empty the basket. Cook had packed fresh baked bread and cheese along with wine. There were also apples and ripe pears. At the bottom, there were two wrapped pastries.
“Maddie, I planned this trip for a special reason.”
“What would that be, Laird?”
“Alex, please Maddie. I would hear my name on your lips.”
“Of course, Alex,” she replied with her innocent blue eyes gazing into his.
“I do not want you uncomfortable on our wedding night. I think it best if you get used to me slowly. I want you to be accustomed to my closeness, to be used to my touch, Maddie. I will not have you frightened of me.” He brushed a stray hair from her eyes. She nodded her head slowly in agreement.
They ate and drank the wine, casually talking about the wedding. Maddie placed a hand to her forehead, feeling a little light- headed from the sun and the wine.
“Would you like a pastry, sweeting?” Alex asked.
“Oh, yes, I love pastries,” she answered, her light-headedness forgotten.
Alex unwrapped the pastry and held it to her mouth. She reached for it, but Alex pulled back and shook his head.
“Nay, you must eat it from my fingers. Do you trust me, Madeline?”
“Aye,” she whispered. She reached forward and took a tentative bite from the pastry. She chewed it slowly, savoring the taste in her mouth, never taking her eyes from Alex’s.
“More?” he asked.
She nodded and leaned forward for another bite. Sweet juice ran over her lips as she bit into the fat pastry. Maddie reached to wipe it off her face.
“Nay,” Alex said as he leaned in and licked the sweetness off her bottom lip. He ran his tongue down her chin. Madeline gasped, but didn’t move as Alex continued the gentle assault. He nibbled on her bottom lip and tugged on it to pull her toward him. The pastry crumbled to the ground as he pulled her down on top of him and ravaged her lips. He wanted her but was afraid his words would frighten her. Ever since he met Maddie, he hadn’t been satisfied with anyone else. He groaned as she timidly responded by touching her tongue to his. He angled his mouth to kiss her deeper, he wanted all of her. She was his, he needed to possess her.
Alex cradled her face in his hands. He loved the taste of her. She tasted like sweetness and wine. His hands ran down her spine and brushed her buttocks briefly to pull her in close to him. He was hard and did not want to frighten her, but she had to get used to him. He did not want to see any fear in her eyes on their wedding night.
Maddie’s senses were on overload. This was not a tender kiss. Alex was hot and demanding. And she liked it. She was a little embarrassed when she realized the high pitched moan she heard came from her. He didn’t let up.