The Highlander's Bride(29)
Again a challenge, but one she wasn’t certain she could match.
He threw the blankets off him. “I have no trouble baring all in front of you.”
She almost choked on the lump that rushed to her throat. The man was built large and firm, oh so firm, and she couldn’t take her eyes off it—him—his body.
Damned if he hadn’t confused her. Who was she kidding? He got her hot and bothered with one naked look.
If she were truly courageous, she would have met his challenge and thrown her shift off, but unfortunately she wasn’t that brave, or secure that she wouldn’t surrender to him.
He obviously planned this seductive scene figuring she couldn’t resist a challenge and she’d surrender to him in no time. Well, he was in for a big surprise.
“The shift stays on,” she said, and climbed into bed.
“Have it your way,” he said and smiled, pulling the covers over them.
“I intend to.”
He chuckled as he snuggled around her, pulling her to him so they rested against each other as they had done the night before.
“What are you doing?” she barked accusingly as she struggled against him.
He threw his leg over hers, stilling her struggles. “Snuggling with my wife.”
She spun around to face him, her finger poking his naked chest. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. We’ll mate when I say we’ll mate.”
“You think so?”
“I know so!” she said in a harsh whisper.
“The way you’re caressing my chest tells me you’re ready.”
Sara yanked her hand away, not having realized her poking had turned to stroking.
“Those flushed cheeks also caution me that you’re ready to do the deed.”
Sara groaned and turned to lie flat on her back. “I don’t want to do the deed.”
He leaned on his side and poked at her hard nipples. “There’s another sure sign of a woman’s readiness.”
“Ready or not, we’re not doing the deed,” she said with a firm whisper, though she’d rather have screamed it at him, and would have if not for the family in the other room.
“So then you are ready, you just refuse to give in to your needs?”
“I have no needs.”
He grinned and tweaked her hard nipple.
She swatted his hand away. “Stop that.”
“The evidence speaks for itself. You’re ready.”
She crossed her arms over her breasts, concealing her erect nipples. “Though not willing.”
“What you mean is you’re not willing to surrender. If you had started this, you would be willing.”
“When I’m ready—”
“You are ready.”
“Not that way,” she said.
“Then what way?” he asked.
Sara gave it thought. What did stop her? What foolish game did she play? All she needed to do was be done with it, as he had reminded her more than once. What did she truly want from him? Expect from him? Or from herself?
She turned and stared at him. “I’m not sure in what way.”
“Then don’t question, simply surrender,” he whispered softly.
She shook her head. “I prefer to have my wits about me.”
He gave her ear a playful nibble before whispering, “You’ll lose your wits in the throes of lovemaking.”
Sara swatted at his face, just missing his retreating mouth. “I doubt that very much, since we won’t be ‘making love.’ We’ll merely be sealing our vows and making our marriage official.”
Chapter 12
They left early the next morning, and Cullen was glad to see that Ginny was already eagerly packing their meager belongings, ready to embark on a new life. Gwen had given him a big hug and a sloppy kiss on the cheek, and he couldn’t help but think that she and his son, two years younger, would grow up together in America free from starvation and hopelessness.
Jeremy reminded him to be careful when arriving at market. It was a place heavily frequented by thieves and soldiers alike, a place to be cautious. He had been cautious since leaving his brother’s ship, taking no chances and guarding his identity. He’d been watchful of whom he approached and questioned, and left no trail that could be followed.
That precaution had come to a screeching halt when he wed Sara, since he had no choice but to sign his name to the marriage papers. He thought to give a glance back at his wife to see how she fared, but instead kept his eyes on the road ahead of him. It was an uneven terrain with unexpected obstacles in their path, a fallen branch, rocks, and overgrown foliage. He felt as if he was being warned to travel a different road, this one too littered with obstacles.