Page 69 of When a Highlander Vows
“Spectacles?” Caitlin couldn’t breathe, and when she looked up at him, he was nodding.
“Aye, I had heard about them, and I went to find them. They will help ye to see better.”
Caitlin could feel a new hope rising. It had leaped free from its cage and was now rushing, growing by degrees. She knew shehad to be careful, for it was unwise to let her hopes get away with her.
“Help me to see,” she repeated stupidly.
“Aye, Sunshine,” he said, lifting them from her hands toward her face. “Will ye try them on? See how they work?”
Caitlin’s breath was now coming fast. It sounded fantastic, this tool that could help her see? She’d always thought there was no hope, no way that her eyesight could ever improve. But now it was here, the chance right in front of her, and she remembered Lottie’s words. It was so easy to doubt. To feel the dark bad feelings, especially when things around one did not go as hoped. But this was a chance for something new, something exciting, and something she’d never thought possible.
After she nodded, he placed the spectacles on her eyes, and then he turned, taking the strands of ribbon and tying them around the back of her head. When her eyes first looked through the circles of glass, she gasped and put a hand over her mouth. She started shaking with happiness as the things in Lucas’ study were clear.
“So, does it work?” he asked, coming around again, and then he saw her face. “Och, I guess so.”
“Lucas,” she said, wrapping her arms about his neck and pulling him close. “What a beautiful, wonderful gift.”
He wrapped her in his warm embrace and kissed the base of her neck. “I am glad ye like it.” They hugged for a little while, and he whispered in her ear, “I am nay perfect, but I want to be with ye, Lass. I need time to gain the courage to share all, but I daenae want there to be any confusion. I daenae want another Bram comin’ to sniff around here. I want a future with ye.” He kissed the edge of her ear, and she pulled back to look him full in the face.
“And I ye. Dae I look terribly ridiculous in these?” she asked, about to say something romantic but fearful that it would not work while wearing these new spectacles.
“Nay,” he said with a chuckle, reaching up to touch the ribbon around her head. “Ye could never look less than what ye are. The most beautiful lass I have ever set eyes upon. I kenned it the first time I saw ye in yer house, starin’ out of the window. The light had hit ye just perfectly, and ye took me breath away.”
Caitlin was going to cry again. “Aye?” she said with a smile, reaching to the back of her head to undo the ribbon.
“Aye, I would never tease about that. False compliments I daenae give.”
Laughing, she removed the spectacles and laid them on his desk. “I would never think it of ye.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Ye daenae wish to wear them?”
“Nae right now,” she said, wrapping her arms about his neck again, pulling their faces close. “At the moment, I would rather we nae discuss spectacles. I think I want to stay with ye a bit. Who kens when ye will jump up and leave again?”
“Nay for as long as I can help it,” he said, smiling against her mouth and grabbing her to him before he kissed her.
35
Caitlin sighed into his kiss. Now, there was nothing stopping them from giving into the feelings they shared. Well, no love had been spoken of, but as Lucas had asked her, she could wait for him. Wait for him to be ready to speak openly about it. But the words he had said were enough for her.
He wants a future with me.
It still astounded her even as she was opening her mouth to his lovely, intoxicating kiss. That she was accepting the kiss in full from the man she so desperately loved. His tongue was like a drug, and she appreciated that he was well experienced, for he was teaching her things she never thought she’d get the chance to learn.
When he nibbled at her lower lip and then soothed the bite with a stroke of his expert tongue, Caitlin felt a shudder as a wetness appeared between her thighs. She wanted more, so much more.
Lucas grinned, as if he knew exactly what was going on. His eyes on hers, he lifted and turned her until she was seated on the edge of his desk, and he took a seat in his chair.
“What?” she asked, and he shushed her, lifting her skirts slowly, pulling her feet until they rested on top of his knees.
A little thrill of delight rushed through her as she remembered the way he’d licked and sucked at that secret place, pulling out an orgasm so strong she’d felt boneless afterward. Until reality had struck, and he’d gone. But this time, Lucas looked very comfortable in his spot, and he was smirking up at her.
“Help me lift yer skirts,” he said in a rough voice that made her feel wanton and desired.
She did so, and his calloused hands pushed underneath, pressing through her underthings until they found her, wet and swollen with need. She sucked in a breath, not realizing how much she’d missed the feel of his touch.
He rubbed his thumb over the aperture of her center, the motion sending a fresh shudder through her as she realized the pleasure that was to come. It was warm, hot even, and unlike the waves in the sea they swam in only a day ago. His thumb kept moving languidly over her.
Then, he was gone, disappearing underneath her skirts, his hot mouth on her. She leaned back on her hands, her legs completely wide and open as he made her feel the pleasure she’d wantedfrom him. Finally, there were no real secrets between them, and she could feel what he gave with the hope of a future.
