Page 73 of When a Highlander Vows
Outside her door, she turned to face him. Percy meowed to get into her chamber, and Fallows scratched, so she opened her door, and then turned back. Lucas was standing in front of her, his hands behind his back, and Caitlin frowned.
“Ye willnae come in?” she asked, disappointed, and he shook his head.
“Nay. Ye need yer rest. If I stay, we would be daein’ anythin’ but restin’.” His hungry look made her breathe in slowly, and she smiled, anticipating such a pleasure.
“Aye, but what if that is what I want?” she asked, reaching out for his shirt again as she had before, making him step closer to her.
“Me bold lass,” he said with a smile before kissing her.
She pulled him tight, hoping she could convince him with a kiss. His beard tickled against her mouth, making her warm and wet, ready again to feel his body against hers as he brought her to pleasure.
“I never thought I was so bold,” she said, when their lips parted. “I had never thought it of meself before. I suppose ye make me bolder with the way ye are always so confident and strong.”
Her hands slid up his shoulders, and when they met at the back of his neck, his eyes flashed at her with unspoken desire.
“I love that ye think me thus. But in yer presence, I feel as unschooled as a young boy, nervous about me every move,” he said honestly, and then he looked surprised that he had been so honest.
“Truly? One would never know.” She kissed him again, lightly on the lips, and he gripped her waist, holding her tight before he let her go and stepped back.
“Ye must let me go, Caitlin, for me willpower is about to snap.”
She sighed. If he wanted to be noble, then she would have to let him. She was tired, and tomorrow, she wanted to be at full strength to start their lives together.
“All right,” she said, stepping backward into her chamber, not letting her gaze drop.
A little growl escaped his throat, and she laughed, then shut the door in his face. Arla came soon after to help her to undress, and had brought a bath as well.
Once Caitlin slipped inside the warm water, she could tell Arla was eager to ask her something, and so with a chuckle, she said, “Go on, Arla. Ye seem to want to talk. What is it?”
Arla grinned and she turned to face Caitlin. “Ye must forgive me, Miss, but everyone is discussin’ it. Did the Laird bring ye a special gift? A gift to help ye see?”
“Aye,” Caitlin said, motioning to the table next to her bed. “They are there. The spectacles. It is incredible what they can dae. I never imagined it possible.”
She watched as Arla went to them and picked them up reverently, turning them over in her hands before setting them back down.
“Miss!” she cried. “How romantic!” She rushed back to Caitlin’s side. “Dae ye nae think?”
“I—” she began, not sure what to say after all that had happened. It was not a great secret, yet she did not want to share something so private. “It is a kind gesture. Very kind,” she settled on saying.
Arla winked at her. “Yer secret is safe with me. I ken the Laird cares for ye, Lass, ye daenae have to say anythin’.”
Caitlin couldn’t help it. She smiled as Arla finished her tasks about the chamber and bid her good night. In her rose-scented bath, Caitlin wondered at what a beautiful future lay ahead of her. Her life thus far had been full of sadness and darkness and loss, but now, she was able to find the happiness that had long been awaiting her. It was within her grasp.
37
Lucas couldn’t sleep. He lay awake in his bed, staring up at the canopy of his bed, both arms under his head. It wasn’t just that his body was thrumming with desire, so ready to be with Caitlin and take her to new heights of pleasure that she’d never known before. But it was also that he could finally see the loneliness of his old life.
Despite the large fire in the hearth, his chamber felt cold. Despite how small it had once seemed once before, his chamber now seemed massive, far too large for just one man sleeping on his own. He wanted her body, of course, but he wantedher.He wanted her right next to him in his bed so that he could curl her body into his, and he could keep his arm across her all night.
He wanted a life with her from first light to first darkness. He wanted more than stolen moments in his study or out in the garden. He wanted her around him all day every day. He wanted to see the way she lived her daily life, the way she’d become the Lady of the Castle, the way she’d open up and blossom under her new happiness.
He wanted to learn every detail about her and add to what he already knew. She loved roses, animals, adventure. She loved people and wanted them to be happy and loved. She missed her brother terribly, and yet she took her grief in stride. She was strong, beautiful, interesting, and intelligent. Everything he could aspire to with her at his side. He not only loved her, but he craved her, even if he could not tell her just yet. Even if the words simply would not come.
After another few minutes, he stood, sliding out of bed, naked as the day he was born. He stood in front of his hearth for a few seconds, hands on his hips.
Nay one would ken if I slipped into her chamber.
He had worried about Caitlin’s reputation if he’d spend another night in there with her. But after he saw everyone’s happy face downstairs, he knew that would not disapprove, although his Nan would push them to marry as soon as possible. That was not a problem for him, but he too wanted to make himself better before he asked Caitlin to be his wife. He wanted to be confident that he could offer himself as a proper husband. For that was what she deserved.
