Page 43 of Taken By the Ruthless Highlander
The rhythm and speed of his thrusts quickened, bringing her to the brink of the unknown. It was as if her body was no longer hers to control. Somehow, with a single touch, Ryder had found a way to override every command she gave it.
“Aye, I swear,” Morgana moaned.
Ryder’s teeth grazed her earlobe as he pulled his fingers out of her. “Good. Now, go to bed. And remember, I’ll kill anyone who sees ye.”
13
Ryder bounced his leg, his eyes straying to the door once again. His heart fluttered as he wondered what expression Morgana would have on her face. Would her cheeks still be flushed? Or maybe he’d see a glimpse of the yearning burning deep within her.
“It is our right to ken if there’s an heir on the way,” Nathan droned on in the background.
The only reason Ryder had granted him an audience was to placate the council. Had he known he’d get his ear chewed off, he would have prohibited him from crossing the threshold.
“Aye, I can read and understand the contract better than ye think,” Ryder muttered as he glanced around the man, hoping Morgana would walk in.
How he wanted to caress her smooth, soft skin once again. The night had been complete torture for him. It took every ounce of his strength not to follow her to her room, or claim her in one of the dark rooms or secret nooks scattered about the castle.
“Ye havenae consummated yer marriage yet, have ye?” Nathan asked, arching a suspicious eyebrow.
Ryder let out a dark chuckle and shifted in his seat as he fixed him with a stern look. “I didnae ken ye wanted the bedsheets to be hung out of the window like the heathens do,” he drawled.
“If it pleases the Laird,” Nathan answered, his voice low and raspy. “Doin’ that will put the clansfolk at ease, for they’ll ken that the future of the clan is secure.”
“Ye sound like my faither,” Ryder remarked, his eyes narrowing. “Is that how ye got the position on the council? Did ye weasel yer way into it?”
“Yer faither gave it to me because I am good at what I do,” Nathan shot back, the anger in his voice evident.
Ryder folded his arms over his chest and shot him a glare. “And what exactly do ye do? Because from where I’m standin’, all ye have ever done is hinder my happiness. Yer grievances against my wife are invalid. And I’d thank ye kindly to stop stirrin’ up strife in the clan about the matter. I’ve married Morgana. She’s mine now. What I do with her is none of the council’s business.”
As if on cue, a light rap sounded at the door.
His heart skipped a beat as he turned to the door. There she was, standing like the vision she was. Ryder didn’t have a clue as to how she managed to make the room brighter, but the second she stepped into the study, it was as if she had brought the sun with her.
“Forgive me,” she said, her eyes flicking from him to Nathan and back again.
Her timidness made Ryder want to laugh. Was she nervous to see him so soon? Surely it wasn’t a flush of embarrassment crawling up her cheeks. Not after her defiance and bravery last night.
“I was told ye wanted to see me,” she continued, fiddling with her fingers.
“Aye.” Ryder leaned back in his leather chair. “Would ye be so kind as to inform Nathan here that our marriage is secure and how we are tryin’ for an heir?”
It was a moment of truth. He stared at her, wondering how she’d handle being put on the spot. His chest swelled with pride as she rose to the occasion.
“Did ye want details?” Morgana asked, shifting her gaze to Nathan. “I can tell ye that the Laird’s hands are firm yet as gentle as his kisses. I didnae think to hang out the sheets, as very few people attended the weddin’.”
Pride shot through Ryder like thunder rolling through the valley.
However, Nathan’s brow creased with irritation. With his fists balled at his sides, he stepped aside to let her approach the desk.
“And unfortunately, I dinnae think that’s somethin’ we can replicate,” Morgana said with a wry smile. “But if ye want to call on a healer or a midwife to inspect me…”
“That willnae be necessary,” Nathan hissed, ire radiating from him.
Ryder watched Morgana, gauging her reaction. Would she flinch or stand her ground?
“If there is nothin’ else ye wanted to harass me with, then ye can leave,” he barked.
Though his words were directed at Nathan, it was Morgana who turned around and headed for the door.
