Page 68 of The Highlander's Temporary Bride
“Aye. In our place, I do, Emma,” he said. “Did ye nae ask for more? Although…” He tilted his head to the side. “It might be easier if ye’re nae wearin’ yer gown.”
“Oh, yes, I don’t want to ruin it,” Emma said and bit her lip.
Grant stood up and quickly helped her take off her gown, then her petticoats, until she stood in nothing but her chemise, with her corset and underclothes underneath. He tugged on her chemise, and she slowly peeled it off.
Her nerve endings prickled as the air whispered over her bare skin, and she gazed at Grant as he took her in.
“Is this enough?” she asked, more boldly than she felt.
He closed his eyes and murmured something in Gaelic, then gave a curt nod. “Nay more. I dinnae ken if I’d be able to—” He swallowed hard, and then his eyes flew open.
Before Emma could take another breath, he was kissing her, devouring her. She was pressed back against the rockface, and one of his hands delved into her hair while the other slid down her neck, then over her breast and ribs. Then, he cupped her sex, and she bucked against him.
Grant teased and petted her through her smallclothes, and she moaned into his mouth.
“I must taste ye,” he suddenly snarled, and he went down on his knees again.
It was only when he lifted her leg and placed it on his shoulder, kissing the inside of her knee, that Emma realized what he’d meant.
A gasp escaped her lips. She’d once heard of such a thing and had always been curious about it.
She looked down at this powerful man kneeling before her, raising an eyebrow at her, and a smile spread across her face.
Something flared in Grant’s eyes, and he shook his head. “Ye are a dangerous creature, Emma Wells.”
“I-I’ve heard about this,” she admitted, “once, and I-I was curious. My friends were alarmed, but I…”
“Ah,” Grant purred. “Happy to teach ye pleasure, Me Lady.”
And with that, he tore her smallclothes in two and buried his tongue between her folds. Emma cried out, tugging on his hair, and her head lolled back. She could not have been quiet if she tried, crying out in agonized bliss as her entire body lit up.
He devoured her with his wicked tongue, and her entire body quivered and shook around him. She never wanted it to stop, and Grant took his time until he had to hold her up because she’d gone so weak with pleasure.
With Laird Ronson kneeling at her feet, giving her mindless pleasure, Emma looked up at the stars and let herself explode among them.
After, when she had floated back down to earth, they lay on the grass for a while, kissing and talking of idle things in a way she’donly ever done with her mother and Helena. Emma reveled in the feel of Grant’s hand sliding up her bare leg and wanted to feel his chest against hers, wanted to cross that final line. Oh, if only she could give herself to him, as she was told she could only give herself to a husband.
Yet both of them seemed to know they could go no further.
Finally, after kissing until the moon had risen overhead and the night had grown cold, they rose to their feet.
Grant helped her get back into the dress, murmuring compliments, and then pulled her against him.
“I didnae realize how cold it would get,” he said. “Stay close—I cannae believe I didnae bring a cloak with me. What fool I am. I hope ye dinnae catch a chill.”
Emma’s heart swelled at his sweet words as they walked back to the castle.
And as they approached the castle, Grant suddenly slowed down. He pressed a lingering kiss to her temple before pulling her into a tight embrace.
“Thank ye, Emma,” he murmured into her ear. “I will never forget this night so long as I live. And I will never return to that place without ye.”
Emma tried to speak but was too overcome with emotions. She could only hold on to him as she wished that the night would somehow go on forever.
But by the time they reached the gates, her last day at Banrose had finally come.
Emma woke up after a few fitful hours of sleep, her entire body wracked with exhaustion and an impending sense of falling off a cliff. She took a long bath, but it did not help. All her muscles remained tense, bracing for the impact as she bid the maids to bring her a snack and a trunk.
Moving slowly, she first gathered up her letters, stashing them in a smart bag that Brenda had given to her yesterday morning. Then, she set about going through her gowns, unsure what she should take with her and what she should leave.
