Page 117 of The Highlander's Princess Bride
She stared up into his handsome, wonderful face, and her willpower slipped completely away as she tumbled into helpless, hopeless love. She wanted him so much it made her chest ache.
“Wear it for me, at least just for tonight.” He feathered a soft kiss across her lips.
Victoria slid her hands around his neck and went nose to nose with him. “All right, Nicholas.”
His eyes flared bright with triumph, and he rose, pulling her up with him. Sweeping her into his arms, he strode toward the canopied bed.
Tomorrow.I’ll write to Dominic tomorrow.She would tell her mentor in no uncertain terms that she refused to keep secrets any longer.
And then thoughts of anything but Nicholas scattered like flotsam as he plopped her on the bed and braced his fists on either side of her thighs.
“I’m going to make love to you now, Victoria,” he said gruffly. “Is that all right?”
She had to swallow twice before she could answer. “Yes, please. Sir.”
A husky laugh was his only reply as he began to undress her, starting first with her shoes and stockings. In no time at all, he’d stripped them from her body, reaching up under her skirts to quickly work her garters down her legs. She shivered at the feel of his big hands brushing over her skin, sending waves of delicious anticipation rocketing through her body.
Nicholas tossed her stockings and garters in the general direction of the chair.
“My lord, those stockings were very expensive,” she said, shocked by his cavalier attitude.
“I know exactly how much this ensemble cost, lass,” he said wryly. “I paid for it.”
She tentatively stroked his broad shoulders. His hard muscles twitched beneath her fingertips. “And it was very nice of you to do so.”
He tipped up her chin, studying her expression. “Victoria, I want you so much I can barely see straight, but there’s no need to rush this.”
“I am a little nervous,” she confessed.
“Just tell me if there’s anything I do that makes you uncomfortable. All right?”
He looked so serious that she couldn’t help smiling. “That sounds perfect.”
“Good. Now are you ready to get out of that dress?”
She heaved a dramatic sigh. “Yes, although it’s so beautiful that I hate to take it off.”
“I can work around that,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “Although it might get wrinkled by the time I’m finished.”
“Goodness, that would be dreadful,” she said, pretending to be shocked.
When she reached behind to unfasten her buttons, he brushed her hands away and swiftly undid the buttons before whisking both her chemise and gown over her head.
He certainly wasn’t wasting any time.
When he looked like he was about to fling the garments over his shoulder, she scowled. “Don’t even dare.”
He snorted, then swiped up the stockings from the floor and casually tossed the bundle of clothing onto a chair.
“Happy, now?” he asked.
She had to stifle a smile. “Your courtesy is much appreciated, my lord.”
“What I appreciate is the way you look right now,” he said as his gaze roamed over her body.
She blushed, feeling awkward to be perched on the edge of the bed wearing nothing but her new stays. Unlike her usual undergarments, the front-lacing set was frivolous in the extreme. Embroidered with pink and red flowers, it was trimmed with red silk bows on the straps. Because it was cut so low and close to the body, it did a spectacular job of pushing up her breasts to form plump mounds. Although Victoria had initially been reluctant to wear them, the modiste had claimed the new ball gown wouldn’t fit properly without them.
“I’m glad you approve,” she joked, “because they were ridiculously expensive.”
