Page 27 of How to Be a Scottish Mistress

“We can stay here, if ye like,” he offered.

She nodded. Gavin moved closer, deeply conscious of the small space. He inhaled her spicy lavender scent, and a heady warmth encircled him, far more powerful than all the ale he had drunk earlier tonight. The tangle in his gut drew into tight knots. He felt hot. Needy. Primed.

How was he possibly going to keep his lust at bay and not frighten her witless?

He tried a smile. She squinted up at him.

Ah, hell.

He had fantasied about what was hidden beneath the confines of Fiona’s simple gown from the moment she had knelt before him in the great hall. Now, at last, was the time to indulge that curiosity.

Gavin stepped between her legs, bringing the full length of Fiona’s body flush against his, with only a thin layer of their garments separating them. Groaning, he cupped her lush buttocks, pressing her softness against his stiffening manhood.

She seemed confused, opening her mouth to speak, then closing it. He pulled her closer and she stiffened in his embrace, letting him know she had no true desire for him. The gesture disturbed him. He didn’t know why. Or maybe he just didn’t want to believe that the object of his intense passion was indifferent to him.

Well, there really was only one way to uncover the truth.

“Ye’re trembling. Tell me true, are ye afraid of me, Fiona?”

She turned her head away and his heart sank.

“I don’t fear you, my lord. I’m nervous. And worried that I will not please you.”

She was lying. Her gaze wouldn’t meet his and she worried her bottom lip back and forth between her teeth so rapidly it turned bright red. Dammit! The last thing he wanted was for her to be afraid of him.

“Where’s the bold lass who offered herself to me so brazenly this afternoon?”

She lifted her chin, a blushing spot of color burning on each cheek. “I am here, my lord. As we agreed.”

“Gavin. Call me Gavin.” He sighed, then touched a finger to her mouth. “We’ll go slowly. Though I cannae promise fer how long.”

Wrapping one arm around her back, he tipped her off balance. Her eyes widened as she gazed up into his face. Gavin leaned down and kissed her. He tasted her shock and wondered if she had underestimated her own sexual allure. He molded his mouth to her soft, yielding lips and pressed harder.

She let out a quiet moan, then opened her lips to let him inside, the erotic sensation of her tongue dueling with his igniting a flame deep within him. She tasted faintly of wine—and mint—a lustful, heady combination.

He kissed her again, unprepared for the torment that spread rapidly through him.More. I want more.

He nibbled at the tender spot behind her ear, savoring the sweetness. Everything about her tasted delicious.

Returning to her plump, ruby lips, Gavin ravished her mouth as his hunger grew. For an instant the world seemed to spin away. The taste of her mouth was more intoxicating than the finest French wine. Moving down, he lowered her nightclothes and pressed his mouth to the valley between her breasts, nuzzling that tender spot.

It was torture, but Gavin waited until he felt her body relax and slacken before taking one of the nipples fully into his mouth and twirling it around his tongue.

Fiona moaned, louder this time, and plunged her fingers into his hair. Encouraged, Gavin peeled away the rest of her nightclothes and eased her back on the small, narrow bed. ’Twas impossible to believe the fire coursing through his veins could have flared any hotter, yet when Gavin positioned himself over her and looked down, his control nearly snapped.

She gazed back up at him with hooded eyes, darkened with passion and curiosity. His eyes had adjusted well to the moonlit chamber and he could see the outline of her ample breasts, small waist, and slim hips. He took a moment to study her exquisite form, the sight hardening his already pulsing erection.

“Shall we go a wee bit faster now?” he whispered.

Her hands fisted in his hair, giving him the answer he desired. Gavin dragged in a shaky breath and slipped his hand between her long, shapely legs, gliding down her inner thighs and back up. Her eyes blazed like glowing emeralds, her face flushed a delicate shade of pink, deepening her beauty. Gavin’s erotic imagination took flight, making him wonder what she’d look like after spending a carnal night in his bed.

“Ye’re so beautiful,” he murmured.

Fiona snorted. “There’s no need for false flattery. We made a bargain, you and I. I shall freely give you what you seek.”

He pulled back. “Ye doubt my words, lass?”

“I . . .” She lowered her chin, averting her eyes. “I am unused to hearing such tender expressions. Henry was the only man who ever called me beautiful.”

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