Page 48 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

Their conversation was interrupted as a fleet of servants arrived with loaded platters, placing them about the table so everyone could serve themselves. The rest of the meal passed very pleasantly, and Arne continued to surprise and perplex Raven by catering to her every desire, insisting on asking her what she would like to eat and then serving it to her, just as though they were a proper couple.

The change in him was so startling, there were moments when she suspected he had finally forgiven her for breaking his heart.Or is he merely relenting a bit because he hopes that once he delivers me me home, he’ll nae have tae see me very often?Since she could not be sure which it was, she resolved not let herself get her hopes up.

After dinner, Arne disappeared with Haldor to inspect the guards, while Raven stayed at the table, talking to Sofia about their family for a little while. Finally, with a lot on her mind she needed time to think about alone, she bid Sofia goodnight and returned to her chamber.

Laurel was already there, on her knees, banking up the fire for the night. “Ah, there ye are, melady,” she said, smiling over her shoulder as Raven came in. “Are ye feelin’ better?”

“Aye, much better, Laurel, thank ye,” Raven replied, return her smile. Having worked as maid herself, she had a lot of sympathy for the hard work that went into it. “Have ye had yer supper yet?” she asked, going over to sit next to the hearth where Laurel was busy.

“Nay, nae yet. I’ll have it later. I thought ye might need me tae help ye change fer bed.” The maid replied, standing up, putting the poker back, and brushing her hands on her apron.

“There’s nae need fer that. If ye would just undae me dress and unlace me stays fer me, I can dae the rest by mesel’, so ye can go and have yer supper.”

“Are ye sure, melady?” Laurel asked, looking startled yet pleased.

“Aye, of course. I’m nae helpless, ye ken,” Raven replied jokingly.

“Well, ’tis right thoughtful of ye, melady, thank ye,” the maid said, and proceeded to do as Raven asked.

When Laurel was gone and Raven finally climbed into bed, she settled down with her book for a quiet read before going to sleep. She tried to focus on it, but after a while her thoughts grew restless and began to drift to Arne. She thought back in her mind to all that he had done for her and felt bad for having lost her temper with him earlier.

If nae fer him, I’d likely be dead at the bottom of the sea. He looked after me so well and didnae give me away tae those MacDonald men. And he’s let me see Thorsten as much as I want.

When she actually thought about it, the list of things he had done for her despite the way she had lied to him and hurt him was quite astonishing. It came to her then that she owed him far more thanks than she had given him.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Wide awake, Raven felt the urge to go and express her fulsome gratitude to him right away, so he would have no doubt about how much she appreciated him. She was not sure he would be in his chambers yet, but she thought she would go and see. Getting it off her chest felt like the only way she might get some sleep.

Gathering her courage, she got out of bed and put on her robe and slippers. Then she lit a candle, opened the door and peeked outside. The hallway was dimly lit by oil lamps at each end, and it was empty. On silent feet, she padded over to his door and tapped gently upon it. There was no answer, but she was sure she could hear noises coming from inside. He was in there but evidently could not hear her. Now she had screwed up her courage, she was not about to give up. She hesitated only for a moment before turning the handle and gently pushing the door open, meaning only to pop her head around the door to alert him to her presence.

But when she did, the sight that met her eyes was so arresting, she had to cover her mouth to stifle her gasp and almost dropped the candlestick.

There, on the hearthrug before a blazing fire, was Arne. He was lazing naked in the bath tub, his knees poking up, his hair tied up atop his head. He was resting his head against the end of the tub, his eyes closed.

Through the misty white tendrils of steam rising about him, Raven could see everything! She was rooted to the spot, her pulse starting to race, unable to do anything but stare at him in fascination. The sight of his wet, muscular body stole her breath away, and she felt the deep, undeniable pull of attraction in her belly.

A jolt went through her when he suddenly opened his eyes and saw her standing there. Neither of them spoke. He merely fixed her with his piercing blue gaze, a small smile curving the corners of his lips as he stared right back at her. Fearing someone would pass by and see, Raven quickly stepped inside and shut the door, even though she knew she ought to have been on the other side of it.

Instead of covering himself, Arne reached down, took hold of his manhood, and began slowly stroking himself, his eyes locked on Raven’s. She felt her cheeks flush, knowing she should look away. But somehow, she found it impossible to tear her eyes from him. With her heart thumping and finding it hard to breathe, the very air in the room felt charged with raw, unspoken desire.

Suddenly, Arne rose up from the water, rhythmically pumping his growing erection in his fist. He paused as if deliberately taunting her, pleasuring himself while the water cascaded in sparkling rivulets down every inch of his magnificent, muscle-packed physique. He stepped out of the tub and walked towards Raven.

She quivered, her body tingling all over as he approached. Everything in her was straining towards him, as if they were magnets being inexorably drawn together. When he stood but a few inches away from her, she felt the heat coming off him burning her through her clothes. She looked up as he leaned down, cradled her head in his hands, and teased her lips with the tip of his tongue.

Raven moaned softly, the thrill racing through her entire body as he traced the outline of her mouth, his tongue flickering in and out tantalizingly. She stood on her tiptoes, reached up, and put her arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet her. He pulled her in tightly to his naked length, his erection pressing against her belly, sending her almost wild with wanting.

“Och, Arne,” she breathed, overwhelmed by the flood of pent-up desire that washed over her and pooled hotly between her thighs. Eagerly, she pressed her lips to his, opening her mouth, savoring the taste and warmth of his, their tongues sliding together as they explored each other hungrily, the kiss deepening in intensity, their mutual passion a bonfire they would willingly throw themselves upon.

Abandoning herself to the delirium of the moment, Raven ran her hands all over Arne’s naked torso, delighting in the feel of him, her palms skimming the smooth, warm skin of his back, his waist and hips, his high, rounded buttocks, feeling the battle scars that stood slightly proud. It was all so familiar and yet so new at the same time. She had missed it so much!

At the same time as she was exploring him, his hands were exploring her curves, running over the indent of her waist, the swell of her hips, filling his palms with her behind and squeezing the twin globes. Their breath came increasingly raggedly as the passion heightened. Raven knew where it would end, and she wanted it with every fiber of her being. There was no turning back now!

That was until they were rudely interrupted by the sound of the maids’ voices out in the hallway. They froze. Raven felt his erection subside, the effect of the jarring interruption.

“Dammit!” Arne swore angrily under his breath, releasing Raven and disentangling himself from her arms. “’Tis the maids, comin’ tae collect the bathtub.”

Quickly regaining his composure, he went and opened the door a crack, hiding his nakedness. “I’m nae finished,” he told the maids. “Can ye come back in a quarter of an hour?”

---