Page 61 of The Ruthless Highlander's Hellion
"Ah! I am so pleased! This is unbelievably good fortune!" Alexandra could hardly contain her excitement.
Erica laughed. "I'm still mullin’ it over meself."
A grin spread across Alexandra’s face as she stood to pour another round of whiskey. “Well then, this calls for celebratin’.”
She bowed low as she handed Erica the mug and playfully said, "Lady McLaren."
Erica laughed and took the mug.
Later, after Erica stepped from the tub and wrapped herself in one of Alexandra’s robes, they sat side by side and ate heartily. The table was covered in roasted pheasant glazed with honey, hot rolls with sweet butter, spiced apples, and thick slices of creamy cheese. They shared laughter between bites and drank until the fire burned low. For the first time in days, Alexandra felt peace settle in her bones.
After Erica drifted into sleep, her breathing soft and steady beneath the quilt, Alexandra gently slipped from the room. She looked back once, her heart aching with affection for the girl who had always been more sister than servant.
Quietly, she padded down the corridor, the stone floors cool beneath her feet. Her pulse quickened as she reached the door to Nicholas’s study and knocked once before entering.
Nicholas stood at the hearth, his tunic unlaced at the collar, eyes weary from the day’s battle. He looked up, surprised to see her, but his expression softened at the sight of her. She didn’t wastetime with pleasantries—her voice was firm, though her hands trembled slightly.
"Thank ye for returnin’ her to me," she said.
"Ye’re welcome. I'd do anythin’ for ye," he said.
"Is it true? Is Leo dead and is Erica to take his place?" she asked.
"Aye. A fortunate turn of events that could nae have come at a better time. This way we avoid war for takin’ Leo's life," he said.
"And we are all safe, Charlie, too," she said.
"Aye, Charlie is safe. I just saw him to bed an hour ago. A strong lad," he said.
“A strong lad that deserves a maither," she said. "Ye once asked me to marry ye… instead of Leo.”
His brow arched, slow and deliberate. “Aye,” he said, stepping toward her, “and I still hold true to that request.”
Alexandra’s breath caught as she nodded, heart pounding. “Then I accept. I’ll marry ye, and I’ll be a maither to yer son, raise him as me own. If ye’ll still have me.”
Nicholas’s eyes darkened with emotion as he closed the distance between them. “Are ye sure, lass? This is what ye want?”
“I’m sure,” she whispered, her voice shaking with joy and nerves. “We’ll need me brother Caelan’s blessin’, but I’ll face him if ye’ll face him beside me.”
He gave a low chuckle, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “That’ll nae be a problem.”
Then, without another word, he kissed her fiercely.
The kiss deepened, urgent and hungry, years of restraint breaking in an instant. She gasped as Nicholas swept an arm across the desk, sending papers and ink pots clattering to the floor.
He lifted her easily, setting her atop the now-cleared desk, their mouths never parting. Her hands clutched at his shoulders as his lips traced along her jaw, sending shivers down her spine.
“Nicholas,” she gasped, her fingers curling in his hair.
“Alexandra,” he murmured, pulling her close, his touch reverent and aching with longing. “I have to taste ye before I go mad.”
“What? I daenae understand…” she said but before she could finish Nicholas pulled the layers from under her skirt.
Peeling away until there was nothing between him and her sacred place.
With slow purpose, he slid off her boots. She watched as he untied the ribbon from her stocking at her thigh. Then he rolled the stocking down her leg. His fingers grazed her skin. Anticipation grew within her as he did the same routine on the other leg.
He leaned down and pressed his lips to the top of her foot, his warm breath making her shiver despite the heat of the hearth radiating around them.
