Page 38 of To Wed a Laird
As he moved inside her, his thrusts became harder and faster, and she clung to him as a thrilling sensation began tobuild inside her. At first, it was faint, like the brush of a feather, then it began to build and intensify, till at last it exploded into a sensation of complete ecstasy. Stars sparkled before her eyes, and her body shuddered with waves of pleasure, until gradually she descended into a delicious languor.
Cormac watched her, reaching his own fierce climax. He had forgotten what it felt like to see someone reach their ultimate fulfilment, and the sensation filled him with warmth.
He rolled away from Rose and drew her into his arms, then kissed her tenderly. “Was that what you expected?” he asked softly, smiling as he looked into the eyes that had captivated him at first sight.
“No,” she answered. “I had heard that it hurt, that it was something to be endured—but I knew it could not be like that, or I would not have wanted you so much. Cormac. It-it was the most wonderful experience of my life. Thank you.”
“No, thank you, Rose… for everything.” Cormac wrapped his arms around her and pulled her even more closely against him.
Rose sighed with satisfaction. She was home, safe in the shelter of Cormac’s arms. She had no idea what the future held, but at this moment it was enough that she was beside him. It was a memory she would carry with her forever.
Gradually, her eyes drifted closed and Cormac pulled the blanket over her beautiful body. He had absolutely no intention of letting her out of his bed before morning.
No other woman had made him feel this way since Catherine died; Rose brought out a side of him he thought he had lost. He felt masculine, powerful, even sensual, and this woman in his arms was the cause of it all. He wished the night could last forever because he wanted her to stay there.
“Goodnight, love,” he murmured, kissing her forehead before closing his eyes to enjoy the best night’s sleep he had had for years.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Rose hadno idea where she was for a moment when she opened her eyes the next morning. Sunlight was streaming through a gap in the curtains, illuminating the room with a soft golden glow.
She was nestled in soft warmth and had an unaccustomed feeling of being sheltered and protected. She yawned and stretched, and it was only then that she realised where she was as her arm brushed Cormac’s face, and she heard his low rumble of laughter. It was at that moment that she noticed his arm around her waist, and the events of the previous night came back to her.
She felt a tumble of confusing emotions; joy because she knew the ecstasy of making love at last, fear that Cormac would regret their coming together, and the almost painful intensity of her feelings for him. As well as that, there was the sadness of knowing that he probably did not feel the same.
She turned around to face him, and found his blue eyes waiting for her. Up close, she could see flecks of green in them, and she realised that his eyelashes were longer and thicker than any other man’s she had ever seen. She raised her hand to brushit against the growth of his new day’s beard, and loved the pleasant rasping sensation on her palms.
He kissed her, slowly and gently, moving his lips slowly and tenderly against hers. Rose felt the sweet pulse of her arousal beginning again and whimpered in longing, but Cormac drew away from her to look into her eyes with a soft smile.
“Good morning,” he said softly. “Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have for a long time,” Rose answered.
“I did too,” he replied. “I sometimes have nightmares, but you chased them all away, Rose. Thank you.” He planted a soft kiss on her mouth and ran a hand gently over her hair.
Rose looked at his lips, the lips that had given her so much pleasure, and ran her thumb over them, then gazed into his blue eyes.
“What did you think of the ceilidh last night?” he asked.
Rose frowned. “The what?” she asked.
“The celebration,” he replied, laughing. “I’m sorry, Rose. I keep forgetting these are foreign words to you.”
“It was wonderful!” she replied. “I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed myself so much. And now that I know how to make a toast without making a fool of myself, I feel a little better. When I first came here, I knew nothing, and I felt so stupid.”
Cormac studied her carefully for a moment. “But there are still problems,” he observed.
Rose nodded. “The staff still do not like me much,” she said sadly. “Every time I open my mouth, someone scowls at me. I understand the history between your country and mine, but I would never hurt any one of you.”
Cormac hugged her. “I know, Rose,” he agreed. “I don’t think you have a bad bone in your body, but some of my servants have had very bad experiences with your countrymen. Try to understand.”
“Have you killed any of my people?” Rose asked fearfully. “I know you are a warrior.”
“Only in self-defence. ” Cormac admitted. “But I suppose that makes me a monster in your eyes.” His face was sad, and he looked away from her.
“No, Cormac.” Rose turned him back to face her. “You were doing what you had to do. You had no choice. I could never hate you for that.”
Cormac sighed with relief. “I am so glad to hear that.” He smiled. “You know, Rose, you are the first woman I have been with since Catherine died.”
