Page 21 of The Duke's Improper Bride
And Isaac had a duty to the crown.
Though his heart was elsewhere. He feared that leaving would mean leaving behind his heart in Scotland.
He was a coward for walking into the MacAllens’ the night before without saying a word to Nora. But the trip from Edinburgh had been a long one, and Stuart had not gone willingly. The man was a blackguard, and Isaac was thankful Nora would no longer be marrying him. Isaac’s legs ached from being in the carriage all day, so it had taken him longer to limp up into the house when he deposited the soon-to-be newlyweds back at Esslemont Abbey.
Nora had been there on the stairs, gazing down at him like Nike personified, clutching onto the railing. But he had noted her red eyes. He always saw what the others ignored and what she tried so hard to hide from the world.
She stood above them all, far more deserving of love, her shoulders carrying the quiet strength he loved most about her. It had taken every ounce of strength he had left not to walk up those stairs, scoop her up in his arms, and kiss her properly.
Nora MacAllen needed to be kissed and kissed well. And Isaac was more than up to the challenge.
But now that he had done his part to set things right with Maeve and Stuart, things had grown complicated by Mr. MacAllen’s demands that the two be married. Isaac couldn’t help but feel he had hurt Nora in the process by having returned the two lovers.
Though without his help, the family would have been splintered and left to find their younger daughter on their own. Not that they had done anything. Which only meant that Nora would have taken it upon herself.
Something protective within Isaac made him volunteer for the task. Mrs. White was right, he was exactly the person they had needed to find Maeve, who, to the surprise of her father but not Isaac, was staying with Stuart in a rundown bawdy house not far from the Royal Lyceum Theatre. Isaac had entered the room to find the couple in bed with an actress, the trio not ashamed to have been discovered.
And Isaac was all too relieved to have found the pair so he could return to Nora.
How could there be anything more than that quiet, sad kiss between them when he was to leave?
He rolled over in bed, cursing the soft mattress. Damn bed. Damn Scotland. Damn that miserable bastard who didn’t know a good woman when he had her. Damn Isaac’s own heart for being so easily owned.
No, that wasn’t correct. Not this time.
Isaac was possessed by Nora. He couldn’t get her out of his mind, out from beneath his skin. With each breath, his body craved her. More, more. He wanted to consume her and breathe her and taste her. He wanted to sink into the heat between her legs and give her pleasure and hear the song of it upon her lips. Those sweet, perfect lips. He wanted to see her windswept in the highlands and to hear her laugh as the sun washed over the freckles splashed across her face. And greedy as it was to admit, he wished to feel her hand slip into his and experience the sudden peace that washed over him at not pretending to be so lonely in this life.
His body ached, but not as badly as his cock. He reached beneath the covers and gripped his shaft, already hard in his hands, and stroked. He kept his eyes closed, imagining Nora before him. How he would slowly undress her, how he would taste the salt of her skin, skirting his lips over the gentle slope of her shoulder. How he would draw away her lacy undergarments with his fingers, so delicate, as his mouth trailed behind, tasting every inch of her.
Isaac gripped himself more firmly, his hips tightening. He had never been a religious man, but by God, would he love her right if ever given the chance. He would love her and honor her and show her what it meant to be man and wife. He would see that she understood what love could feel like.
Warmth pulled at his limbs, spreading throughout his body in an intoxicating rush. He increased his pace, his breathing quickening.
He pictured her laid out in front of him on the bed, the sheets twisted in her palms as he showered kisses down her body, parting her before him so he could taste her on his lips. And how she would shake at his touch and run her fingers through his hair, then pull it as she came—with his tongue between her thighs.
He stopped, thinking for a moment he had heard a knock at the door. But it was too early for anyone to call. The sun wasn’t even up. And fuck, he was close to spending himself. It had been far too long, and the need was there, his balls aching.
He gripped his shaft, tugging hard, until once again, there was that sound at the door.
God damn it all to hell.
He groaned as he sat up, quickly throwing on his trousers to see who was at the door. He checked his pocket watch—half past five—as he shuffled out of his room. Anyone in their right mind would be sleeping at this hour.
Isaac adjusted himself quickly, hoping his frustration wasn’t too obvious, before he swung the door open, fully prepared to bark at whoever had interrupted him. “Do you know—”
Nora stood with eyes wide and lips parted, the Scottish Highlands having kissed her cheeks red.
“—It’s early,” he sputtered. “I—”
Nora threw down her bags and rushed forward, grabbing his face in her cold hands and kissed him.
This wasn’t sad or quiet. This rioted through him, shaking Isaac awake with its passion.
He fell back a step, allowing her inside, before he turned her in his arms and kicked the door shut behind them.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she said, drawing her lips away from his for a moment. “Couldn’t—”
He teased her bottom lip with his teeth, drawing out a sigh. “I couldn’t either. I’ve been thinking of you.”
