Page 22 of Married to the Highland Devil
Amelia did not hear another sound from him, so she reached out to try to find him.
“I am right here.” He took her hand, placed it on his cheek, and then she heard his sigh.
She said no words as her hand moved over his skin and re-learned the angles of his face. When her fingers skimmed over his lips, he growled this time and seized her hand.
“That is torture, Amelia,” he said to her. “Ye touchin’ me like that…”
She suspected he swallowed hard as he paused, so she did the same. Amelia did not know what to say to him, but she suspected he was staring at her. Her skin seemed to flush, and she felt her insides tremble.
“If ye dinnae need me, I shall take my leave.”
“I need you,” she blurted before she could stop herself. She heard him shift, and she looked up at him. “I…” she stuttered. “Lily would have helped, but it is just you and me.”
“What do ye need?”
“My hair,” she said. “If you could please help.”
“I will.”
He took the soap from her hand and moved around until she felt his fingers on her scalp. Amelia could not hold back the light moan that escaped her lips. Her nerves seemed to relax too, and her lids fluttered shut of their own accord.
He poured water over her strands, massaged her scalp tenderly again, then repeated the task. She could only sigh and moan as he took care of her. Amelia’s entire body tightened with sensations she did not understand when he ran his fingers down her back and cleansed the skin there. Every second with his hands on her made her melt further.
Now, she wanted his hands all over her.
Duncan helped her out of the tub when she finished with her hair, and next thing, he wrapped a towel around her dripping strands, dried them, and did the same to her body.
Amelia squeezed her fingers into tight fists as he patted the towel over her body until she was dry then he helped her into her nightdress. They both stood rooted to the spot after that, and her heart rattled against her ribcage, threatening to burst out if she did not do something.
“Duncan…”
He silenced her with a kiss before she could say any words. It was a gentle brush of his lips over hers, and she moaned into his mouth when his tongue gently swooped in and parted her lips. His hand moved to the back of her neck, he steadied her, then continued exploring her mouth.
Amelia could only kiss him back. Her knees felt weak, and her body was hotter than ever. He was her first kiss and her first everything. No man had ever touched her like this before…
Duncan’s touch was special, and it had been from the day they had met. His hands were larger than hers considerably but also soft when he held her. He was gentle, his lips were soft, and his hands were swooping down her back to press her to him, but the low growl that erupted from deep in his throat wasn’t.
That growl made her feel hungry. She lifted a hand to his chest, and he tore his lips away from hers with speed.
“My Lady,” he breathed and stepped back so she could no longer touch him. “Ye should get to bed.”
He took her hand, led her to the bed, and pulled the covers over her once she lay down. Amelia waited till he lay down too, but he did not come close to her. He lay on the far end of the bed and did not touch her the entire night.
But he had kissed her first, hadn’t he?
* * *
“We have arrived,” Duncan whispered in her ear the next morning after a few more hours of traveling before the horse snorted and slowed its trot.
Amelia stayed quiet while he helped her dismount and led her forward. She did not know where they were. It was complete darkness to her, except for some shadows and lines, and even though she was used to it being that way, she was nervous.
This is new territory. What if the people here do not like me? What if I am not welcome here?
“Welcome home, My Laird,” she heard a steady yet gruff voice greet Duncan when they stopped walking. “The castle is prepared for yer arrival. Old Lady McLennan and Lady Yvaine have just returned from the main village. They are—”
The man did not finish his sentence before Amelia heard another light, fluffy voice shout, “Duncan!”
Amelia knew it was a lady, and she giggled as she drew near then Amelia could make out her flinging her arms around Duncan for a hug.
