Page 129 of The Highlander Who Protected Me

He leaned down to flick a tongue between her lips, and before she could kiss him back, his mouth drifted down to her neck. He kissed his way lower, leisurely building her arousal. Ainsley closed her eyes and concentrated on the sensations sparking to life in her body. A spike of heat flared in her belly, and a delicious ache began to gather between her thighs.

She knew her body, and she knew what it was capable of—had once been capable of. To know she could still respond to a man’s touch—her husband’s touch—flooded her with unspoken gratitude.

Royal’s hand moved to her bodice. “These fripperies are almost too pretty to take off. So much ribbon and lace.”

His hand traced along the top of her stays, his calloused fingertips making her shiver. When one finger dipped down to touch her nipple, she bit her lip to hold back a groan.

He glanced up. “Do you like that?”

She nodded, too breathless and shy to reply.

“Splendid. You are, however, rather laced up.”

She grimaced. “Drat. They’re back-lacing stays. Silly of me to forget that.”

As wonderful as his attentions were, and as much as she wanted them, Ainsley wasn’t sure she was ready to strip off her gown and allow Royal to unlace her stays. But considering how far she’d gone, it seemed silly to develop such qualms now.

She tried to struggle up into a sitting position. “Here, let me—”

Royal gently pushed her back down. “No need. Just relax.”

“I’m trussed up like a Christmas goose. It won’t be easy to get to the good bits.”

“Never fear, I’ll get to all of them in good time. There’s no need to rush into anything.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “We’re practicing, remember?”

As usual, he knew what she was feeling without her having to say a word. “And what are you practicing at the moment?”

“How to undress my wife without embarrassing her.”

“I suppose it’s silly of me to be so shy about it.”

He kissed her eyebrow, then wandered down over her cheek, slowly making his way to her mouth. His tongue traced the seam of her lips, exerting a gentle, provocative pressure. Ainsley clung to him. Within moments, she was once more trembling in his arms.

“Still feeling shy?” he asked.

“Me, shy?” She sounded breathless. “You must be joking.”

“Good. Then let’s practice some more.”

He hooked two fingers into the top of her stays. They were laced quite snuggly, but with several firm tugs on the quilted fabric and some wriggling on her part, Royal was able to slip a hand inside her shift and ease her breasts up over the top of her undergarments. It took some doing, since her curves were generous, but her husband didn’t seem to mind.

Neither did she. His warm, caressing hands felt utterly delightful.

“There you are, my beauties,” he murmured when her breasts finally eased free. “You were certainly worth the wait.”

Ainsley couldn’t help but giggle.

He gave her a lazy smile. “Do I amuse you, Mrs. Kendrick?”

“You’re talking to my bosom, Mr. Kendrick.”

“I told you once that I wanted to build a monument to your breasts. Now that I’ve actually seen them, I’m going to begin construction immediately.”

“Perhaps notquiteimmediately.”

“Perhaps not,” he said with a deep chuckle.

He curled a hand around her breast, cupping it. “You’re so damn pretty, Ainsley. I can hardly believe I’m finally touching you.”

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