Page 152 of The Highlander's Christmas Bride

She let out a sheepish laugh. “I think you’d better. And you can take off your shirt, if you like,” she added shyly as she moved to give him room.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m ready to take off my wrapper, too. I’m feeling quite warm.”

“It is rather toasty, now that the fire’s going.”

She innocently widened her eyes. “Is that what it is?”

He grinned, then pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it in the general direction of the chair.

Goodness.

After wriggling out of her wrapper, she paused to stare at him. His shoulders were massive, and his chest, covered in dark hair, was nothing short of magnificent. The brawny muscles tapered down to a flat stomach and narrow hips, exposed at the tops of his smalls.

As for what lay beneath those smalls, well, that simply made her mouth as dry as a desert.

He glanced down and winced. “It’s not as bad as it looks.”

She swallowed. “It looks quite big to me.”

“And if you keep looking at me like that, it’s going to get even bigger,” he replied in a gruff tone.

His absurd response made her laugh. “Then you’d best get in bed immediately.”

Logan slipped under the covers and settled her on his chest. Donella sighed and snuggled close, enjoying the tickle of crisp hair under her cheek. Everything about him was so intensely masculine and so different from anything she’d ever wanted from her life.

“All right, lass?”

“A bit anxious, perhaps.” Not simply because of him and what they would do together this night, but also because—

Don’t think about it.

He gently massaged her shoulder. “No need to rush. We can talk, if you like.”

“About what?”

“My family, for one thing. You’ve made them very happy, especially Joseph.” When he chuckled, his pleasure vibrated through her body. “I thought the wee lad would burst. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so excited.”

She briefly turned her face into his chest, smiling at the memory.

After the momentous discussion in the library this afternoon, Logan had whisked her from the house without giving her the chance to see anyone. Their drive had been intended to give her a chance to settle her nerves. In that respect, it had been something of a failure.

When they finally returned to Breadie Manor, their families had rushed out of the house, offering up congratulations and hugs. The men thumped Logan on the back and jested about stealing Donella away like a Highland brigand.

Joseph had initially hung back under the portico, obviously overcome by all the fuss. Only when Donella turned to him, too nervous to do anything but give him a hopeful smile, had he reacted. The lad had then raced across the drive and thrown his arms around her waist, hugging her fiercely. When Logan joined them, bending down to talk to his son, Joseph had flung his arms around his father’s neck and promptly burst into tears.

Donella had shed more than a few tears herself, as had Victoria and even Angus. Eden, however, had come to their rescue, herding them inside for a splendid Boxing Day luncheon. Glasses had been raised and toasts exchanged, each more extravagant and ridiculous than the next. Joseph had spent most of the meal on his father’s lap, alternately beaming at Donella and stuffing his face with cakes.

Seeing the boy so happy had been one of the best moments of her life.

She rested her chin on Logan’s chest so she could study his face. “And what about you, sir? Are you happy?”

“Very, although there’s one thing that would make me even happier.”

“Which is?”

“The chance to kiss you.”

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