Chapter 37
“I think you must be part fish.” I teased him at his suggestion that we have a bath brought up, clearly another set up for a water escapades of sorts.
“Part fish?” He wrapped his arms around my waist and nibbled playfully at my ear.
“Yes, water’s great, but let’s just get busy in the bed this time, not the water. I think my back is still bruised from those rocks.”
“Get busy, lass? ’Tis like learning another language, listening to ye speak.”
He worked at the laces of my dress, brushing my hair aside as he kissed the back of my neck.
“That’s exquisite.” I allowed my head to fall back against him, as my dress fell away.
He dropped his hands, drawing circles down my bare back with his thumbs. I tensed as he brushed over the tender spots about halfway down, and he immediately ceased the pressure. “Ach Mitsty, I am verra sorry, lass. ’Twas no me intention to cause ye harm.”
“I know. You didn’t cause me harm.” I laughed at his dramatics. “It’s just a couple of bruises.”
“What was it ye told me that day? A kiss would make it better, aye?”
“Mmm…something like that.” I arched against him as his lips trailed down my spine, his hands gripping my waist to keep him steady as he trailed downward.
He placed one light kiss on each small bruise then nipped quickly at the highest part of my bottom. I yelped and squirmed away from him, but he grabbed me quickly, scooping me up as he carried me to the bed.
“Fine, I doona care where I bed ye in this moment. Whether it be in the water, or the bed, or before a crowd of onlookers, I want to fall asleep deep inside me wife.”
“Eeek. I don’t think your mother or your brother would enjoy that sort of show, so let’s just keep it in the bedroom.” I laughed as he threw me onto the bed, diving on top of me as he kissed me roughly.
I moaned as he bit my lower lip, keeping it in between his teeth as he tugged it toward him. It was deliciously painful, and I feared I might shatter beneath him even before he touched me.
I needed him inside me, to cling to him as I lost myself for the first time as his wife.
I said nothing, but he understood what I needed as I moved against him, and seconds after I removed his kilt, he slipped himself inside me.
The first time moved quickly, our need for each other too raw to stretch out our release. No matter, much night remained and, as the evening passed, we took advantage of every instant of our first night of betrothal, making love to one another until dawn.
Chapter 38
The next morning, Baodan left our bed early, and the carefree haze that covered the night before evaporated in an instant. Today, the men marched toward Cameron Castle.
Now cold and anxious without him near me, I dressed and went in search of Bri. I knew she wouldn’t be able to confirm my suspicions, but I wanted to know if she’d exhibited similar symptoms while pregnant with Ellie.
I found her in the kitchen, kneading dough with Rhona, Blaire, and the Conall’s beloved kitchen maid and boss of everyone, Mary.
“Hey there. Aren’t you all glowing? Somebody didn’t get much sleep.”
Bri winked at me, and I blushed before stepping into the kitchen.
“’Tis just as it should be. No bride should sleep on her wedding night. Oh, how I wish I could go back to it, though I’m quite sure I doona remember how it all works.” Mary laughed and stepped away from her perfect kneading loaf, dipping her hands in a cool bucket of water to rinse them.
“Bri, can I talk to you for a moment?”
She smiled and stepped away to rinse as Mary had done. She grabbed my arm as she stood next to me, concern evident on her face. “Is everything alright?”
I nodded but said nothing as I unconsciously glanced down at my stomach. Bri’s eyes widened in understanding, and she bent to whisper to me. “Of course. Let’s go.”
As soon as I walked back into my bedchamber with Bri trailing me, I spun to face her. “I know it’s way too soon, but something just feels off. Different. How did you feel during the early stages of your pregnancy?”
Bri smiled and nodded, “Much the same. You won’t know for certain for a few weeks, but I could sense a change within me days after I became pregnant. You’ll have to wait and see, but I very much bet that you’re right.”
*
All men sat at the ready, awaiting Baodan’s command that they begin their journey to Cameron Castle. Eoghanan knew not how Niall would try to evade him, but his brother would do his best to outsmart them all.