To Wed A Highlander (18 page)

Makenna playfully toyed with the loose strings at the opening of his shirt. “I am sure that you have been correct about a great many things, but I am hard pressed to think of the one you are referring to,” she replied coyly.

“How about you missing me?”

Makenna could hear the pride in his voice, and it quelled her need to deny him the truth. Instead, she laid her head on his chest and hugged him. It wasn’t a verbal affirmation, but she could feel Colin nod his head in satisfaction.

“I cannot tell you how glad I am to be home.” His voice was deep, husky, caressing.

Makenna expected him to tease her further, but his admission completely disarmed her. Her throat constricted. It was followed by a familiar and comfortable sense of physical awareness rippling through her. She lifted her head and gazed into his eyes. There was no mistaking their intense look. Every nerve ending in her body responded to his unspoken message of need sparkling in those cobalt depths. And then Colin kissed her, his touch so tender she could barely find her breath.

Colin felt Makenna shiver in his arms, and deepened the embrace. Their lips moved hungrily against each other. He tried to slow down, but she wouldn’t let him. Tongues teased, tasted, tantalized.

When it finally ended, he was burning with a near-uncontrollable need to bury himself in her. Lord, how she affected him.

No, he silently vowed. First, he would discover what or who had been troubling his wife while he was away. They had the whole night to satisfy his needs.

Colin kissed her forehead and whispered, “Never have I been better welcomed home, and before you tell me what was bothering you before I interrupted, let me get more comfortable.”

Makenna watched, slightly stunned as Colin walked across the room. He undid his belt, throwing both it and his sword on the chest. She had half hoped, half expected him to throw her on the bed and remind her once again of the pleasures of being married. Maybe his feelings for her had changed.

Feeling foolish, Makenna tried to halt her own desires of the flesh. If he could so easily dismiss their kiss, then so could she. But the second he turned around and came back to her side, she knew it would not be possible. His legs were now bare and the only piece of clothing he wore was a cream-colored leine partially opened, exposing his broad chest. The light cloth could not hide the strength of his muscles. She needed to fill the awkward silence before she threw herself at him begging him to take her.

“Rumors came a few days after you left that the attack was no ordinary raid. Descriptions of horrors trickled in for days. When Sean returned with your message, I realized it had been much worse than what we heard. Sean would only say our people had survived, but the animals…how are you faring after witnessing such cruelty?”

Colin blinked. “Sean spoke out of turn. He should not have told you such things.” The idea of his wife exposed to such hatred was not acceptable.

Makenna saw his neck muscles tense. “It was not Sean’s fault. As I said, there were rumors. It was actually kinder knowing the truth. I won’t ask you particulars, but were you…were you able to do what you needed?”

The question startled Colin. He knew what Makenna meant. Had he found the culprits and exacted revenge? But the concept of someone concerned and interested about his trip was unexpected. Previously, whenever he had returned from being away, it had been to a litany of mishaps and lectures of how he should never have left Lochlen. Never once had Deirdre asked about his trips. Colin almost gave in to the urge to tell Makenna all that had happened, his suspicions, and his plans with Donovan.

Instead, he refrained. Makenna was strong, but the burden he carried was one of
his
making, and he would not ask her to share it. “Aye, I was able to do what must be done…for now.”

“Then you will have to return.”

“Aye, possibly, but I cannot say when at this time.”

Makenna nodded. “I understand.”

Her voice was low and sad. Wanting to comfort her, he scooped Makenna in his arms and settled down in the middle chair. Makenna curled up in his lap and laid her cheek against his chest.

Her sigh reminded him of her previous strained expression. “Makenna, when I entered you looked as if you were working through a problem. What happened while I was away?” He forced his voice to be light and casual while he waged war with his instincts to demand the name and action of whoever upset her.

Colin heard her quick intake of breath. “Nothing really. Just little things. I’m Lady of Lochlen now. I’m a wife, and it’s all still new to me.” She forced a smile and added, “I just hate not knowing how or what to do. I have much to learn, and I am impatient.”

Her answer had the ring of truth, but Colin suspected something more serious was behind her earlier murmurs and looks. Seeing the state of the town walls, he reasoned many still were unhappy at her for marrying him, an outsider…a Highlander. The division between the clan was growing, not shrinking, and Makenna had been alone to deal with the aftermath of their marriage. If he pressed any further, Makenna would withdraw. Patience was the quickest path to gain her trust and learn the full truth.

He shifted her so that he could hold her more comfortably while stretching his legs toward the fire. It was such a simple thing, to hold one’s wife. Simple, but pleasing in a way he had never dreamed possible. “I saw Gannon on my way to you. He affirmed what I saw. Lochlen could not have been in better hands.”

The sincerity of his voice completely disarmed Makenna. How she had needed to hear those words. Tears formed and began to spill. She struggled to stop them, but the more she tried, the faster they fell.

Colin held Makenna as her sobs grew to where they shook her body. Concern flooded him. So much had taken place in the past six weeks, and Makenna had internalized it all. Their marriage, her father, the raids, his absence…she needed to release what she had been keeping buried.

After a while, Makenna calmed but did not move from his lap. The sleeve of her chemise was gathered near her shoulder, and Colin began to stroke the exposed skin. It was like caressing the finest silk. Every few inches his fingertips encountered another small scar. Lightly he touched each one wondering how her skin could be so soft and perfect, yet be riddled with so many old wounds. Her body was covered with them—her sides, her legs, and a large one across her knee that must have been very painful. What crazy foolish hobby did she have as a child—climbing trees? Did she have a bad fall on the stairs? Someday he would ask, but not now. Tonight was about the present and the future, not the past.

Makenna felt like a terrible weight had been partially lifted. It was still there, but it seemed manageable again. Not one for crying, she had never realized how therapeutic it could be. She snuggled closer and felt the proof of Colin’s physical need.

A surge of deep, feminine desire reawakened. She slowly uncurled her legs, enjoying the feel of his arousal. She didn’t resist as Colin’s hand moved across her stomach to the curve of her hip and pulled her even closer.

A surge of euphoria hit Colin. Makenna was making it very clear that she wanted him to change the type of comfort he was providing. He was more than willing to oblige.

She tipped her head back and let her hair tumble over her shoulders. He leaned down and trailed soft kisses along her exposed nape until he reached her earlobe. Suckling the soft flesh, he felt her tremble. Before moving to her mouth, he searched her face, noticing how pretty her eyes looked. They were like two sparkling peridots, green and wide. Her strong features no longer struck him as bold, but beautiful. Never was there a woman more physically desirable. He wondered if she understood her feminine power over him.

“I thought I’d never get home,” he muttered as he covered her mouth with his own. A renewed sense of urgency filled him. He needed to reclaim Makenna as his wife in every way.

Colin’s tongue plunged into her mouth, making his intent unmistakable. She inhaled his musky scent and slipped her hands around his neck.

He eased the kiss and felt her smile across his lips. In response, he captured her lower lip between his teeth. He tugged and heard her laugh in delight. Colin heard himself groan. She was both torment and salvation.

He would not be alone in this agony and slowly began to make love to her with his tongue. He delved again into the sweetness of her mouth. She tasted of life, vibrant and exciting and so very good.

Makenna couldn’t help but respond to the powerful, passionate kiss. As his caress increased in intensity, her laughter morphed into a soft continuous moan. Her fingers plunged into his hair, pulling him even closer. She needed more and tried to advance the unhurried, torturous embrace into one of wild passion.

Colin’s pulse pounded in his ears. After weeks of deprivation, needing her, dreaming of this moment, he found it near impossible to go slow—especially with her encouraging him to do otherwise. He grabbed Makenna’s face between his palms. Colin knew he was in jeopardy of losing the last of his control. Her aggression was incredibly arousing. He had half a mind to raise her chemise and settle her on top of him in the chair. Just the idea of her riding him made him so hot he started trembling.

Makenna stroked his shoulders down to the base of his spine, and Colin caved to his primitive cravings. Emitting a low growl, he slanted his mouth over Makenna’s again and again, his tongue giving and taking with wild, ravenous need. He couldn’t get enough of her. If he didn’t move now, their first coupling upon his return would be in a chair.

Makenna was barely aware of being lifted and carried across the room.

Colin laid her down on the soft mattress and settled himself between her legs. How he had ever thought Makenna to be unyielding and tough he never knew. She was fiery and passionate, but feminine as well. Tendrils of auburn-colored hair floated across her cheeks. Colin brushed them aside and kissed the faint freckles on her nose.

“You are so lovely,” he declared, his voice strained.

Makenna frowned remembering the conversation she had overheard just a few weeks ago. Nothing had changed. She was still too muscular for her slender frame. The sun had forever darkened and speckled her skin most unbecomingly. Her hair remained wild and untamed, and her body was unnaturally flawed with scars. “Not I. I’m riddled with faults,” she countered defiantly.

He brushed a soft kiss on her cheek and then moved to her temple. “I see not a one,” he whispered.

“Then you are blind,” Makenna said, struggling to free herself of the large man. She could endure most anything. Anything but dishonesty framed in kindness.

Colin cupped the sides of her face and trapped her squirming body, holding her still. “I admit I once was blind where you were concerned, but I thank God I no longer am. If I had not married you, Makenna, I would never have known…” His voice became choked at the end.

Makenna opened her mouth to ask what he now knew, but his lips settled on hers with a kiss that dismissed further conversation. All he had to do was touch her, and she could no longer think about anything except him and what he was causing her to feel.

Passion and need radiated from him. A soft whimper came from deep in her throat as he thrust his tongue back into her warm, welcoming mouth.

Her struggles ceased. Instead, she became wild, clutching his back, kissing him feverishly.

Her mouth was hot, open, and so very responsive. His control over his body was nearing his threshold, but before he could no longer restrain his desire, he wanted her crying with need along with him.

Makenna’s heart quickened as Colin released her lips and removed the last remaining bits of clothing between them. Colin was watching her. His expression was unguarded, warm, and tender. She reached up to pull him down to her.

He shook his head and edged down her body to begin a new assault. Colin lowered his head until he was just a scant breath away from one perfect pink bud. Makenna arched her back, yearning for his touch. He smiled and then lowered his mouth to roam the valley between her breasts.

His fingers found one bosom and then the other. His thumbs brushed across her nipples, hardening them into taut nubs. His heart pounded as his lips moved to where his hands had been. He feasted on her, using his tongue to taste the sweet mound she so willingly offered.

With each flick of his tongue over the sensitive flesh, Makenna felt a surge of exquisite passion ripple through her. Her body was on fire, and the blaze only grew as he began to suckle. The added stimulus was almost too much, and Makenna squirmed beneath his heavy frame. She wanted him to both stop and continue the sensual torture.

Hearing her whimpers, Colin moved to let her feel the hardened hunger in him. His heart was pounding and he was going out of his mind with the twisting sensation building inside him.

Everything about his touch was erotic. With each movement, his pelvis rubbed against the junction of her legs. Between his mouth and his hardness, nestled so intimately against her, her senses were swirling out of control.

She parted her thighs to him, urging him to touch her where the throbbing for him was almost painful with unfulfilled need. “Please, Colin, please,” she begged.

“Please what?” he asked, barely able to utter the teasing question.

“Touch me, like you did before. Please, I don’t think I can bear any more,” she cried, her body writhing as he began to stroke her inner thigh, coming close but never entering the hot, damp core of her.

“Oh, I will, Makenna. I will drive you as wild and crazed with need as I,” he finished, burying his face against her throat with a soft groan of desire. At the same time, his hand closed possessively over her soft mound. He slid one finger between the warm folds and penetrated her liquid heat.

Makenna fought for breath. Her heart was racing; her body was ablaze. She dug her nails into Colin’s back. Rhythmically, she flexed and arched her hips against his palm, urging him to stroke her and give her what she so desperately needed.

Colin moved in her most intimate of places, glorying in her passion. He was seconds away from diving in and seeking the comfort he sought, but was determined to drive her to the insane place of need he had been living in for the past two weeks. He introduced another finger and began slowly separating them, stretching her, preparing her for what was to come.