She knew it would be an easy thing to let her heart follow her body into the pleasure of this new marriage. But her smile faltered as worry trickled in to disturb her happiness. If she allowed herself to fall in love, it might be impossible to leave him if ever it became necessary.
The next morning, with the light shining in his chamber, everything looked different. Brighter somehow. Full of hope and promise. Her body zinged with pleasure and a bit of soreness.
Cameron was still sleeping against her back, though he’d slipped out of her while they’d slept.
“Are you awake finally?” he asked, causing her to jump.
“I thought you were still sleeping.”
“Nay. I’ve been awake for an hour. Just lying here watching the sun change the color of your hair as it came up.”
“That sounds horribly boring. You shouldn’t have let me keep you.”
He laughed. “It wasn’t boring at all. And I’ve no place to be but here.”
Except that wasn’t really true. He normally would have gathered his men to practice their drills. So they would be ready if ever Lachlan gave approval for a takeover of the McCurdy clan.
While she’d understood his impatience, a larger part of her was glad her new brother-in-law resisted. Staying at Dunardry meant there was less risk of danger.
She turned to see him propped up on his elbow. He was still very naked, and she felt the heat on her cheeks when her gaze drifted low enough to see his manhood resting against his thigh.
He reached out to caress her cheek, and she only twitched the slightest bit. She knew he noticed, but didn’t say anything or remove his hand.
“I wonder if you’ll ever lose that maidenly blush,” he mused with a smile on his beautiful lips. Lips that had touched her body in so many places the night before.
Another wave of heat washed over her face. And below.
“Don’t fash. It suits you.”
When she looked up into his honey eyes, she saw curiosity. His lips opened to speak, but he said nothing. Clearly he wanted to say something but hesitated.
“You told me we should feel safe to tell each other anything. Did I misunderstand?” she asked when he looked away from her.
She didn’t want that distance from before to return.
He chuckled and shook his head. “No. You didn’t misunderstand. And I will talk to you about this. It’s just that I don’t want to ruin this moment.”
She had an idea what it was he wanted to discuss.
Sliding closer to him, she kissed his cheek. “Go ahead. He cannot hurt me anymore. I’ll not give him the power to ruin anything in my life ever again.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m beyond pleased to be the first to lie with you. It’s just I’m not sure how you remained a virgin. Men have urges, and I expected a violent man like the duke would see to them whether ye wanted him to or not.”
She glanced away in embarrassment.
“This is nothing you should feel shamed about. I’m glad you were spared that, at least. But I can’t understand why he’d never touch you. I wanted you in my bed the minute you climbed down from my shoulders.”
She smiled at her husband’s honesty. It was nice to be wanted, treasured.
“I think he wasn’t able to—” Her lips pressed together. She didn’t want to have to tell this kind man who had admitted he’d desired her that her last husband had been repulsed. But they were not keeping secrets from one another…
“He beat you because you didn’t provide him with an heir, but he never bedded you so you could give him one.” Cameron shook his head and let out a breath. “The bastard.”
“I thought it was me. I thought I wasn’t appealing. Or that I hadn’t done something right.”
“You’re the most appealing woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I want ye so bad I ache with the need to touch you. Believe me. It wasn’t you, Mari.”
She nodded. “Last night when you looked at me—even with my scars—and weren’t disgusted, I knew I must have been wrong about his reasons.”
“You were very wrong.” Cameron winked and traced a finger across her bare stomach. “You’re stunning.”
Her lips pulled up slightly so he would know his words pleased her. What woman didn’t want to feel attractive?
Leaning over, he kissed her, and she responded by melting against him. Her soft curves matched perfectly against his hard muscles. She gasped when his male hardness jabbed her in the side.
“As you can see, I don’t have any problems responding to you. It wasn’t you. Don’t think it for a minute.” He kissed along her jaw and down her neck.
Her soft moan of arousal spurred him to move lower. He bent so he could draw in one of her nipples.
“I had planned to be the courteous lover who gave you peace today, but I must beg ye to forgive my eagerness to call upon you again. I can’t seem to help myself.”
“I am just as eager to receive you.” She laughed at the way they made it sound like a visit.
When he pulled her under him, her laughter drifted off into a different form of bliss.
Chapter Eighteen
Mari rested her hand on Cam’s arm and allowed him to escort her down for a rather late morning meal. He noticed the slowness of her gait and frowned.
He’d hurt her despite his promise. Damn it!
When they’d finally left their bed, he aided in washing her body, and she helped him with his. Then he helped her dress for the day, putting an extra knot in her corset as a reminder he needed to let her recover from the enthusiasm of his ardor.
She nearly fell on the last step, and he supported her, turning her to face him.
“God, I’m sorry, Mari. I was too rough with you.”
“No.” She smiled. “It’s my ankle that still bothers me.”
He blinked, having forgotten about the earlier injury he’d caused. “I can’t ever seem to do right by ye.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I feel very right this morning.” She gave him a saucy wink that might have made him grab her up and carry her back to their room if not for knowing of that blasted knot in her strings.
“Shall I carry you to the table?” he offered. “I wouldn’t mind having a reason to press your body against mine. And not just because it would disguise my obvious discomfort.” He glanced down at the place where his kilt tented out and wondered if he’d ever grow tired of making love to her.