Page 39 of Scandal with a Sinful Scot

He gathered her in his arms and kissed her. It turned desperate, eager, and wild. “Abbie, I confess I will not be able to take things slow. Not tonight. I need to be inside you now.”

She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, then licked one of his nipples, causing an agonizing moan to escape his lips. “Slow can come later. Take me, Garrett. This very minute.”

Clothes, hairpins, boots sailed through the air, not that she wore much, as she’d left off all her undergarments in anticipation of tonight. Once naked, they tumbled headlong onto the chaise, kissing, nipping, touching. As Garrett turned her slightly to lay kisses on her bare back, he froze. “Oh, Abbie.” The tips of his fingers followed the trail of criss-crossed scars spanning across her shoulder blades. In a low, dangerous voice, he said, “Who did this to you? Who would mar such perfection? Give me a name and I will see them suffer.”

“My father,” she replied softly. “When I told him of my condition.”

“Still living in Brighton is he? I’ll leave at once. He deserves to be horsewhipped,” Garrett barked.

Abbie laid a hand on his arm, strangely pleased he would leap to her defense. “It is yet another reason my parents and I are estranged. He took his riding crop to me, sliced my dress—and my back—to ribbons. My mother stood by and watched. I decided then and there that I would reveal nothing about who the father was, and I would have nothing further to do with my pious and heartless parents. I accepted Elwyn’s marriage proposal more to escape them than anything else.”

“God, Abbie. You’ve suffered this because of me and my selfish, reckless behavior. I will never forgive myself.” The anguish in his voice touched her heart. “No wonder you hated me. I deserve your censure. Your contempt.”

She cradled his cheek. “Please, do not allow this to ruin our time together. We spoke the truth when we agreed about having scars. These ones have healed. If it is any consolation, Elwyn also threatened to horsewhip my father when he discovered the scarring. It ended their friendship.” Abbie smiled sadly. “It is why I readily accepted Elwyn’s suggestion that we delay consummation of our marriage. I was ashamed.”

Garrett turned his head slightly to kiss her palm. “I respect and admire Elwyn the more you tell me of him. Damn your miserable father. And mother, for acting as willing accomplice.”

“We should leave this in the past, where it belongs. Please, continue what you were doing,” she encouraged, giving him a sensual smile.

Garrett gently and tenderly kissed her scars, causing moisture to collect on her lashes. He slid his lips to hers and kissed her deeply. Abbie returned it, the passion between them soaring. He halted and opened a small box on the table next to them. “When I journeyed to Sevenoaks the other day, I also paid a visit to the apothecary and purchased condoms. New from America. Made of rubber, if you can imagine.”

“How forward-thinking you are. I was going to suggest withdrawal, but this is a better solution.” She gave him a teasing wink. “Shall I assist you?”

Garrett rolled over flat on his back and handed her the envelope. “Sheath me, Abbie love.”

A curious contraption, but Abbie managed to roll it on. Garrett then clasped her hips and brought her on top of him. “Ride me, my wild vixen,” he teased. Then he sobered, his expression smoldering. “Do not make me wait, I beg you,” he rasped.

Abbie clasped him, rose above him, and positioned his shaft. She plunged down on top of him, which caused them both to cry out. Oh, how he filled and stretched her. She stayed perfectly still, savoring their joining, becoming used to a man being inside her again. Never believed it would ever be Garrett, except in her dreams.

“Sweet Christ. If I could only live all my days like this,” Garrett moaned. “Inside you forever.”

“Yes,” she whispered. Abbie understood exactly what he meant. It had been too long. Why had they denied themselves this bliss? No longer. Placing her hands flat on his chest, she started to move. Garrett clasped her hips, moving her back and forth as he captured her gaze. He looked splendid, his long, fire-in-the-hearth colored hair spread out on the pillow, his eyes burning with an intensity that took her breath away.

The sensations were building at a rapid pace; it would not take her long. She leaned forward to give her swollen nub more direct stimulation. Garrett clasped her breast with his left hand, his thumb rubbing the erect nipple. She moaned with the pure joy of his touch.

“Yes, love, come for me. Don’t close your eyes. I want you to look at me.” He raised his hips to meet her rocking motion and she gasped. As he commanded, Abbie met his gaze once again. Faster he pumped into her and she met his rapid pace. A sheen of perspiration already covered them both from their exertions.

Then it happened. A roll of stinging pleasure rocked her senses. A joyous explosion. Crying his name as if it were a prayer, her release caused her to freeze in place, her back arching with ecstasy.

“I’m close, keep moving,” Garrett growled.

The room still spun about her, but she threw herself into his rhythm, this time she bounced up and down on his stiff prick and his thrusts went deeper, became wilder. “Ah!” He sat upright from the force of his climax, his body shuddering all around her. He gathered her in his arms, nuzzling her neck, groaning with each tremble and shake. “I love you, mo chridhe. Love. You.”

“And I love you, my Scottish warrior.” Abbie could not stop the words from slipping out. Caution be damned, at least in this moment. He chuckled as she held him tighter. A teasing remark, yet it held truth. She wanted nothing more than for him to fight for their love. Protect it with his last breath. Claim her as if there were no other woman on earth for him.

Abbie exhaled. Oh, be my warrior, Garrett. Never hurt me again. Love me. But in the dark corner of her heart, doubt lingered. She couldn’t help it. Though the love was always there, hidden, sometimes forgotten, the trust would have to be earned anew on both their parts. Especially for her, for a nagging part of her still did not trust him fully, specifically where the curse was concerned. And that chilled Abbie to the bone.

Chapter 13

As he had revealed to Abbie the previous night, there were affairs through the years, brief sexual episodes with women of all shapes and ages. Nothing remotely serious; his emotions had not been engaged at all. The meaningless sex grew boring, and Garrett found he’d rather stay close to home than venture into London to The Crimson Club for a discreet erotic encounter.

Regardless, it had been close to a year and a half since he’d had actual sex. This could explain the passionate climax he’d experienced moments ago. In truth, Abbie had caused his explosive reaction. As he’d revealed when she first returned to his life, no woman could compare. He and Abbie had shared a rare, sensual bond from the first moment they touched.

Holding her close like this, skin against skin, all was right with the world. If only they could stay in the small, isolated sphere he’d built for them. They lay on the chaise, a sheet across their hips, a plate of cheese, fruit, and biscuits on their laps. Garrett lazily fed Abbie grapes, popping a couple in his mouth for good measure.

They couldn’t remain here; real life beckoned. Besides, Garrett couldn’t leave Patriot out in the elements all night. The stallion was a thoroughbred, used to warm comfortable barns and paddocks, not standing outside with bitter January winds whipping about his flanks. “As much as I would love to linger, we must head to our respective residences. Especially before your absence is noticed.” He caressed her cheek with the tip of his finger. “There is no reason we cannot return here tomorrow night.”

Abbie reached for a chocolate biscuit. “And every night thereafter? I must return to Standon at some point.”