Page 12 of Marin’s Promise

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Bran forced himself to remain by the fire as Marin entered. The woman looked like an angel with her blonde hair swept becomingly over one shoulder. She'd put on a new gown, this one cut lower over her chest, revealing the rounded tops of her breasts. His heart pounded in a hard, steady rhythm of lust.

“Close the door and approach,” he ordered.

The lass did as he bid, gently closing the door behind her and sauntering toward him. Her hips swayed back and forth enticingly. He wanted to skim his hands over them and up her narrow waist. His cock was already beginning to thicken at the very thought. She stopped in front of him and looked up, taking him in.

He'd bathed. For her. The bath had arrived without his orders, the suggested request apparent. He’d resented it, knowing he wasn’t clean enough for the likes of her, that he wasn’t good enough. But he’d done it, and now it was time for his prize.

His dark hair still dripped at the ends and soaked through his shirt. The heat of the fire had dried his skin and kept the chill of the night at bay. Of course, with this beauty in his bed, he would not feel any bit of the cold.

He touched her cheek. God's bones, her skin was impossibly smooth. He swept his thumb over her full bottom lip. Her breath whispered over the back of his hand. Every part of his body seemed to be on a level of heightened awareness and soaring sensitivity. He regretted having not rubbed away his longing earlier, to ensure he did not lose himself too quickly with her.

He lowered his face and brushed his mouth against hers. Aye, she was sweet. He gently swept his tongue inside the heat of her mouth. A little moan sounded in the back of her throat.

Aye, she’d never been kissed like this before.

He stroked his tongue against hers and reveled in the chords of pleasure humming through him, building the fire rising within him. She was bold with the spice of wine on her lips and the kisses she offered him in return, more curious than confident. He slid his hand from her waist, up higher to cup the swell of her breast, and she stiffened.

He paused. Perhaps she was not as experienced as she had implied.

He hesitated, but she leaned toward him, her mouth seeking his with the kind of carnal appetite he enjoyed. His hands found her waist and he ran his palms over the curve of her hips down to the pleasant firmness of her bottom. She arched against his touch like a cat being pet.

He pulled her against him and fit their pelvises against one another where his powerful erection raged at full force. She gave a jolt of surprise.

He pulled away. The open-mouthed expression on her face was not one of uncertain delight, it was one of shock and inexperience. Damn it.

He adjusted the rock-solid shaft of his cock, so it fit more comfortably within his trews. “Where's yer husband?”

“I don't have a husband,” she said resolutely.

“Are ye betrothed?”

“Does it matter?”

He smirked. In truth, it didn't.

“Are ye a maiden?” he asked.

“Nay.” She shifted her gaze to the left and pressed her tongue between her full lips. Honeyed lips he'd been kissing only a moment ago.

Encouraged, he stepped closer once more, and traced a finger over her delicate earlobe, down the length of her slender neck. He pulled his fingers back from her momentarily. “Have ye been ill-treated, Marin?” he asked.

She shook her head, but the tension in her body did not dissipate. There was something she was not telling him.

“Do ye want to be here, lass?”

She caught his hand and brought his fingertips to her low neckline. Using his hand for him, she drew his touch over the tops of her breasts. Her nipples hardened merely an inch under his fingers, the tight buds apparent beneath the fabric of her dress.

She pulled in a breath. “I want to be here.” Her eyes met his with starlight dancing in them. “With you.”

He circled the pad of his thumb lower, to graze over one taut nipple. She gave a shaky inhale, and her lashes swept briefly closed.

“I'll be different than what ye've had before, I vow,” he said in a low, sensual tone. “I want to take my time with ye, love ye all through the night. I want to ensure ye’re fully ready for me. Do ye know what that means?”

Her breath quickened and her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink.

He circled her nipple as he spoke and watched the pleasure play over Marin’s bonny face. “It means ye go slick between yer legs.” His fingernail drew over the bud and her eyelashes fluttered. “Are ye wet for me, Marin?” he whispered.