Page 65 of Defy the Highlander

That was all that mattered.

“Ye let yer beard grow back,” Lilia said, reaching up to finger the bush that wasn’t particularly neat. “Have the rodents moved back in?”

He laughed softly when he remembered one of the first conversations they’d ever had about him shaving off his beard and destroying a home for vermin.

“If ye dunna like it, I’ll shave it off,” he said. “I havena given it much thought.”

She smiled because he was, stroking the exposed skin on his face. “Beard or no beard, it doesna change who ye are,” she said. “This is how ye looked when I first met ye.”

“I was a man in turmoil.”

“I know. Ye still are, only now for different reasons.”

He nodded, sighing heavily as he pulled her against him in a comforting embrace. He kissed the top of her head.

“I know,” he muttered. “Ye canna imagine how I just want tae run away right now and take ye with me. We can go someplace and be free, together.”

She had her hand on his chest, patting him gently. “We will be together and free, someday,” she said. “But not now. The time isna right. Ye’ve given yer oath tae The Cal and even if we wanted tae leave, there’s something tae be said for honor. Ye canna break yer oath.”

He sat back against the wall, drawing her with him. “Nay,” he said after a moment. “Sir Clegg and Cam have been good tae me. They’ve been more than fair. I wouldna betray them like that. But that doesna mean I canna dream of the day when all of this is behind us.”

Lilia didn’t answer for a moment, thinking of that day as well. “I heard ye tell Lady Currie that ye had a wife.”

“I do.”

“Not officially.”

“In my heart, mind, and body, it is official. I dunna need a priest tae make it so.”

“Nor I.”

“Do ye mean it?”

“Of course I do.”

“I’ve been waiting my whole life tae hear that, Lilia. But only from ye.”

It was a sweet thing to say, a tender moment that touched Lilia deeply. When his head dipped down, his lips brushing against hers, she responded readily. He had eased her, made her feel loved and wanted, and she realized that she was ready to give herself over to him completely because, come what may, she had already given her mind and her heart over to him.

Brody’s lips slanted over Lilia’s gently at first, reacquainting himself with her taste before growing bolder with his attention. His kisses became more forceful, his tongue licking her lips, and she opened her mouth in silent invitation.

There was no restraint this time, no hesitation in what they were doing. As Brody coaxed her awakening desire, he began to carefully remove her from her clothing. Lilia didn’t fight him. In fact, she helped him. She yanked at the ties that held her dress together. She was so caught up in the haze of passion that she hardly realized when he loosened the gown enough to slip it off her shoulders. She became aware only when she felt it slide off her buttocks and onto the dirt floor.

Brody pushed her back onto his tiny bed and removed his clothing in nearly the same motion. When he covered her with his body, the feel of his hot flesh against hers was more than either of them could bear. In fact, Brody could hardly hold himself in check. He’d never been more aroused in his life and the feel of her, the scent of her, was intoxicating. He suckled her neck and her earlobe, feeling her tremble beneath him as his hands moved down to her belly, stroking the soft flesh before moving to a soft breast and gently cupping it.

Lilia gasped with surprise at the sensual intrusion, but Brody kissed her passionately to distract her. It wasn’t long before Lilia settled down and enjoyed the attention as he kissed a blazing trail down her neck, onto her chest, and took a hard nipple into his mouth.

Lilia squirmed with delight, utterly at his mercy as he wedged himself between her legs, parting her thighs with his knees. She was overwhelmed, feeling every sensation roll through her as his kisses moved from one breast to the other, tasting and touching, while his fingers moved to the warm, moist folds between her legs.

Young and nubile, her body knew what it needed even if her mind did not. She was slick and ready for him. Brody finally brought up her knees and carefully entered her.

The first thrust brought a sting of pain, but Lilia didn’t utter a sound. Her eyes were closed and her back arched, and Brody thrust again, feeling her tight, wet body draw him in. Gently, he began to plunge into her to loosen her body to receive all of him.

It was a magical moment.

Beneath him, Lilia’s hands gripped his forearms as he braced himself. Brody had never felt such arousal as he did when she clutched him with her soft hands. He watched her as he made love to her, slightly elevated from her body so he could watch. Her full breasts jarred every time his body drove into hers and the sight of it drove him to a quick release as he spilled himself before he could control it.

But he wanted Lilia to feel what he had experienced, so he stroked her wet folds with his fingers as he continued to thrust into her, feeling her release mere seconds later. She had been so highly aroused that it hadn’t taken much effort. Her body convulsed and the sounds of her gentle gasping filled the cold, dark air.