“I am a little nervous,” she confessed.
“Just tell me if there’s anything I do that makes you uncomfortable. All right?”
He looked so serious that she couldn’t help smiling. “That sounds perfect.”
“Good. Now are you ready to get out of that dress?”
She heaved a dramatic sigh. “Yes, although it’s so beautiful that I hate to take it off.”
“I can work around that,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “Although it might get wrinkled by the time I’m finished.”
“Goodness, that would be dreadful,” she said, pretending to be shocked.
When she reached behind to unfasten her buttons, he brushed her hands away and swiftly undid the buttons before whisking both her chemise and gown over her head.
He certainly wasn’t wasting any time.
When he looked like he was about to fling the garments over his shoulder, she scowled. “Don’t even dare.”
He snorted, then swiped up the stockings from the floor and casually tossed the bundle of clothing onto a chair.
“Happy, now?” he asked.
She had to stifle a smile. “Your courtesy is much appreciated, my lord.”
“What I appreciate is the way you look right now,” he said as his gaze roamed over her body.
She blushed, feeling awkward to be perched on the edge of the bed wearing nothing but her new stays. Unlike her usual undergarments, the front-lacing set was frivolous in the extreme. Embroidered with pink and red flowers, it was trimmed with red silk bows on the straps. Because it was cut so low and close to the body, it did a spectacular job of pushing up her breasts to form plump mounds. Although Victoria had initially been reluctant to wear them, the modiste had claimed the new ball gown wouldn’t fit properly without them.
“I’m glad you approve,” she joked, “because they were ridiculously expensive.”
“And worth every damn shilling. No, don’t take it off. Not yet, anyway.”
She dropped her hands from the laces.
When he tugged on the stays, her breasts popped out even more, exposing her flushed, tight nipples. “Now, that is what I call perfect,” he murmured.
He gently tugged on the sensitive points. Victoria whimpered and grabbed his biceps as sensation streaked through her. Between her legs, she felt a trickle of warmth.
“Does that feel good, darling?” He thumbed her nipples, then rubbed his palms across them, making them throb with a delicious ache. “Do you want more?”
She answered by grabbing his head and pulling him down for a frantic kiss. He huffed out a startled laugh but he obliged her, surging into her mouth with deep, hot glides. Victoria poured all her passion into the torrid kiss.
For so long she’d held back, trying to keep her emotions in check. But now her barriers had crumbled. Nicholas knew she had secrets and knew she had a troubled past. His trust was a strong, bracing wind that swept aside the dusty doubts that had resided in her soul.
For delicious minutes, he seduced her with his mouth while caressing her breasts, teasing her and making her squirm. He’d promised not to rush her, but at this point she was ready to leap out of her skin.
When he gently pinched one of her nipples, she pulled back with a fractured breath. “You are driving me mad.”
“That’s the point, sweetheart.”
He clamped his hands around her waist, tossing her back onto the fluffy pile of pillows at the head of the bed. This was probably the most important moment of her life, but she wanted to laugh out loud or jump to her feet and spin in silly, happy circles until she grew dizzy with joy.
Her desire to laugh faded when Nicholas unwrapped his kilt, exposing his formidable and very naked masculinity to her gaze. To say he was imposing was a massive understatement.
With the emphasis on massive.
Slowly, Victoria came up on her elbows to watch him, her heart banging against her ribs. He was huge and hard, an intimidating sight that should trigger a swoon in any innocent, proper young lady. She was feeling a little light-headed, but certainly not from fright. And she was obviously neither sufficiently innocent nor proper because a naked, aroused Nicholas was the most exciting thing she’d ever seen in her life.
As he moved to the edge of the bed, Victoria fell back against the pillows, her hair tumbling around her breasts and shoulders. His smile was both arrogant and seductive as he climbed up on the mattress.
Nicholas pushed her legs wide, kneeling between her thighs. When he slipped a hand between her thighs, dragging a finger across the tight bud hidden within her curls, she all but rocketed off the bed. In response, he clamped a hand on her hip, gently but ruthlessly holding her down while he massaged her aching sex. Victoria moaned, trying to arch up into his hand as fire poured through her veins. Tiny spasms began to ripple out from her core, and she closed her eyes, falling into the dark, velvety pleasure.
“Open your eyes, Victoria,” he ordered in a husky voice as his hand stilled.
She dragged open her eyelids. “Why did you stop?”
“Because I want you looking at me while I play with you.”
The words gave her a delicious jolt. When he slicked a finger over her bud, as if to reward her, she whimpered.
“That’s it, my darling,” he murmured. “Now, unlace your stays.”
With trembling fingers, she complied. It was a task she’d done thousands of times, but she was clumsy now that he was drowning her in pleasure. He spread her wide as he rubbed and played, even pushing his fingers into the slick entrance of her body. But every time her hands slowed on the laces or her eyes started to close, he paused.
“Now you’re just being mean,” she protested when he brought her right to the edge and then stopped once more.
His only answer was a deep laugh replete with male self-satisfaction.
When she scowled at him, he deftly finished unlacing her, uncovering her completely. She lay before him, restless and wanton. Her breasts were flushed and hard-tipped, aching so much she was tempted to stroke them herself. Firelight burnished her nude body, and the fluffy triangle at the top of her thighs was glistening with her arousal. She could have been a pagan offering laid out for him to devour.
And, at the moment, with his muscled body and his erection long and broad-headed, he looked rather primitive too. Victoria felt weak with longing, trembling for his touch.
“This is how I want you,” he said. “With nothing between us.”
There were still secrets between them, but right now they didn’t matter much at all.
“Please don’t stop,” she whispered.
He loomed over her, taking her mouth in a kiss full of power and possession. She wound her arms around his neck as she sucked his tongue into her mouth. Wriggling down, she pressed her sex against his hard thigh, gasping as sensation arced through her in a delicious pulse that went straight to her womb.
Nicholas groaned. “God, lass, I need to taste you.”
Then he was nibbling and kissing his way down her body. She writhed beneath him as he lingered over her breasts, drawing strongly on her nipples. When she cried out, he moved lower, shifting down to lie between her spread thighs.
When he clamped his hands under her bottom and lifted her to his mouth, Victoria stiffened. Before she could register an objection, he began kissing the most intimate part of her body. Stunned, she went up on her elbows to stare at him.
Nicholas glanced up. His expression was hard but his gaze was diamond-bright. “What?”
She had to clear her throat before she could answer. “You cannot possibly be enjoying that.”
When he slowly and deliberately licked his lips, her jaw dropped.
“I beg to differ, my love. You taste delicious.” His avaricious expression seemed to indicate he was telling the truth.
“Well, then, carry on,” she said inanely.
He laughed before planting a hand on her chest and gently pressing her down to the mattress. Then he returned to
his task, lavishing pleasure on her with his mouth and tongue. He held her relentlessly wide as she bucked against the sensations that stormed through her.
When he flicked his tongue over her tight bud then sucked her into his mouth, Victoria cried out. Her back arched off the mattress as she clutched the coverlet in a desperate grip.
After a few moments, she opened her dazed eyes to find Nicholas sitting back on his heels, watching her. His gaze shimmered with unappeased lust.
“Are you ready for me, lass?” he asked in a guttural tone.
All she could do was nod.
He reached down and slipped his hands under her shoulders. Lifting her with easy strength, he positioned her so that she was straddling his thighs.
When he went to guide himself into her, she brushed his hands away. “Let me,” she said.
His gaze flared, and he gave her a tight nod.
Cautiously, Victoria wrapped a hand around his erection. She swallowed, both nervous and excited at the prospect of its intrusion into her body. When she clumsily stroked it, Nicholas hissed out a breath.
“Aye, that’s it, lass,” he growled. He began to massage her bottom. “Now rub yourself against me.”
Tentatively, she shifted closer. When she rubbed the broad head of his erection against her sex, she quietly moaned as sensation again sparked to life in her body.
“You feel amazing, Victoria,” he said through clenched teeth. “Yes, keep doing that.”
She leaned against him, her eyes drifting closed. Nicholas groaned and began kneading her bottom with hard, erotic pressure.
When he suddenly brushed her hands aside and shifted to press into her, Victoria was more than ready. Still, she gasped as the broad head forged past her tight entrance.
“Hold on, love,” he gritted out.
When he flexed his hips, she felt a sharp pinch and a brief, lancing pain. Then he was fully inside her, so deep she could barely catch her breath.
Her eyes popped open. “Good heavens.”
Nicholas tipped up her chin and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Sorry,” he said in a rueful tone. “That’s the worst of it, I promise.”
She nodded, clinging to his arms. He rubbed her back in soothing circles as he gently rocked her against him.
Soon the pain began to fade, replaced by a pleasurable sense of fullness. It seemed almost impossible to fathom that he was actually inside of her.
And it was beginning to feel rather amazing, too.
“All right?” he murmured in her ear.
She kissed his shoulder. “Better than all right.”
His lips parted in a seductive smile. “Excellent. Now, how about this?”
When he flexed his hips, she moaned. “That’s . . . that’s very nice too.”
When he did it again, she clung to his shoulders. The angle of his body, his slow, controlled rhythm, rubbed her both inside and out. She pressed close, relishing the feel of his muscled chest against her aroused nipples, as his strong thighs spread her wide.
With soft, erotic words, he tutored her movements, guiding her up and down his thick length. Victoria let her eyes drift shut and her head drop back, her hair falling like a curtain down her back.
But then he increased the pace, and soon they were moving in a sharp, almost frantic rhythm as passion built between them. Nicholas tipped her chin up, pressing a hot, openmouthed kiss to her lips. And when he clamped a possessive hand on her breast, rubbing her sensitized nipple, Victoria felt herself teetering on the verge of climax.
Suddenly, he reached down and stroked a finger over her aroused bud. Victoria wrenched her mouth from his and cried out. Shudders wracked her body as her inner muscles clenched around his length. Luxurious spasms rippled out from her womb as he surged into her, high and hard. He cursed, then ground into her again, holding her hips tight against him.
Nicholas shook with his release, so deeply inside her that she felt like he’d touched her heart.
When he stopped shaking, he curled his big body protectively around hers. Victoria turned her cheek into his neck, squeezing her eyes shut to hold back tears. His pulse beat hard and steady under her ear as his hands stroked in a soothing rhythm along her spine.
Then he carefully lifted her up. She winced a little as he withdrew, muscles both inside and out and smarting from their passionate encounter. With a soothing murmur, he laid her down on the bed and tucked her close, her cheek to his chest, sheltering her within his brawny embrace.
Victoria drowsed for a bit, feeling entirely warm and contented.
“One last question before you fall asleep, lass,” he murmured after a few minutes.
Since they were nose to nose and she was so tired, it was a struggle to focus on his face. He looked very serious.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Victoria Knight, will you marry me?”
She managed a sleepy smile. “Yes, my lord. I’ll marry you.”
Snuggling closer, she let herself drift into a sublime oblivion.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“How lovely to have a quiet family dinner before you return to Kinglas,” Edie said, giving Nick a warm smile. “Thank you for inviting us tonight.”
Nick lifted his glass to her. “And since we are shortly to become family, please call me Nicholas—or Nick.”
“Family,” Edie said. “That sounds lovely, doesn’t it?”
He glanced at Victoria, who was halfway down the table between Kade and Braden. Since she wasn’t yet his wife, she had yet to take her proper place opposite him. To his credit, Angus, who sat there now, had tried to persuade her to sit in that place of honor, but she’d blushingly refused.
Soon, though, she’d be mistress of both Kendrick House and Kinglas, and Nick could hardly wait. Underneath that neat, sensible exterior lurked a very sensual woman. Victoria had thrown herself into lovemaking with an enthusiasm that surprised even him.
In fact, she’d all but made the eyeballs roll back in his head. Although inexperienced in bed, she was a mature, intelligent woman. His lass had responded with a passion suggesting she would always be his equal, both inside and outside the bedroom.
She also possessed a quiet beauty that set his heart on fire.
“‘Lovely’ is the word for it,” he said.
Victoria glanced up and met his gaze, then gave a tiny shake of the head as if reprimanding him for staring. But when she turned back to Kade, a happy smile edged the corners of her mouth.
“You’re a lucky man,” Edie said. “Victoria is a truly wonderful person. Both Alec and I adore her, as you can imagine.”
“I am well aware of my good fortune.” Since they were eating informally, he reached for the wine bottle to replenish her glass. “I sense a warning in your tone, however.”
She laughed. “A wee friendly one. Alec feels very protective of her, as you know. He would protect any person in need, of course, but Victoria is now one of our own.”
“I understand. But Victoria is also—or will shortly be—a Kendrick, and one of our own. Every one of my brothers would give his life for her.”
Including Logan.
He mentally frowned at that jarring thought before turning his attention back to Edie.
“I’m happy to hear it, because if you ever injured Victoria in any way, our family—including me—would tear you limb from limb, Nicholas. Literally,” she finished.
He almost laughed at the contrast between her cheery delivery and the bloodthirsty vow. “That would hardly be the action of a loving family member.”
“You haven’t spent much time with my extended family—although yours is quite lively too. My servants are still repairing the mess your brother made at my Hogmanay party.”
Nick winced. Grant had overindulged a wee bit on New Year’s Eve, and Edie’s morning room had taken the brunt of the damage.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “And you can be sure the lad is paying for the damages.”
“He’s already paid Ale
c five guineas and promised to perform any errands or tasks my husband thinks appropriate.”
Alec, who’d been talking to Royal, switched his attention to their conversation. “Please don’t remind me about that blasted party. The memory still gives me nightmares.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Edie scoffed. “Nothing gives you nightmares.”
“The resulting bills did.”
“I understand entirely,” Nick said dryly.
Alec laughed. “Actually, old man, it wasn’t that bad. And Grant has been a great help to me these last few days. I’ve been shorthanded at the Glasgow manor house since my old steward retired a few weeks ago. Your brother has been quite helpful in lending a hand with some estate business.”
“Er, I’m happy to hear that.” Nick glanced at his brother, deep in conversation with Angus. Both twins had seemed more mature of late, perhaps finally growing up.
“Your brothers are all fine men,” Edie said. “They simply needed a little guidance.”
“Beyond my own,” Nick said ruefully.
“Victoria has made tremendous strides with you lot, I must say.” Alec forked up a piece of beef and thoughtfully chewed it. “Best make sure you take care of her, Arnprior,” he added after he swallowed.
“Not to worry, Gilbride. Your wife has already leveled the appropriate threats.”
“That’s my girl,” Alec said, holding his glass up for a refill.
“You outdid yourself with that ring, Nicholas,” Edie said. “I’m pea green with envy.”
Alec heaved a sigh. “Sweetheart, if you wanted a pearl ring, all you had to do was ask.”
Edie’s eyebrows arched up over the gold frames of her spectacles. “The point is to surprise me with something that shows how much you adore me, you silly man. Haven’t you learned that yet?”
“Better come up with something good, old fellow,” Nick said. “Or else.”
“Edie won’t have long at all to wait before I come up with something very good.” Alec gave his wife a comic leer.
She tried to look stern. “Good God. Behave yourself, Alasdair Gilbride.”
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