To Wed A Highlander Read online

  Not knowing what to say to counter such a display of disrespect, Makenna walked over and lightly touched Colin’s forearm, marveling at the strength and tension held within the sinewy muscles.

  At her touch, Colin flinched, but when Makenna tried to remove her hand, he instinctively reached out and kept it in place. If asked, he would not be able to explain why he wanted to prolong the gentle sensation. He had reacted without thought. Her unexpected gesture was soft, warm, and so very giving. For the second time that day, he felt as if she understood and believed in him.

  Makenna stood by his side for a long while and stared at the flickering flames, mystified at her desire to remain with Colin. But it was time to leave. Their ruse should now be complete. Everyone who witnessed their notable exit would trust they had consummated their marriage by now. Makenna released her light hold and headed toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Colin asked, his voice low and curious.

  Makenna stopped and turned toward him. “I think it is safe to leave for my room now. I don’t hear any movement outside. Don’t worry, if anyone can roam about this castle unseen, it is I.”

  “Of that, I know all too well,” Colin scoffed.

  “Don’t sound so churlish. Tonight my skills are going to benefit your deception. No one will be the wiser we spent the night alone.”

  “My benefit?” he asked, turning to look at her.

  Makenna nodded. “Aye, yours, and mine, too, if you want to be particular. What does it matter?”

  In three quick strides, Colin blocked her path, physically challenging any method she might try in order to exit. “Makenna, do not pretend with me that you do not recall what I said to you last night.”

  Makenna did remember. He had vowed their marriage would be real and not in name only. But never did she dream Colin would make good on his promise so soon. Certainly not tonight. Why, just yesterday they had each vehemently sworn the other to be the last person in the world they would want to spend time with, let alone marry.

  But then he had kissed her.

  It was amazing how a single embrace could change one’s view so dramatically, but it had. Not only had it proved they were compatible physically, but that each held an innate understanding of the other’s most private needs and fears. Still, Makenna could not accept that Colin intended to make good on his promise this very evening.

  “But…but this is our wedding night!” she squeaked, not realizing how ridiculous the words sounded.

  “Aye, and I have been thinking about you all day,” Colin replied.

  “About me?” Her voice was barely a whisper and laced with doubt.

  He pushed back a lock of red hair that had become loose from its comb. “Aye, you. Every man in the hall was thinking of you…and they were wishing they were me.”

  Makenna blinked. Colin made her sound as if she were some siren able to induce men into desiring her. The concept was unreal. “Colin, be serious….”

  “Oh, but I am, Makenna.” Her name was a soft growl as he bent his head to capture her lips with his own. He kissed her slowly, lingeringly, and with a deep, tender possessiveness.

  Makenna shivered as a mysterious liquid warmth began to grow inside her. All doubts about whether she had imagined the intensity and pleasure of his touch were erased. For this, she had changed the fate of her life.

  Makenna felt Colin strain against an unknown force as he moaned softly and drew her closer to him. The kiss differed from their last, but was no less powerful. Instead of hard and demanding, it was gentle and persuasive. She could feel his tongue move across her bottom lip, teasing it open. She complied, welcoming him.

  It was a dream come true. To be touched and kissed and made to feel so very feminine. She didn’t think feelings and cravings like the ones coursing through her veins were even possible until Colin had proved otherwise. He had shown her that she was capable of feeling desire, physical need, and passion. That she was not devoid of such emotions, but burning with them when he held her in his arms.

  Colin parted her lips and tenderly explored her mouth with his tongue. Her body was in chaos. Makenna fought the instinct to wrap her arms round his neck and return the intimate caress. She almost lost the battle.

  Almost.

  With Colin, she was experiencing every dream she had ever wanted from a man. All except one. To be truly desired. No matter how good Colin made her feel now, it would not match the pain of discovering that she was just a surrogate, a live manifestation of what he once had. At the altar, she had thought passion would be enough. And it might be, if he needed her and not a substitute for Deirdre.

  The second his lips touched hers, Colin knew Makenna wanted him. Her response was too pure, too genuine. Full of longing and innocence, it was more intoxicating than the strongest of ales. If she knew the intensity of his desire to touch and intimately know every inch of her body, she would be terrified. He forced himself to slow down and keep the kiss gentle, exploring the softness of her lips.

  He inhaled her sweet scent of wildflowers. Never would he be able to ride through the fields again without thinking of her. He moved to deepen the kiss and immediately sensed a change. Makenna did not pull away, but a tautness filled her that wasn’t there before.

  Instantly Colin withdrew. Deirdre had never responded to his kisses the way Makenna had last night. Deirdre had pretended to enjoy them, but deep down he had always known it was toleration—not pleasure—she endured in his arms. Had he needed it to be different with Makenna so badly that he imagined her response?

  Colin cupped Makenna’s face and peered into green eyes swirling with doubt and emotion. His fears were immediately assuaged. Despite all their arguments and clashes over her unusual inclinations, he understood her and why she retreated. She was afraid—not of what he might do—but what he thought her to be. She feared being compared.

  Colin closed his eyes but didn’t let her go. His new bride had no way of knowing that whenever he touched her, spoke with her, kissed her, the last thing he thought of was his dead wife. It would be impossible to mistake the wild passionate creature in his arms for Deirdre.

  Makenna watched him close his eyes and hoped in silence that he would release her and let her leave, but seconds later his deep blue eyes reopened and looked at her. He was not remembering his past. Colin was completely in the present, and his sole thoughts were about her. His gaze conveyed such glittering need Makenna felt herself tremble just before he leaned down and recaptured her lips with so much tenderness it seared her senses. She heard a moan escape, and knew it was her own body betraying her. Unable to fight the passionate assault any longer, her fingers clenched his shoulders as she leaned into him, kissing him with a hunger that belied her fears.

  Colin felt a calm invade the deep place that had grown tense with apprehension. No longer was Makenna fighting their connection, their physical attraction. She wanted him, and she was admitting it with her actions.

  His lips trailed a line of kisses to her ear and whispered, “I will never hurt you, Makenna, but I won’t deny that I want you. Very much. And I believe you want me, too.”

  Before she could respond, Colin pulled her body fully against his and kissed her mouth hungrily, thrusting his tongue deep into her velvet warmth. An elemental, dangerous sexual desire was building within him. Never before had his physical need for a woman been so raw and powerful. His power to control it was fading rapidly.

  Makenna moaned as he crushed her lips beneath his. The full force of his own hunger broke over her. She returned the kiss with sweet fervor. The inexplicable need to touch him, taste him everywhere was growing to irrepressible levels.

  Their first kiss by the loch revealed a need and a connection neither had realized existed. Tonight’s initial embrace had been one of gentle persuasion and soft exploration. This, however, was completely different.

  It was two souls, full of feverish desire, which had been deprived of fulfillment for far too long. The result was more intoxicating, more demanding, and far more blatantly erotic.

  A sense of urgency was growing beyond her understanding. Passion once buried deep inside her now roared wild and hot through her veins. Makenna instinctively pressed herself against Colin, seeking release from the unknown tension suffusing her body.

  Colin was burning with desire. Makenna’s unconstrained response ignited a fire within him that had been dormant too long. He was so hard he hurt, and his imagination was going wild, thinking of all the things he’d like to do to her. When she moved closer, he held her, letting her feel the long, hard length of his arousal.

  Immediately Makenna became aware of Colin’s physical need. She learned enough about mating from her sisters, but never did she dream a man could be so very hard, nor so large. The rigidity of his body completely contrasted the featherlight caresses of his fingers igniting a liquid fire in her veins. She waited for fear to rise and compel her to end the spell he was casting, but it never came. Instead, more than anything, she wanted to be with him, touch him, and know him in every way imaginable.

  Makenna’s small sighs and light shivers made Colin momentarily lose his composure. A considerable shudder of need racked him as a raging hunger challenged his defenses. He knew his size and strength frightened women. It had terrified Deirdre. He wouldn’t, he vowed silently to himself, lose control and frighten his virgin wife away.

  He released her lips and plucked the combs from her hair. Burying his face in the loose red curls, he reveled in the thick silky mass finally free of its constraints. His lips paused to nibble on the soft crevices of her neck before trailing to the base of her throat and below. His hand curved around her spine where the low back of her gown offered access to her silken skin. Slowly he unthreaded the ties to the bliaut until it ga
ve way and slid onto the floor.

  “So soft, so sweet.” He heard himself moan his thoughts aloud. “God, I need you, Makenna. I want you like I’ve wanted no other woman,” he purred against her ear.

  Her mouth finally free, Makenna asked, “Colin, what’s happening? I don’t know what’s wrong with me. My body feels to be on fire, and yet I crave more.”

  Colin cupped her cheek, his control almost shattered by her innocently whispered words. “Nothing’s wrong. Nothing has ever been more right. God, Makenna, don’t leave me. Please don’t tell me to go,” he begged, uttering his fears aloud.

  His eyes met hers, and Makenna knew she never would. “Not now, not ever.”

  The simple vow was heartfelt and real. Makenna meant every word. And suddenly his future seemed a lot less lonely. This strong-willed woman would no doubt argue and fight with him to their graves, but she wouldn’t ignore him. With Makenna, he would never be alone again.

  The knowledge released a surge of need Colin could no longer suppress. He yanked impatiently at his clothing and then, before she became aware of his nude state, he pulled her back into his embrace and drank hungrily from her lips.

  Makenna clutched at him, savoring the feel of his warm skin against her palms. Each kiss was deeper and more stirring than the last. She was barely aware of Colin removing the last of her clothing.

  Last night seeing her naked from a distance, Colin had been tortured to know what it would be like to feel such wild beauty in his arms. Now that he was actually touching her, she was even more magnificent than he had imagined.

  Unable to wait any longer, Colin scooped Makenna up in his arms and carried her to the bed. Settling her against the pillows, he lowered himself until he covered her body with his own.

  “Makenna.” He paused, waiting until her eyes focused on his. “Never wonder whom I am thinking of when we are together. For it will always be you. I know who I am with, and I make love to you because I want and desire you, not merely because you are my wife and I can. Trust me. Coupling is only fulfilling if each of us crave the other. If you tell me you do not want this, I will cease and let you return to your room. No one will be the wiser.”

  Makenna stared into his very blue eyes. His desire was unmistakable. The control he was exerting right now was tremendous and at the same time comforting. He was huge, but he would never hurt her physically. The danger of lying with Colin was the emotional havoc he could inflict on her heart. For two years, he had been at Lochlen and not once did she long for him as a man. Then yesterday all that changed. She was unprepared to be this attracted to him. It was more than just physical. And that’s what made it so terrifying.

  Nevertheless, she would not leave. If only for tonight, she would know what it was like to be loved, to be held in a man’s arms, and made to feel complete. They didn’t love each other, but they had something rare and maybe more important.

  “I don’t know why, Colin, or even how, but I trust you like no other. When you kiss me, I feel alive in ways I cannot explain. I’m both terrified and eager at the same time. More than anything, I want you to experience these same sensations. Teach me how to be a wife, Colin. I need you to want me,” she finished, her voice filled with quiet desperation.

  Colin squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to weep and laugh and cry out with joy. He reopened his eyes and lightly caressed her cheek with his knuckles. “I already do, Makenna McTiernay. I never expected to need anyone ever again. I have been empty for so long. God, Makenna, you make me realize what I have been searching for.” Cradling her face in his hands, he closed his mouth over hers. Slowly he devoured her lips as if he could consume the essence of her vibrant spirit.

  The sheer kiss was overwhelming. It nearly choked her, but instead of release, Makenna sought more. Her fingers bit into the hard contours of Colin’s muscled back as her body begged for something, but she knew not what. Makenna knew only that Colin was the sole man who could give it to her.

  Colin felt her back arch and her hips shift back and forth against his thighs. The movement caused his already aroused body to tighten even more with fierce, compelling need. He had to slow down and prepare her, for he had no doubt that he would be Makenna’s first lover. He wanted the experience to be perfect. Never would his young bride look outside their marriage for physical release.

  He held her hips still and finished ravishing her mouth before moving to reexplore her neck. Nothing had ever been this good, this perfect. Everything about her was so right. Her eagerness only intensified his pleasure. Each caress, response, whimper she uttered made him feel whole, like a complete man. It began last night. They had sparred, but the verbal exchange had revealed something quite unexpected, an understanding that she was just as empty and alone as he. Never would she feel that way again.

  Colin transferred his weight to his side, giving his fingers access to her soft round breasts. His mouth explored the contours of her shoulders as he cupped her pert little mounds and began to rub his callused thumbs against the hardened nipples. Makenna gasped, and Colin felt the shiver that went through her as if it had gone through himself.

  “God, Makenna, how I need you. Just let me touch you, taste you.” And then his mouth covered her breast, his tongue felt like hot velvet against her skin.

  Her breath quickened as his teeth lightly tantalized her taut nipple. He suckled, teasing it, making her squirm with want of him while his free hand moved over her abdomen and then lower. Lightly his fingers stroked the smooth flesh of her inner thigh. He was making her frantic. So many sensations were coursing through her veins it was akin to pain. “Colin, it’s too much!” Makenna cried out, inwardly hoping that he would refuse to stop.

  “Aye, bean cheile, it is, but trust me,” he answered as he turned his attention to the other breast.

  He felt one of her hands slip down to his thigh and sink her fingers into his hard, muscled buttock. Colin caught his breath, his whole body incredibly tight and heavy with barely controlled need. All instincts urged him to surge forward and drive himself into her.

  Makenna felt his manhood, hard and impatient against her thigh. The sensation triggered a heavy pulling in her lower body. She clung tightly to him, wanting so very much for his hand to touch the place throbbing with enormous need. She could feel the rapid staccato rhythm of Colin’s heartbeat and knew that his need matched her own.

  “Please, Colin, please,” she begged for what she knew not.

  Colin’s mouth reclaimed hers as he drew his fingers through the gathering dew between her legs. Never had he known the glory of making a woman react so completely to him. He was so hard he feared he might burst, but her lusty moans and hesitant caresses were food for the soul. He needed more.

  He played with the soft hairs of her apex, reveling in her honest reaction. He slowly introduced his finger between the velvety folds. Only when she arched her hips inviting him to know more did he invade the sweet, vulnerable warmth. She cried out, and Colin steadied her writhing body. His tongue mimicked his finger as he gradually eased it into the tight, hot channel. She was so wet and ready he couldn’t wait to lose himself in her.

  “My God, Makenna,” Colin groaned, knowing his control was about to snap. He slid one leg between hers, making more room to slide another finger in and back out of the snug passage. He explored her with exquisite care, finding all the secret, hidden places, and made them tingle with need. And with each touch, each discovery, his own need grew in return.

  Incredibly, Makenna wanted even more of him inside her, deeper, and lifted her hips against his hand. Her fingers splayed against his chest and then moved lower to touch him as intimately as he was touching her. Finding his flesh, her hand cradled his sex. She held him tight, moving the velvety skin up and down over the inner, rock-hard shaft.

  Colin had hoped to bring her to climax before he took her for the first time. He wished for her to know the thrill of explosion before the pain of knowing a man. But the second she touched him he knew he could wait no longer.

  His hands shook as he lifted her slightly and parted her legs to settle between them. He looked down at the fiery passion kindled in her beautiful green eyes. Her gorgeous red hair fanned the white pillow. She was beautiful. And she was all his. Never before had he felt so incredibly lucky.