Chapter Twenty
Seona could not believe Keegan’s sincerely spoken words—will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?
He dangled what she longed for most right in front of her. Something that would make her life joyously worth living. Something she’d never imagined possible before she’d met Keegan. The one thing she feared she would never have.
’Twould be her dream come true. But naught was more real than the look of sincerity and intense passion in Keegan’s eyes. Her tears welled and spilled over, sliding down her face. Her knees grew weak and she knelt with him. “Keegan, aye, you ken I will. But I fear my father will never allow it.”
Keegan released a breath, brushed her tears away, then kissed her forehead. “Nevertheless… I’m going to ask him. And I wanted to be certain ’twas what you wanted.” He rose to his feet and helped her stand.
“Indeed, I wish it. More than anything.”
“I’m not a laird; I own no property. I hold no aristocratic titles,” he said, his tone a bit dismal.
“Do you think that matters to me?”
“I know not.”
She shook her head and pressed her hand to his heart. “What matters to me is what’s in here,” she whispered. “I know you will be a good husband. The best any woman could ever hope for.”
“I’m uncertain of that, but I will protect you and cherish you, Seona. I love you, lass.”
“And I love you,” she whispered, her throat tightening.
He lifted his hand to lightly stroke her cheek, then bent and kissed her lips, at first sweet and light. But with his soft moan it shifted to something deeper and more profound, a melding of their souls. She locked her arms around his neck as she poured herself into the kiss, accepting everything he would give her.
“Mmm, lass.” His hands slid to her hips, only the thin material of her smock separating their skin. When he gently caressed her derriere, carnal yearnings rushed through her. Wanting him closer, she pushed her breasts against his chest.
A low curse escaped him. His tongue teased hers, provoking, inflaming her desires to a higher level.
Gradually, he dragged her linen smock upward, wadding it into his hands. Holding her breath, she could hardly wait to feel his hands on her. When he finally reached the hem of the garment, his warm, rough hands on her bare sensitive skin felt glorious.
“Oh, Keegan,” she breathed.
“Seona, you feel so good,” he whispered against her ear, his hot breath giving her delicious chills. “I want to see you in the candlelight. Will you let me?”
“Aye.” She would’ve agreed to anything he wanted.
He pulled back and slipped the garment over her head, then tossed it. She drew in a sharp breath, shivering both from the cool air and from Keegan seeing her completely naked in the dim glow of the candle. She knew she should feel ashamed of her sinfully wanton behavior, allowing Keegan to do such a thing, but this felt right. ’Twas almost as if he was already hers. When she gave him her heart, she gave him all of herself.
Would he make love to her now? Did she want him to?
Standing back, he trailed his gaze over her from her eyes to her toes and back again. He released a harsh breath. “Saints, Seona, you are the loveliest vision I have ever beheld,” he whispered.
She hoped he would disrobe as well. Instead, he drew her close again and kissed a leisurely trail down her neck, bewitching her with heated yearnings.
He brushed his mouth across her breast, his short whisker stubble rasping her skin. She held her breath in expectation. He kissed her nipple, then drew it into his mouth. Desire and a sharp need for him stabbed her core. She gasped, holding on ’round his neck, cradling his head closer and supporting herself.
“A ghràidh,” he murmured, his breath hot against her sensitive skin.
My love. His endearment thrilled her.
Her derriere in his hands, he lifted her and moved across the room. He laid her softly onto the bed, still lavishing her breasts with abundant kisses. Her hands tangled in his hair, holding his head.
Though she felt beyond wicked, reveling in these exciting sensations, it felt natural for Keegan to be doing these things to her.
He kissed down her stomach gradually. “You smell so good.” At her navel, he dipped his tongue inside.
Shivers covered her. She could not believe it when he moved lower still and kissed the mound at the apex of her thighs. Though she knew he should do no such thing, she hadn’t the willpower to stop him. Whatever he wished to do would be better than the last thing. He constantly surprised her with sensual wonders she had not known existed.
When he pushed her thighs apart, she grasped onto the sheets beneath her. He would make love to her, and aye, she was ready. She forced her eyes open to see what he would do. She was disappointed to see he still had not removed his plaid or his shirt. Instead, he lay half on the bed, the lower half of his tall body sprawled toward the floor.
He dropped his head and touched her in a most illicit way. Nay, not a touch. A lick… against a highly sensitive and intimate spot. She jerked in surprise, but at the same time her hips lifted, seeking more. And he gave it. Another lick that sent splendid sensations ricocheting through her.
“Oh,” she breathed. She had thought his fingers stroking that place were amazing. His wet, hot tongue caressing it was beyond description, both slick and velvety. She turned her head aside to muffle her moan in the pillow. She was shocked at herself and the way her body moved with such wanton undulations, pushing more firmly to his mouth. Surely this was a most sinful activity but she could not bring herself to make him stop. Nay, ’twas too sublime, the heat rushing through her making her lightheaded.
She felt her hips thrust upward, toward him. He groaned, vibrating her flesh, then his tongue flickered over her. At the same time he pushed a finger inside her.
Again, her body acted of its own volition, her hips shoving toward him. Her breath hissed through her teeth. “Keegan, I beg of you…”
“Aye, lass. Take your pleasure.”
He was giving her pleasure; that was a certainty. The tip of his tongue tormented her and drove her mad. Her body bowed upwards. She didn’t even try to control it anymore. Isobel had warned her about this. She had not thought it could happen. Not like this.
Seona grasped the pillow beneath her head and dragged it over her face to muffle her gasps and cries for she feared she would not maintain control much longer. Nay, the sensations were becoming overwhelming. She felt suspended, dangling from some cliff face. But there was no fear. Nay. She knew she could fly if she let go.
His fingers wiggled against her overly sensitized flesh and his tongue slid back and forth, then in a circle. A sort of pleasurable insanity seized her, just like last time. She did not understand it but she let go and rode it like a violent gale storm. The pleasure crashed and rolled.
Once the intense sensations ebbed, she dragged the pillow off and gasped for air. She was so spent she could barely lift her eyelids.
Keegan raised his head and stroked her thighs. “That was beautiful.” He kissed her knee, then placed a playful bite on her thigh.
He moved up beside her and pulled her tightly into his arms. He tucked her head beneath his chin and stroked her back and her hip. She loved being held in his arms, and the way he always smelled clean and manly.
Why couldn’t they lay this way every night? ’Twould be paradise.
“Keegan, I don’t understand what happened,” she said, hoping he would explain a few things.
“Did you enjoy it?” The smile was evident in his voice.
How could he ask such a thing? “I think you ken I did.”