He had been the first to truly taste Makenna’s soft lips, and the experience had made him feel powerful and very much a man. It also terrified him.
All morning he had wondered whether he should once again refuse to marry Makenna, but this time for her sake. Deirdre had been terrified of mating because of his size and strength. The protectiveness he felt for his dear wife had overruled his need to make anything but tender love to her the few times they had joined. But with Makenna, he doubted he would have such control. His desire to take her, drive into her, possess her, and make her totally and completely his again and again frightened him. And he had no doubt that if he ever did lose control, it would terrify Makenna and end their inexplicable, passionate connection. Nevertheless, Colin sensed that their coming together was inevitable.
She was the exact opposite of Deirdre. Far from being fragile, Makenna was all fire and spirit, and yet he still wanted to protect her. Rather than quench her zeal for life, he wanted to guard it. And all morning he feared that meant guarding her from him.
As the hour drew nearer for him to marry for the second time, Colin resolved to see it through. He knew he would never love Makenna. He doubted he would ever again risk his heart to any woman. No, he would not vow love, but he would promise his protection and by doing so, it would stretch to the whole Dunstan clan.
Now, as he looked down the small chapel pathway as Makenna walked slowly toward him, all of the morning’s doubts faded. Never before had he seen Makenna look so beautiful, soft, and feminine. She captivated him. She was not beautiful in a traditional sense like his wife or even his sister-in-laws, but in a very powerful way all the same. Her athleticism had given her a firm, thin frame and command over her movements. And though he never recognized it before, Makenna was incredibly graceful.
The colored light from the stained glass windows caught the rich highlights of her upswept hair. The small tiara made of hand-painted golden beads intermixed with blue and green gems completed the look. Normally hidden behind layers of red curls, the delicate nape of Makenna’s neck was now visible, revealing a soft, vulnerable curve begging to be repeatedly kissed. The dark gown complemented Makenna’s fiery features and highlighted the pale flawlessness of her skin. Unlike the typical V-necked bliauts of most women, Makenna wore an off-the-shoulder gown. Its cowl neck was adorned with gold embroidery that matched the stitching on the cuffs of her tight-fitting sleeves. A similarly embroidered band settled low on her hips, accentuating their swaying movement.
Dunlop fought to keep from staring. Makenna was stunning, mesmerizing everyone in the overly full chapel. He quickly scanned the crowd of interested onlookers. Though Colin and Makenna had only just agreed to Alexander’s demand for their union, the ceremony had been scheduled for almost a month. Neighboring lairds interested in seeing the vows or meeting the much-talked-about Colin McTiernay transformed the planned small ceremony into an event that would be talked about for months to come. One very interested visitor was Leon MacCuaig.
“Do you see MacCuaig, Colin?” Dunlop murmured.
“Aye,” Colin lied. He couldn’t take his eyes off Makenna, who looked to be growing more nervous with each step.
“I do not like how he is openly staring at your bride,” Dunlop said lowly through gritted teeth.
The comment got Colin’s attention. He searched for the young southern neighbor. The man was considered extremely good looking by the fairer sex and had a reputation for being deadly when fighting one-on-one with a sword.
Dunlop was correct. The man wore an intense expression of anger and possession. Colin’s eyes narrowed. He was about to order Drake to remove MacCuaig from the chapel when he heard Dunlop exhale a low “This can’t be good….”
Colin immediately transferred his attention back to Makenna, who had inexplicably halted halfway down the path. She was scanning the crowd, her eyes darting here and there, landing on no face longer than a fraction of a second. Then, unfathomably, she turned to him, as if she instinctively knew Colin could and would save her from this fated decision. Her green eyes were dark and large with terror. Colin had never seen Makenna look anything but confident; convinced she knew what she was doing. But every hesitant breath, each gulp she took, and the flickers of her tongue across her bottom lip, forecast what was about to happen. She was about to flee.
“Do not do or say anything,” Colin ordered his commanders without removing his eyes off Makenna. He took a step off the small raised platform and moved toward her. For reasons he could not explain or fathom, last night had forged a bond between them. A bond that transcended their confrontational relationship into something he didn’t yet comprehend, but it enabled him to understand exactly why Makenna stood frozen in terror.
Makenna watched as Colin advanced toward her. Moments ago, glancing side to side seeing the sea of faces, some familiar and some not, she could feel the pressure of all those present upon her. Her father needed a leader for their clan, her people expected her to run their castle, her neighbors questioned their alliances, but worst of all was Colin. He wanted a wife. A real wife in every sense of the word. In just a few steps, her ability to have any say in her life would be over. Panic filled her, causing her to stop, unable to flee in fear or find the courage to continue. Somehow, Colin understood, and he was coming to her rescue.
He stopped in front of her and fought an urge to stroke the softness of her cheek. Instead, he clutched the sword hooked to his belt and leaned closer so that only his lips touched her ear.
As he moved closer to whisper, Makenna had never felt so small, nor he so huge. Yet she didn’t feel fear, or even his normal arrogance. Just understanding. He came close and his breath on her cheek was warm and reassuring. “Makenna, I will make you a good husband, but I will understand and support your decision if you do not want to do this. I’ll never force you into something you don’t want to do.”
Makenna closed her eyes. The words were whispered low, only for her. An unexpected peace washed over her that she had not felt in a long time—perhaps ever. The rich tones of his baritone voice had rung with sincerity. Colin gave her a promise. It was not offered out of desperation or coercion, but from understanding.
He knew.
He knew how much freedom meant to her. How much she feared being caged, physically or spiritually. How terrified she was of being married.
Makenna raised her green eyes and watched his blue ones swirl with emotion. Colin had always seemed so remote, rigid, without emotion. Suddenly she knew his hardness was just a mask he wore. He, too, was filled with a myriad of questions, uncertainties, and doubts.
She wanted to tell him that she knew and understood his worries and his pains. That she understood that he was a strong, proud man who had been second all of his life. Second to his brother, the famed McTiernay laird. Second to her father. And now he had to live with his second choice in marriage.
He needed to be first to someone, somewhere. He needed to know that his needs, dreams, and desires were important, and suddenly Makenna realized they were…to her. Silently, she vowed, “I may not be your first choice for marriage, Colin McTiernay, but you are mine.”
Colin did not completely comprehend what had transpired between them in the few seconds they stood staring at each other in silence. Makenna, always so guarded in the presence of others, now stood unafraid, trusting him. She was a woman aching for passion and full of self-doubt. She needed a man not to tame her as Dunlop suggested, but to reassure her and ignite the fires smoldering within. A man who could do that would be richly rewarded.