Page 66 of The Highlander's Chosen Wife
Should I tell him?Should I tell him that I want him, that I’m ready for us to be husband and wife in truth?
The thought terrified her. She had been raised to be modest, careful, proper. But nothing about Declan or this castle felt proper. He was raw strength and quiet sorrow, a man made of contradiction, and she wanted him more fiercely than she dared admit.
Her hand shifted slightly on the blanket, her fingers brushing against the edge of his body. The faint touch sent a shiver down her spine. She withdrew quickly, afraid of what she might do if she didn’t stop herself.
He would think ye shameless.He’s still mournin’ his braither, still carryin’ that weight. Ye cannae burden him.
Yet even as she tried to reason it away, her body betrayed her, her pulse quickening with every breath he took.
Declan stirred then, rolling slightly onto his side so that he faced her. His eyes opened, dark, calm, and unreadable in the dimfirelight. For a long moment, he simply looked at her, saying nothing. The silence was heavy, thick with everything neither of them dared to speak aloud.
“Ye’re nae sleepin’ either,” he said at last, his voice roughened by the late hour.
She swallowed hard, forcing a faint smile. “Too much on me mind,” she said softly.
He nodded slowly, his gaze lingering on her face. “Aye,” he murmured. “I ken the feelin’.”
Their eyes met, holding there, and Isabelle felt her heart flutter wildly. The warmth of his gaze made her want to speak, to confess everything that burned inside her, but her courage faltered.
But as Declan’s hand brushed lightly against hers beneath the covers, just a faint, fleeting touch, Isabelle realized he already knew her lustful thoughts. She blushed pink.
After a long silence, she turned toward him, her fingers brushing through the dark strands of his hair.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice low and trembling. “For bein’ silent these past days. I shouldnae have shut ye out.”
Declan opened his eyes, his gaze warm despite the shadows. “Aye, lass,” he murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “Ye’veevery right to be angry. I ken I can be a stubborn man.” His hand came up to trace her cheek, rough thumb grazing her soft skin. “But I’d rather face yer words than yer silence. That near killed me.”
Her eyes softened, guilt and longing mingling in her chest.
“I was frightened,” she admitted quietly. “After we were… together that night. Ye turned so cold the next day, I thought…” She bit her lip, hesitating. “I thought ye didnae want me anymore.”
Declan’s expression changed instantly. He sat up, eyes blazing with disbelief.
“What nonsense is this?” he said, his voice husky. “I’ll never nae want ye, Isabelle. Ye drive me mad with desire every time ye walk past, every time ye breathe me name.”
His hand cupped her face, his thumb brushing her lower lip as though to prove his words.
Her breath hitched, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. The heat between them seemed to hum in the air, heavy and alive.
“Then I dinnae want to wait any longer,” she whispered. “I’m ready, Declan.”
He froze for a moment, searching her eyes. “Are ye certain, lass?” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “I’d never rush ye into somethin’ ye dinnae want.”
Her hand found his, fingers twining tightly. “I’m certain,” she said, her voice steady despite her racing heart. “I want this. I want ye. I want to consummate this marriage.”
“Ye’re so bonnie,” he murmured, voice husky and low. “Every time I look at ye, I cannae breathe right.”
His thumb traced the line of her jaw, slow and lingering, and she shivered under the weight of it.
Her fingers came up to rest over his heart, feeling its strong, steady beat beneath her palm.
“I dinnae ken how ye do this to me,” she whispered. “Ye make me whole body feel alive.”
He smiled faintly, his forehead pressing to hers. “Then we’re the same, lass. Ye’ve had a spell on me since the moment ye set foot in this castle.”
He cupped her cheek, and his mouth found hers, soft and searching. The kiss deepened as she melted against him, her hands sliding up the firm plane of his shoulders.
His warmth enveloped her, his breath mingling with hers as they lingered there, lips brushing, parting, returning. Isabelle felt theworld shrink to that moment, their breathing, their hearts, the closeness between them.
