Page 57 of A Scot on Duchess Square
He released her hands to let them roam all over him while he plundered her mouth with wanton need. His hands roamed all over her exquisite body that responded pleasurably to his touch.
He cupped her nicely rounded bottom, wanting to lift her up against him, but that would hurt her ribs and bring a rude end to this moment of rapture that he had no intention of ending anytime soon.
Her hands slid up and down his arms and along his shoulders, as though she needed to memorize the contours of his body as desperately as he wished to memorize hers. Her fingers lightly brushed along the spray of hair across his chest.
He cupped her breast and felt the bud of it swell in response as he slid his thumb across it.
“Bram,” she moaned, suddenly pressing herself so tightly against him that he could not maintain a proper handhold, although he surely felt the pillowy softness of her ample mounds against his flesh, and they felt awfully good.
That she yearned for this closeness delighted him, but what he truly wanted to do was get his mouth on every delicious inch of her, taste her and make her quiver against his tongue.
Thebongof a hallway clock penetrated his inflamed senses and had him putting an end to this kiss before it spiraled out of control.
“Miranda…” He could not put a sentence together, just grunted and groaned like a bull in heat.
She sighed in response. “I know…and I had better get back to my bedchamber before your towel falls off.”
He chuckled as he released her, and then gave her cheek a light caress before he stepped away. “Let me make certain no one is in the hallway.” While she waited, her eyes big and soft on him, he cautiously opened his door. “Aye, all clear.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, casting him a delicate smile.
“Thankye, lass,” he replied, and immediately wanted to kick himself. What sort of a response was that? It sounded as though he would toss a few coins her way before sending her off. But she had him turned upside down, his breaths still ragged and his skin too hot. “Sorry, I’m no’ smooth with this sort of thing. But I liked kissing ye. Hope to do it again soon.”
She choked back a laugh. “Oh, Bram. Stop or you’ll have me swooning.”
“Dinna mock me. I’m no good with flowery words.”
Her eyes were alight and her smile was gentle. “I do not need flowery words from you. You are perfect just as you are.”
He gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “So are ye, my sweet lass.”
She slipped under his arm and hurried next door.
He watched her go in. Only then did he close his door and prepare to dress.
“Blessed saints,” he said, whipping off his towel and reaching for his trousers. “I need to marry that girl.”
Chapter Eleven
Miranda felt exultantwalking into the dining room on the Duke of Solway’s arm. He had gone out of his way to dress in formal attire and had even attached several medals on his chest to convey the impression of elite power that few in England could ever match.
She had no idea what those medals represented, but some were in the shape of a cross and had jewels encrusted in them. Those probably proclaimed his appointment to some elite royal order in honor of his outstanding contributions to the protection of king and country.
He did strike her as a man of outstanding valor. He was fierce, brave, and yet not a cold man by nature, as Miranda had quickly learned after mere days in his company. The scorching kisses she had received from him proved he was not icy at all.
He had certainly done a good job of thawing her. He had only to look at her and she melted. Merciful heavens, his last kiss had left her wild and practically climbing and clawing his brawny body.
She chased away the thought of what might have happened had they continued. She needed to concentrate on this evening’s supper.
Solway had been full of compliments when he’d come to their door to escort her and Gwenys to the dining room, givinga long, low whistle upon catching sight of them. “Ye ladies look beautiful.”
Gwenys had beamed. Miranda had thanked him and told him he looked quite dashing himself, which he had. She could not take her eyes off him because he was that strikingly handsome.
“Are ye ready to conquer those dragons?” he asked, holding out his arm to escort her to their table.
She nodded, hoping to convey a confidence she did not really feel. But Solway appeared to have his wits about him and looked magnificently daunting.
The frosty look he cast across the room toward the Lawson party could turn the candle flames on the massive chandeliers above them to ice. Quite a remarkable change from the heat he had ignited in her with his fiery kisses.
