Page 63 of A Flawed Scotsman

The cool air felt wonderful against their heated faces, but Ruari didn’t take time to relish it. Instead, he pulled his wife against him and took her mouth with his. Esme wrapped her arms around his neck and when he deepened the kiss and cupped her bottom, she moaned.

“I want ye,” she whispered breathlessly. “Make me yers, here, now.”

There wasn’t much privacy, but Ruari wasn’t about to argue. He walked her just a few feet away into the shadow of a small tree. Once there, he lifted her, and she wrapped her legs about him.

Somehow, he managed to free himself while holding her against the keep wall. “Be still,” he said when Esme wiggled with impatience.

Guiding his hardness, he thrust into her and she let out a loud gasp. “Oh.”

While holding her in place, he moved his hips back and forth, sliding in and out of her as she nibbled at his neck. Her bites and nibbles made it hard to focus past the need to crest. Ruari wanted to stay alert to ensure they were not discovered. Anything more than what happened between them was forgotten when she flexed around him, her body constricting and loosening around his shaft.

“Mmm,” Esme exclaimed. As she climaxed, she bit into his neck, the pain sending him to join her, his legs barely keeping them upright. Flashes of light formed as everything turned dark around them. It took Herculean effort to keep quiet as a second wave hit him so hard that, this time, he stumbled.

“Do not fall,” Esme said as she attempted to put her legs down. But he held fast, still inside her.

Once again, he pressed against her and took her mouth as the last shudders of release ebbed. If he lived another century, he’d never tire of the way his wife managed to take him to realms he’d never known before.

Ruari broke the kiss and looked into her beautiful, brown eyes. “Ye are beautiful, Esme.”

Her eyes widened and her lips curved, giving her the appearance of a satisfied kitten. “I…”

“Is someone there?” a woman’s voice sounded.

Ruari withdrew and pushed Esme to stand in front of him while he fastened his breeches.

“It is Ruari and me, Aunt Dahlia,” Esme said while smoothing the front of her gown. “We needed…fresh air.”

The woman came into view, her gaze moving from Esme to Ruari. “I see. It is quite…pleasant out tonight.” She looked up to the sky and Esme took the opportunity to run her hands over her hair.

“Yer father is about to toast to yer marriage before sending ye both off to bed.” Esme’s aunt gave them a dubious look. “I presume the wedding night may have already begun.”

“Ah,” Esme exclaimed and looked to Ruari who shrugged. “We were just…”

The woman chuckled. “I have lived long enough to know when a couple has just had a moment of enjoyment. Come along. I suggest ye take a moment to run yer fingers through yer hair, young man.” The woman gave Ruari a pointed look.

Ruari couldn’t help but grin as he did as he was told. Indeed, his hair was quite disheveled. “Let me look at ye,” he said to Esme. Her cheeks had brightened to a hot pink. “Ye look perfect.”

“I do?” She obviously didn’t believe him. “Goodness, what if everyone suspects when we walk inside?”

“We have been married for more than a sennight. No one will be shocked that we enjoy each other.”

With a huff, she whirled around. “I will enter first. Please wait a few beats before appearing.”

“I did not know that I married such a pious young woman,” Ruari teased.

Esme shot him a warning look over her shoulder and stalked toward the great room.

As instructed, he waited a bit before entering. When he joined Esme and her brother, Keithen’s eyes were pinned to Ruari’s neck. He then turned to Esme. “Ye should not bite him so hard when joining.”

Ruari bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing when Esme’s eyes grew wide and her face turned a startling shade of red.

“Honestly, Keithen, could ye not have said that in private?” she hissed and then elbowed Ruari. “Cover it up.”

“I am not sure where it is. How, exactly, am I to do it?”

“Ugh!” She took his hand and pulled him toward the high board.

Cups where pushed into his and Esme’s hands. The laird held his tankard up and spoke of marriage and vows.