The Condemned Highlander (Highland Intrigue Trilogy 2)

He took it from her and finished it and seeing her drift in thought, asked, “What suddenly troubles you?”

“Bliss,” she said on a sigh. “Do you think Bliss has any chance of having Lord Rannick get her with child? I fear what she might suffer if she fails to deliver what she promised.”

“I tried to tell Lawler that it was useless. Rannick would never plant his seed in any woman again. I believe he agreed with me. Though he did not voice it, he did say he had orders that he must obey.”

“I have worried what Lord Rannick might do to my sister and now I wonder what will happen to her if she does not get with child.”

“Lord Lochlann demands obedience, though Lady Helice, Rannick’s mother, often tempers her husband’s demands. I do not think she will allow any harm to come to Bliss if she should fail to get with child,” Brogan assured her.

Annis rested her head against her husband’s arm. “We have never been parted, Elysia, Bliss, and I, until now. It is strange not to have them near, not to see them every day, talk with them, laugh with them… I miss them.”

“I do not know what the future holds for us all, but I will give you my word that if for any reason either of your sisters are unable to make their home with us, I will make certain you see them often when all this is done.”

She raised her head and smiled. “You are a good husband.” She poked him lightly in the side. “I thought for sure if we were forced to wed it would be a constant battle.”

He kissed her brow. “You would have realized soon enough that you loved me.”

She laughed softly. “There you go thinking highly of yourself again.”

“I am just too adorable not to love,” he said with a wicked grin and a wink.

Her smile faded and she placed her hand upon his cheek. “I do love you, Brogan. No matter what happens, always remember that.”

All he could think was that she sounded as if they would soon go into battle, and she was worried she would not survive. He cupped her chin tightly in his hand. “We will live a long life together. I will have it no other way.”

“Aye, I pray it will be so, but you still need to know that whatever happens in our life, I love you now and forever.”

His lips came down on hers with a fierce possessiveness, as if somehow his kiss could share the curse with her, and death would not touch her. They would be together always, never separated, then it struck him. He eased the kiss to rest his brow to hers. He was being selfish. He would not see her suffer as he had. He loved her too much.

He grinned. “I love you more.”

She poked his chest. “I think not.”

He whispered in her ear, “I know so and I will show you.” His hand went to the back of her neck to hold it firm as his mouth covered hers and his arm went around her waist, just before he dropped back on the bed, taking her with him.

The kiss was a prelude of things to come, and passion was quick to stir in Annis.

“I want you naked this time,” he said, and he yanked her up on her feet, quickly shedding her garments before yanking his off and tossing them aside. His hands caressed her breasts, ran down along her slender waist and over the curve of her hip and gripped her backside to push her against his hard manhood. Then he kissed her slow and easy before lifting her in his arms to lay her gently on the bed.

It was a slow coming together, each exploring the other with tender touches and kisses.

Annis’s hands roamed with curiosity and love. She had always cringed at the thought of making love and she had avoided thinking about how it would be like to touch her husband’s naked body. She had convinced herself it would not be necessary. She would simply submit as a dutiful wife did and lay beneath her husband until he was done.

How wrong she had been about that, but then she had not counted on Brogan.

She wanted to touch him, explore every part of him, put her mark on every part of him. She gripped his stiff shaft and looked him in his gorgeous blue eyes. “Mine. Only mine.”

He loved that she lay claim to him, that she enjoyed exploring him, that she freely loved him.

“Always,” he whispered and kissed her, enjoying every gentle caress that tempted and sparked their passion.

Brogan had never lingered with a woman. He had wanted no attachments. He would make certain their coupling was satisfying for them both, but in the end, there had always been something missing.