Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

The Mother Abbess smiled, pleased with Sorrell’s intention. “On the other side of the abbey and to the front. Any of the sisters would be pleased to show you the way.”

“Thank you. I will be sure to ask if necessary,” Sorrell said and entered the room.

Ruddock turned a questioning eye on his wife as soon as he shut the door. “Now tell me why you really wanted to know where the chapel is located.”

Sorrell dropped her cloak on the lone chair and held her chilled hands out to the warmth of the fire. “I wanted to know how far the chapel was from this room so when you seduced me and had me moaning in pleasure, I would know whether I could be heard or not.” She shook a finger at him. “And don’t play the innocent with me. You know full well the promise you made was no promise at all. A good husband and adhere to his wife’s wishes is what you said when what you meant was you’d do all you could to have me wishing you’d make love to me. Of course, I’d surrender and you would have kept your promise.”

“You have too sharp a wit for me, wife,” Ruddock said with a laugh, closing the small distance between them with three easy steps.

“A good thing for you to remember,” Sorrell warned as he took her in his arms.

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, then another, and another, until the kisses became hungrier and more demanding.

Sorrell pushed at his chest as she tried to end the kiss, though it did little good. It did, however, had Ruddock halting the kiss long enough to give her a questioning look.

“Mother Abbess is sending wine and I prefer the sister who delivers it doesn’t find us naked in bed.”

“Why? It’s perfectly normal to find a husband and wife in bed,” Ruddock said, keeping his arms around her waist.

“In their bedchamber,” she countered and took a breath. “Please, Ruddock, the more you kiss me, hold me, the more I want you, and the less control I have over it.”

The way his true name spilled off her lips in a soft plea jolted his senses, not to mention how easily he was able to arouse her.

He heard her sigh of relief or was it regret, when he released her and took a step away. “We will not have much time. Bedtime is upon the abbey and strict rules abide here.”

“It doesn’t matter if it is quick. I only know I need to feel the joy of you inside me.”

Ruddock rubbed at his chin as he turned away from her, her words stirring his manhood that had been turning hard rapidly. He was quick to turn back again, pointing his finger at her. “I will have you slow and easy one night soon, wife, and have you know the pleasure leisurely lovemaking brings.”

She shivered with the thought. “I look forward to it.”

A soft knock sounded at the door and Ruddock was quick to open it and take the tray from the sister standing there red-faced. He sat it on the small table next to the chair and went to fill both goblets.

Her hand on his arm stopped him.

“No, there is no time to waste. We will have it afterwards.”

Sorrell went to the bed, dropped down on it, spread her legs and lifted her garments.

As inviting as his wife was, it reminded Ruddock of the days he would give a willing woman, or pay one, for a quick poke, and he shook his head. “This is not how I want it between us.”

“It is either this or nothing and that I cannot bear to think about,” she said and held her arms out to him. “I love you, want you, need you, isn’t that enough?”

That she sounded like she pleaded with him tore at his heart. He went to her, reached down, grabbed her by the arm, and yanked her up off the bed, scooping her up in his arms. Then he brought them both down to lie side-by-side on the narrow bed.

“You should know that I wake with you in my thoughts and sleep with you in my dreams. You are always there. You never leave me and I never want you to. I could make love to you endlessly and never grow tired of you.”

Tell her. Tell her you love her. She deserves to know.

Something stopped him from listening to himself. Something buried deep inside him.

“That is good because I am a demanding wife in bed,” Sorrell said with a chuckle before giving him a kiss.

“Then we will do good, since I am a demanding husband in bed.”

She whispered near his lips. “Show me.”

He wished he had time to do just that, but he didn’t. He moved off her and she turned to lie on her back, spread her legs and to bring her knees up as he slipped to position himself between them. He knew she would be wet and ready for him, and that grew him harder, and he slid into her with ease.