Highland Dove (New Year's) - Elizabeth Rose Page 0,1

older than Mari, but had been married for years now and already had two children. This sometimes made Mari feel as if she were far behind in marrying and raising a family.

“What are ye afraid of, lass?” Duncan’s dark eyes stared deeply into hers, as if he were looking for answers. How could she admit to him that seeing her sister go through so much pain in birthing the babies had her shook up as well? After all, kissing led to coupling, and coupling led to birthing babies and experiencing lots of pain. Was she really ready for all this? Or was she being too cautious and downright silly?

Duncan appeared dangerous in a sexy sort of way and it excited her and somehow managed to push away her fears. As her body warmed, a wetness gathered between her thighs, accompanied by a pulsating within her core that she’d never experienced before. She had to have him!

“I willna hurt ye,” he promised in a mere whisper. Longing showed in his eyes. Mari struggled with her decision.

“I ken ye’d never hurt me,” she told him, wetting her lips with her tongue, savoring the taste of his essence, never wanting to forget it. “I guess I’m just afraid I might no’ . . . please ye. And if no’ . . . ye willna want to make me yer wife after all.” It wasn’t just this but, still, it was one of her concerns. Mari had a habit of worrying. Her sister always told her she was too cautious and needed to live for the day. Mayhap she was right. Still, Mari struggled with making the right decision.

His deep chuckle almost unnerved her at first, until she looked up and saw the care and understanding in his eyes. He reached over his shoulders, pushing back his long, black hair into a queue. His strong nose, high chiseled cheekbones, and a smattering of dark whiskers on his jaw made him ruggedly handsome. Her desire for him grew out of control.

Mari and Duncan had been close since childhood even though he was five years her senior. Their fathers were good friends, and often visited each other’s clan with their families in tow. Mari’s heart had been broken the day Duncan’s father betrothed him to another girl and he wed her when Mari was only twelve. But Duncan’s new wife died suddenly from an illness before she could give him an heir. Mari was the one who was there to comfort him and help him through it. With her love and understanding, she’d made it possible for Duncan to push past his pain and disappointment. She and Duncan were good friends. They always had been and always would be. But now – now they were more than friends and soon to become husband and wife. Her dream was finally about to come true.

“Ye could never displease me, love,” he told her, reaching out to cradle her cheek in his big hand. It was surprising that such a rugged, hardened warrior could be so gentle. Then again, she’d always been able to see that side of Duncan, although he didn’t like to show it. “Ye ken I’d never force ye to do anythin’ ye were no’ ready to do. I’m sorry for puttin’ ye in that position, Mari.” He pushed a lock of her long, red hair behind her ear with his other hand. Mari let out a deep sigh and longingly leaned in to his caress. She felt safe and secure in Duncan’s embrace and never wanted to lose that feeling.

“I love ye, Duncan,” she whispered, her body trembling with want.

“I’ll wait for ye, Mari,” he promised her in a low voice. “I’ll be faithful to ye like I’ve been for the last two years since we’ve been together as a couple. And now that we’ve proclaimed our love for each other, nothin’ can tear us apart. I’ll wait for ye, and when I return, we will have twice as much to celebrate together.”

“I dinna want ye to leave,” she admitted. “I’m afraid somethin’ bad will happen and ye willna return.” Courage filled her to be so bold as to say this to him directly. But she needed to mention it because she wanted him to know that she didn’t ever want to lose the man she loved.

“I have a duty to my clan and country,” he reminded her. “I have to go. But I promise ye, I will return. So dinna fash yerself about it.